Image: UFV Chilliwack / An undated photo of edge gas absorption heat pumps (GAHP) at UFV Chilliwack’s Trades and Technology Centre (TTC).

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Greenhouse Gas

New heat pumps to reduce UFV Chilliwack’s carbon footprint, provide system for students to explore

Nov 15, 2024 | 3:31 PM

CHILLIWACK – Seven pumps that use natural gas to operate and capture heat from the outdoors are now a fixture at the University of the Fraser Valley’s Trades and Technology Centre (TTC) in Chilliwack.

The devices are not only expected to reduce the campus carbon footprint but also serve as a demonstration centre for those interested in exploring gas absorption heat pumps (GAHP).

Dean of the Faculty of Applied and Technical Studies, Dr. Teresa Kisilevich, believes GAHPs will provide a complex, real-world system for students to explore.

“As we prepare students for careers in trades, hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology is critical,” Kisilevich explained.

“By integrating these heat pumps into electrical, plumbing, or drafting curricula, students can engage directly with technology that addresses today’s urgent demand for sustainable energy solutions.”

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The technology is typically used in commercial and industrial settings, lowering annual operational costs and energy use in addition to limiting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Energy provider FortisBC says a 2019-2020 pilot program reported that participants who installed the equipment saw a 35 per cent reduction in energy use.

The UFV installation is the largest FortisBC has ever done and is one of the largest across Canada.

“We are excited to have students, contractors, builders, engineers, and others learning more about this technology, and we are proud to partner with an organization that understands the impacts of energy efficiency and the benefits it brings,” said [Director’s Name], FortisBC Director of Conservation and Energy Management.