Energy efficiency and GHG reduction initiatives

The City of Airdrie is committed to energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Our Council endorsed an Energy and Reduction Strategy in December 2023, with the goal of reducing corporate emissions 5 per cent per year over the next five years for a portfolio of 27 municipal buildings.
Corporate Energy and GHG Reduction Strategy (pdf)

The City is upgrading facility lighting to LED, lowering heating setpoints during unoccupied hours and using heat recovery ventilation and more efficient heating systems. For every lifecycle project, we look for the most effective and cost-efficient ways to reduce long-term utility and operating costs. We also avoid replacing equipment with the same type of system when it would lock in higher emissions for years to come.

Since 2019 the City has received $1,965,000 in funding from the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (MCCAC) programs and the Government of Alberta to support 16 energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. In 2025, the City secured  funding of $105,000 to help with the implementation of six energy upgrades at various facilities.

2024 and 2025 outcomes:

In 2024, the City achieved significant corporate GHG reductions, with 979 tons GHGs less than the baseline of 13,165 tons GHGs (seven per cent reduction) across 27 municipal facilities.

In 2025, the City achieved corporate GHG reductions of 770 tonnes GHGs, a six per cent reduction from the prior year.

In 2023 and 2024, the City installed a high efficiency ice system (REALice) at Ron Ebbesen Twin Arena and Genesis Place. The REALice system removes air bubbles found in cold water, allowing for strong, smooth ice to be produced without the use hot water. The projects were largely funded by the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre's Programs and will result in an annual reduction of 64 tons of greenhouse gas emissions and an estimated $12,000 per year in natural gas and electricity savings. 

The City has upgraded lighting systems in several of its facilities to light-emitting diodes (LED). LED lights use less electricity and produce less heat, which means the buildings don't need as much air conditioning in the summer and have a lower power demand. 

More recently, the City has been installing interior and exterior programmable and dimmable LED fixtures. These upgrades have helped the City save money on electricity bills and also reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced. On average, LED lights use 50 per cent less electricity and can cut electricity costs by 60 per cent. When programmable and dimmable LEDs are used, the energy savings can be up to 80 per cent.

In 2019, the City installed a new ventilation system at Ron Ebbesen Twin Arena to improve air quality and reduce heating costs. The system captures heat from exhaust air and uses it to preheat fresh incoming air through a heat exchanger. Similar systems may be installed in other buildings as they undergo future upgrades.

Back in 2013, the City of Airdrie became a leader in solar energy by installing thermal solar systems and a small photovoltaic (PV) array (5 kW) on the roof of the Chinook Winds fire station. Later, the City worked with ENMAX Energy and CBI Solar to install 3,905 solar modules on the Genesis Place roof and carport, which was Canada's largest municipal rooftop solar PV system (1.55 MW) when it was installed in 2019. The system reduces electricity costs of Genesis Place by more than $90,000 annually and reduces emissions by about 500 tonnes GHG each year. Another rooftop solar installation on top of Airdrie's Transit facility was completed in late 2020, generating 410,000 kWh of electricity and saving the city approximately $30,000 each year. The projects were funded by the provincial Green Trip grant, a Municipal Climate Change Action Centre program and the Federal Gas Tax fund.

See Solar installation DeTails for City Facilities Here 

The Airdrie Fire Department King's Heights and Chinook Winds fire stations were constructed as Leadership in Energy and Efficiency Design (LEED) Silver shadow projects. A LEED design approach reduces energy usage and conserves water in the construction and operation of the buildings.

Learn more about our LEED-Designed fire stationS Here

In 2025, Administration introduced the Corporate Green Fleet Strategy (pdf) as part of our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving long-term environmental goals. This Strategy aims to modernize fleet operations through the adoption of cleaner technologies, renewable fuels, and enhanced operational practices.

In 2026, we added two Ford Maverick Hybrid trucks to our fleet. These vehicles use about 40 per cent less fuel than the Chevrolet Equinox models they replaced, reducing fuel consumption from 9.8 litres per 100 km to 5.9 litres per 100 km in city driving. This upgrade helps lower both fuel costs and emissions.