News

Last year, Viscount Villa, one of Kelson Group’s rental apartments in Kamloops, participated in FortisBC’s Deep Energy Retrofit Pilot Program. The project, officially completed by January 2025, represents a comprehensive improvement to Viscount Villa, enhancing residents’ living environment, improving energy efficiency, decreasing carbon emissions, and modernizing the building for years to come.

The project’s overall success resulted from the collaboration between FortisBC, the general contractor Acres Enterprises, and its consulting teams and trade partners. Together, these teams brought extensive knowledge and experience that allowed for upgrades to be completed safely and effectively, with minimal disruption to residents.

Upgrades completed consist of the installation of smart thermostats for baseboard heaters, new heat recovery ventilation units, insulated air conditioning ports with magnetic interior covers, and upgraded exterior walls with an additional six inches of mineral wool insulation, along with a new air barrier and cladding. Additionally, upgraded decks and railings have enhanced Viscount Villa’s appearance.

Altogether, these changes are expected to bring numerous benefits to new and prospective residents, including improved temperature regulation, lower energy usage, healthier indoor air quality, reduced humidity, lower energy bills, and aesthetic enhancement, along with increased durability of the building, especially in the event of extreme weather. More importantly, the significant reduction in energy consumption will be key to helping meet climate action goals.

Kelson Group would like to thank all Viscount Villa residents for their patience, understanding, and cooperation throughout the retrofit process and further encourage them to follow the care and operation guidelines provided by Acres Enterprises to take advantage of these new systems. Should there be any questions about the changes or a need for assistance with the new systems, the Building Manager, Shawn Curtis, is available to help.

With these upgrades, Kelson Group is continuing its commitment to helping residents live better by investing in their comfort, safety, and the building’s efficiency for the future.