Energy optimisation for Ontario condominiums: Smarter systems, lower costs for high-rise condo communities

Ontario’s high‑rise landscape continues to evolve at a remarkable pace. With thousands of condominium corporations across the province, residents and boards are navigating a complex combination of rising energy bills, growing regulatory requirements, and intensifying sustainability expectations.

As the province’s largest condominium management company, FirstService Residential supports these communities with the expertise and resources they need to adapt. A key voice in this work is Rob Detta Colli, VP Energy Management, FirstService Energy, who brings two decades of industry experience and a passion for improving building systems.

"About 20 years in the industry. Always been interested in learning and improving systems. This is relatable to energy management because every building is different and has different heating and cooling systems that can be improved in different ways."

Rob Detta Colli, VP Energy Management, FirstService Energy

In this article, Rob shares insights into the future of Ontario high‑rise living, the challenges boards face, and the opportunities to reduce costs, increase energy efficiency, and enhance long‑term sustainability.
 

Why energy management matters in Ontario high‑rises

Ontario remains one of Canada’s most active condominium markets, with high‑rise buildings playing a major role in urban growth and density. At the same time, high‑rises often carry higher utility demands, more complex HVAC systems, and increasing expectations around sustainability, EV charging, energy efficiency, and energy compliance.

Rob explains that energy expertise has become a major differentiator in condominium property management.

"We’ve always had way more knowledge than any competitor on energy. This spans energy efficiency techniques and energy regulations, which are complex in Ontario. This knowledge is extremely valuable because it has direct impacts on energy bills. The regulatory part is subtle, but very valuable because we can often find dollar savings without spending capital dollars."

For board members facing pressure to control unit costs, maintain comfortable living environments, and meet provincial standards, having access to a dedicated energy advisory team is no longer optional — it's essential.
 

What Ontario boards should be asking today

Many condominium corporations worry about whether their property management company has the depth of expertise needed to answer energy questions and make smart long‑term decisions. Rob sees this concern often.

"They should ask where their managers can go for support if the boards have energy questions – even simple ones. FSR managers can come to us via our HelpDesk. If we can help them quickly, we do it! If there is a cost involved, we charge less than others charge."

He adds that new communities joining FirstService often describe a similar challenge:

"That their manager brought them ideas to save them energy, but the manager didn’t have the expertise to advise them properly. I don’t expect the manager to have professional energy management expertise, but I know an FSR manager has a resource they can go to for help, which frees them up to do activities that are in their scope."

This built‑in support structure helps Ontario high‑rise boards make informed decisions without relying on guesswork.
 

Key challenges: rising regulations, evolving technology, and cost structure pressures

Energy regulations continue to expand across Ontario — and will likely intensify as the province prioritises carbon reduction. Rob notes that staying ahead is better than catching up.

"I’d have their Reserve Fund at least consider options to reduce natural gas consumption."

One of the most significant shifts he has seen in recent years is the transition from one‑time audits to ongoing performance monitoring.

"I’m not a fan of the one-time energy audit – I think it is much more effective to benchmark each commodity and evaluate the usage trends over a year. Then, use that info to guide what it is that you are auditing."

And as building automation becomes increasingly sophisticated, new tools offer high‑rises real‑time data and proactive insights.

"The ‘internet of things’ creates an opportunity for us to move away from energy management being a one-time event. We have the opportunity to actually MANAGE energy and also discover operational issues before they become much larger consumers of energy."

Sustainability and EV charging: What Ontario high‑rises need to prepare for

Ontario’s “right to charge” legislation has made EV charging an unavoidable topic for boards. Rob highlights that communities must plan for infrastructure whether they're ready or not.

"Ontario is legislatively a ‘right to charge’ province. Meaning, a board cannot say ‘no’ to an owner’s charging request, so it’s not something a board can simply avoid."

To address this, FirstService Energy supports boards with programs designed to tackle the main obstacles:

"We’ve put together a great program that addresses the largest challenges boards have: (a) Boards don’t want to spend operating dollars on something that only a few owners might use. (b) Boards don’t know how much EV charging infrastructure to install because they don’t know what the demand is now, or in the future. (c) Boards don’t want to sign long-term agreements or introduce expensive monthly rates to provide EV charging."

As EV adoption accelerates, smart, flexible planning ensures condominium communities remain attractive and future‑ready.
 

Where high‑rise communities can find the biggest energy efficiency wins

When asked about the most impactful opportunities, Rob offers clear guidance:

"If they haven’t done so, they should convert all lighting to LED. They should have variable speed drives on their make up air systems (if their systems are compatible with them). They should evaluate their cold-water booster pump systems. I think the next opportunities are smart building controls, and paying someone to evaluate building performance on an ongoing basis."

For many high‑rise communities, these improvements translate to better comfort, lower emissions, and noticeably reduced operating costs.
 

Measuring success: What metrics matter for Ontario boards?

Ontario’s benchmarking initiatives make it easier to compare building performance across the province and track efficiency improvements over time. Rob emphasises that success is not always reflected through lower total spending.

"The Ontario benchmarking initiative is the best way to measure success. Often, spending the same dollar amount on energy is a ‘win’ because unit costs tend to go up over time."

This perspective helps boards better understand their cost structure, identify real trends, and make informed decisions that protect long‑term financial health.
 

Real experiences: What Ontario residents are saying

Two recent Ontario community reviews highlight the impact of strong property and energy management:

"Very good service."

Ontario resident

"Good experience with FirstService Residential providing management for our condominium corp."

Ontario resident

These positive experiences reflect the support residents feel when their buildings operate efficiently, transparently, and sustainably.
 

Energy management across Ontario’s diverse community types

Effective energy management looks different in every residential setting. Across regions like Mississauga, Hamilton, Downtown Toronto, the GTA, Oakville, Etobicoke, and Waterloo, buildings face unique demands tied to their size, systems, and resident lifestyles.

Through FirstService Residential and FirstService Energy’s sustainability‑focused programs, we help each community optimise performance, lower consumption, and plan long‑term strategies that support greener, more efficient living throughout Ontario.
 

Preparing for the future of high‑rise living

Ontario’s condo industry is moving toward a more sustainable, technology‑driven future — one where energy management, cost optimisation, and value-added services are at the centre of long‑term planning. With increasing demands on high‑rise buildings, boards need expert partners who understand everything from regulatory change to smart‑building technology.

And as Rob notes, that partnership starts with knowledge. With specialised expertise, practical tools, and commitment to strong condominium management, FirstService continues to help Ontario communities stay resilient, efficient, and future‑ready.

Contact us today to learn more.