Skip to McMaster Navigation Skip to Site Navigation Skip to main content
McMaster logo

Facility Services

Energy

McMaster University is committed to reducing its energy consumption, implementing conservation programs, and promoting energy efficiency. In McMaster’s Sustainability Strategy the university shared how it is focusing on carbon and energy reduction, with the goal of being a carbon-free campus. Learn more about recent energy initiatives below:  

McMaster’s Net Zero Carbon Roadmap:  

McMaster’s Net Zero Carbon Roadmap was developed in 2020 as a pathway to achieve net zero carbon emissions. The proposed path originally involved a 75 per cent emission reduction by 2030 and a 90 per cent reduction by 2050. McMaster is exploring ways to achieve zero carbon emissions on campus as soon as possible.  

Implementing the multi-step transition to zero carbon emissions includes energy initiatives such as installing electric boilers to heat and cool campus, as well as installing peak shaver generators  which will supply energy during peak times such as the hottest days of summer. Learn more about electric boilers and peak shaver generator project, including how these two projects combined will reduce emissions on campus by 21 per cent, on our website.

Energy Management Plan:

McMaster continues to be committed to climate action through our energy management initiatives. Look at our annual Energy Management Plan to learn more about the efficiency measures we have completed, and the work that is underway.

  • In 2022, McMaster used over 295 million kWh of energy (natural gas, electricity) throughout its facilities. 77% of this was natural gas use, with 23% being electricity drawn from the Ontario Grid. 21% of the total energy use came from renewable sources.
  • McMaster’s annual energy use is the equivalent to the annual use of 11,209 average households in Ontario. It is also the equivalent to the annual fuel use of 23,390 average cars in Ontario.

Energy Efficient Buildings: 

McMaster’s Sustainability Strategy re-evaluating the way the university builds sustainability into our infrastructure.  

In 2005 McMaster became the first university in Ontario to develop and implement a sustainable building policy. This policy states that every new building on campus will have a minimum of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification. The return on the LEED investment includes financial and energy savings and increased efficiency in utilities and other operating costs over the building’s lifespan. 

Geothermal Heating and Cooling: 

McMaster will heat its new campus greenhouse with emissions-free geothermal energy, and is exploring multiple locations on campus for future geothermal sites. Geothermal systems use thermal energy naturally found deep underground, where it remains a stable 5 degrees Celsius, providing buildings with heat in the winter and cool air in warmer months. This is also a part of McMaster’s Net Zero Carbon Roadmap