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School District 75 in Mission, BC faced increasing gas bills, aging boiler-driven heating systems, and looming Net Zero Carbon legislation.
Replacing entire HVAC infrastructures would have been disruptive, costly, and time-consuming. At the same time, classrooms needed to stay comfortable, even during –10°C winters.
Alpine partnered with School District 75 to pioneer BC’s first Net-Zero-aligned hybrid heat-pump retrofits for K-12 schools.
We adapted to the schools’ existing air handlers (no gut-and-replace), reduced gas consumption, and maintained comfortable classrooms year-round.
As a first-of-its-kind approach in the province, Alpine worked directly with Fujitsu to configure equipment for school environments and Canadian winters.
Fujitsu heat pump array installed on the rooftop at Mission Schools. Aluminum jacketing to prevent UV wear and bird nesting.
Mission schools were running on aging boiler-driven HVAC systems that generated sky-high natural gas bills month after month. A hybrid heat pump retrofit was urgently needed to reduce costs, modernize facilities, and meet new efficiency standards.
These outdated systems also struggled to deliver consistent comfort. Classrooms were often too cold during –10°C winters, and maintenance crews faced constant breakdowns. Teachers and students felt the impact daily, while facility managers fought a losing battle with rising expenses.
At the same time, the district faced strict Net Zero Carbon requirements for public facilities. Yet tearing out massive air handlers and ductwork would have meant multi-million-dollar costs, extended downtime, and major disruption across multiple schools. The need for a smarter retrofit path was clear.
This Mission Schools hybrid heat pump retrofit shows how Alpine engineered a system that worked with existing infrastructure instead of replacing it. The result: a school HVAC upgrade that cut costs, reduced disruption, and aligned with Net Zero goals.
By adapting the design to existing air handlers and ductwork, Alpine avoided costly tear-outs and kept installations on a two-month schedule per school — minimizing impact on students and staff. Every detail was built with long-term serviceability and durability in mind.
Early results from the Mission Schools hybrid heat pump retrofit show a 30%+ reduction in energy costs and dramatic cuts in natural gas consumption — while classrooms maintain consistent comfort year-round.
The project is now under independent review by Fujitsu and BC Hydro, underscoring Alpine’s role as the first in North America to adapt this Fujitsu technology for school HVAC retrofits. The model is already sparking interest from other BC districts looking for scalable school HVAC upgrades that align with Net Zero goals.
This retrofit gave Mission Schools a cost-efficient, low-disruption path to Net Zero — avoiding millions in infrastructure replacement while ensuring reliable classroom comfort.
The design is scalable, serviceable, and sets a new benchmark for school HVAC retrofits across British Columbia
The Mission Schools hybrid heat pump retrofit proved that large-scale school HVAC upgrades can be practical, repeatable, and scalable. By working with existing air handlers and infrastructure, Alpine created a retrofit pathway that avoids the massive costs and disruption of full system replacements.
This retrofit model has already gained attention from other school districts across BC, positioning Alpine’s approach as a proven path forward. Rising energy costs and strict Net Zero Carbon deadlines mean school boards need solutions that balance budget, compliance, and comfort — and Alpine’s model delivers exactly that.
Reducing gas bills and improving efficiency.
Meeting BC’s environmental mandates.
With more underway across the district.
Not in the traditional sense. While it uses VRF-class hardware, Alpine configures it as a modulating heat pump system integrated with existing AHUs and VAV boxes.
Yes. The schools’ VAV systems remain in place, so each classroom maintains independent control.
Birds often destroy standard insulation for nesting. Aluminum jacketing prevents this, protecting efficiency and extending system life.
Hybrid retrofits are significantly more cost-efficient. By integrating new heat pump technology into existing air handlers and ductwork, Alpine avoids the multi-million-dollar expense of a full system replacement, while still meeting Net Zero requirements
Each retrofit takes about two months, scheduled to minimize classroom disruption.
The system was designed with a hybrid dual-fuel strategy. Heat pumps handle the load for most of the year, and when temperatures drop below –8 to –10°C, the existing boilers automatically stage on. This ensures classrooms stay warm and comfortable without sacrificing efficiency
Yes. The Mission Schools project proved that hybrid heat pump retrofits are both scalable and adaptable. By integrating with existing infrastructure, this model avoids multi-million-dollar replacements while delivering Net Zero-ready performance. It can be applied to schools, campuses, and public facilities across BC and beyond
Maintenance is straightforward. Heat pumps and coils require routine servicing, and Alpine’s custom EEV racks were designed for easy access and adjustment. The aluminum-jacketed lines also reduce insulation repairs, meaning lower long-term maintenance costs