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RDH’s Energy & Climate team helps clients transform buildings to reduce emissions and adapt to the changing climate. Our work focuses on two challenges: mitigating a building’s impact on the environment and preparing it to perform in evolving climate conditions. We address both through deep technical expertise, adaptive design thinking, and a strong focus on integration across systems.

This discipline lives at the edge of rapid innovation. Codes, technologies, and performance targets are constantly evolving—and so are we. Our team brings forward-thinking solutions to support everything from embodied carbon assessments to electrification strategies, helping clients stay ahead of both climate risks and policy requirements.

 

The RDH Difference

We approach energy and carbon as system-wide challenges—not isolated engineering problems. Our team has extensive experience delivering very low carbon, low energy, high-performance buildings across diverse project types. By working closely with mechanical, electrical, architectural, and enclosure teams, we identify integrated solutions that deliver better results for less energy.

We challenge the misconception that high performance is too complex or expensive. With the right team involved early, smart energy and enclosure decisions can be made within project constraints—without sacrificing cost, schedule, or comfort. Our enclosure-first perspective gives clients a powerful advantage in managing long-term performance, durability, and resilience.

 

What Sets Us Apart

  • System-Level Thinking: We treat buildings as interconnected systems, not siloed components. This allows us to find creative, efficient solutions that optimize both cost and performance.
  • Enclosure Expertise: Our enclosure background strengthens every recommendation we make—from load reduction to insulation strategies—unlocking solutions other energy consultants may overlook.
  • Complex Projects: We’ve helped deliver ambitious energy and carbon goals in healthcare, commercial, institutional, and multifamily sectors—under tight timelines and strict regulatory environments.

 

Values and Priorities

We prioritize technical rigor grounded in real-world application. Our team is built on a foundation of science, but our success comes from clear communication, thoughtful collaboration, and practical follow-through.

Every project has its goals, constraints, and risks. We focus on aligning with what matters to the client—whether that’s meeting a carbon target, managing operational costs, or achieving occupant comfort. Our project managers play a critical role in translating modeling into actionable decisions and keeping design teams aligned across changing conditions and shifting timelines.

 

How We Work

Our team spans multiple RDH offices and meets regularly to share knowledge, balance priorities, and align on best practices. We work closely with local project managers, design teams, and external partners to deliver high-performance outcomes that reflect both regional climate demands and project requirements.

We use a wide range of tools tailored to each project—including a variety of modelling tools and custom in-house calculators—to support energy, carbon, and thermal analysis. This flexible, collaborative approach allows us to guide everything from early-stage massing to final energy compliance with precision and agility.

Project Spotlight

Bunker Hill Housing Redevelopment – Stellata Apartments | Charlestown, MA
A 26-acre mixed-income urban infill development targeting Passive House certification, supported by RDH for building enclosure consulting and Passive House verification services.
Quw’utsun Valley (Cowichan District) Hospital Replacement | Duncan, BC
BC's first all-electric, zero carbon hospital, supported by RDH across building enclosure consulting, calibrated energy modeling, and zero carbon design consulting through design and construction in a remote location with complex site and labour constraints.

Technical Expertise. Real-World Impact.

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