Too hot to learn? NS daycare receives $100,000 for heat pump upgrade
The North Preston Daycare Centre in Nova Scotia will replace its outdated oil heating system with energy-efficient heat pumps, supported by $100,000 from the province’s Sustainable Communities Fund
The North Preston Daycare Centre in Nova Scotia is set to replace its outdated oil heating system with an energy-efficient electric heat pump system, thanks to $100,000 in funding from the province’s Sustainable Communities Fund.
Daycare director Evetta Thomas notes the upgrade will lower winter heating costs and improve summer cooling. Presently, the centre operates with only two heat pumps, leaving staff and children reliant on fans and open windows during hotter seasons.
“As it gets hotter, the daycare becomes incredibly warm, making it hard to breathe,” Thomas explains.
North Preston Daycare Centre in Nova Scotia | Nathan Coleman
Brad McGowan, MLA for Cole Harbour-Dartmouth, highlights the urgency of adaptation.
"Nova Scotia is experiencing more extreme weather, intense heat, stronger storms, and heavier rainfall. Preparing communities for these challenges is essential."
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The daycare, operating since 1969, still uses an oil-fired boiler and 1970s baseboard radiators for heat. The upgrade aims to modernize its infrastructure while promoting sustainability.
"This project serves as a model for other African Nova Scotian communities to improve buildings, reduce energy costs, and create long-term environmental benefits," says Twila Grosse, Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs.
The daycare is supported by the North Preston Medical Society and serves as a cornerstone for the region.
