How Low Can You Go?

We are not talking the limbo dance here. We are into water and how little can you use. On the toilet side we just replaced a water guzzler in our home with a 3 liter Hennessy and Hinchcliffe model. I am impressed – stylish and efficient! The mechanism is different in the tank, creating a vacuum to drive the water into the bowl - which quickly removes contents. Canadian designed, built and distributed by Phil Hennessy and Mark Hinchcliffe.
For even lower use, the Sun-Mar Excel NE composting toilet uses no water. We put one in our Muskoka boat house in 2009, with good results. It provides the overnight users a close, clean efficient facility and for the beach crowd – a convenient place to go – rather than hike back up to the cottage.
How low can you go?
Check out:
http://www.watermatrix.com/proficiency/
www.sun-mar.com

Seeing "Red over Green"

The Toronto Star recently ran a series of articles describing the fraud of some "green" experts and their heart wrenching stories. As a small green builder, I am pleased that the fraudsters and “green washers” are being exposed. However the green entrepreneurial world is not as simple as green = bad and Mike Holmes = good. There are many, many committed people who are running green businesses because it is more than the money – it is their passion, their commitment and their calling. We in the “green” industry are expected to be operating from the moral high ground. We need to stand the test of honesty. As most businesses in the green field are new, consumers need to be careful.
Some questions you can ask a prospective green business owner or representative:
· What have you done personally (not business) to make for a better environment and world?
· What is your personal goal in relation to the environment?
· What relevant skills do you possess? How do you provide all the services you claim to provide?
· Give me 3 references in this field of business.
· If I Google your company – what will I find?
· How long have you been in this business?

Composting 365

COMPOSTING TOLIETS 365 - NEWS RELEASE


Attention: Environmental Decision Makers From: Al Seymour, President
For Immediate Release Contact: info@muskokainthecity.ca
May 12, 2010 www.muskokainthecity.ca

Year Round Composting Toilet Solution Off the Grid



Mississauga, Ontario ~ Muskoka in the City Inc. has developed a solution to allow composting toilets to operate year round, outdoors – off the grid. That means the microbial and decomposing action takes place during winter.

This is done with a combination of solar power, passive solar design, smart insulation and environmental consideration. This solution builds on our existing washroom installations using composting toilets, solar, low flush – no water, on tank, green materials to situations requiring year round use.

Benefits:
· Location flexibility
· Less intrusion and damage to the environment from excavating for deep tanks and field tiles in traditional systems
· Less costly than traditional systems
· In combination with a low maintenance, robust building – a pleasant user experience.

Applications:
· Parks and conservation areas
· Golf courses
· Remote trail areas
· Off grid maintenance buildings
· Cabins, cottages and camps
Sizing is adjusted to local geographical situations

We provide the complete solution – from design and permits through construction

Check out our website or call us for more information today!

Great Green Websites

There are huge numbers of environmental focused websites. I have listed some of my favourites that apply to most Canadian homeowners and environmentalists:

Green Blog – Technical - Tyler Hamilton
http://tyler.blogware.com/

Green business and services in the GTA
http://www.greenenterprise.net/web/index.php?id=160
http://www.grassrootsstore.com/

Local initiatives:
http://oakvillegreen.sheridanc.on.ca/
http://www.ecosource.ca/
http://torontogreen.ca/

Events, conferences and jobs;
http://www.planetfriendly.net/calendar/
http://workcabin.ca/

Life style:
http://www.simplelivingtv.net/
http://www.zerofootprint.net/

Education:
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/
http://www.faith-commongood.net/gss/
http://www.conservationontario.ca/


Technical:
http://www.naturallifenetwork.com/

Food:
http://www.farmersmarketsontario.com/index.cfm
http://www.localfoodplus.ca/
http://www.burnhamfamilyfarmmarket.ca/

RENOVATION REBATES – Pay yourself back!

Good news from the Jan. 27 federal budget: Home owners completing renovation projects between $1000 and $10,000 completed prior to Feb. 2010 can get a %15 rebate of up to $1350 for home renovations. This program includes items such as kitchens, bathrooms, decks, painting, new carpets and flooring. Routine maintenance does not qualify. Such things as new furniture, appliances, tools, carpet cleaning and snow removal are excluded.
The invoices/receipts need to be kept for your 2009 tax return.

You can also double dip on a project if you are including energy efficient upgrades – furnace, insulation, windows etc. You still need to have an energy audit done to qualify.

Let’s do the math:

Example #1:

Bathroom reno. – tub, floor, fan, tile, paint, fixtures – low flush toilets – GTA area.
No energy savings and therefore no energy audit. Total contractor and purchase price $9500.
Calculated savings = $1425. cap $1350. Low flush toilet = $60- municipal rebate - net $1410 savings.

Example #2
Renovation of living room, powder room bathroom, front foyer, stairs – Total price - $30,000.
Calculated savings = $4500. Cap of $1350. Net savings $1350.

Example #3
Basement and energy combination - new appliances – Energy Star, high efficiency furnace, heat recovery ventilator, insulation, door, windows, tile, lighting. Energy Star appliances = $3000. Total Price $30,000. Energy audit $400.
Calculated savings – Federal renovation incentive = $1350
- Home Energy Savings Plan rebates on energy audit - $150
- Retail sales tax rebates on appliances 8% = $240
- EcoAction and HESP rebates for energy retrofits = $2000
- Total savings = $3740

Please note that each project will have its own unique opportunities and savings.

Green Design

I recently heard a green focused interior designer talk about undertaking an environmentally based renovation. Her planning points and choice of materials were well covered. E.g. SFC lumber, low VOC paint, no formaldehyde furniture etc. These are all important considerations.

However, a total project that is sustainable must incorporate LEED based principles that go beyond just material selection:
Plan using the 4 R’s – the real work is to take inventory of what can be reused, modified or given away, and make only changes that are sustainable.
What to do about the waste on the tear out? Call the dumpster and have it go to Michigan? Or, do you plan for an on-site sorting, with the materials going to the local recycling centre – metals, drywall, wood, packaging, appliances etc.
What energy savings devises or methods does the contractor employ? E.g. modern tools, sealing up cracks and openings to cut heat loss when under construction, insulating areas that are not planned – because it is the right thing to do.
Does the contractor plan carefully for material usage so that there is minimal waste and minimal property damage?
Are you saving any money and time by the selections you make – long term energy use, your maintenance time?


Remember that a sustainable project has 5 steps:
Energy Audit
Building inspection
Planning / design
Doing the construction.
Collecting the rebates.

Enough of the Negative Talk

Auto industry crashes, TSE reaches new yearly low, unemployment edges up, another business goes bankrupt. I am tired of it. Yes we are in a deep recession. But we are not a depression.

There are lots of people working. The national unemployment rate is 7.2%, which means the employment rate is 92.8%. On Feb. 19, CMHC predicted resale housing prices to drop only 5.2% in 2009. Which means the investing in home improvements now is a good investment looking into the future. A well planned and executed renovation of the home areas where a home value improves the most – bathrooms, kitchen, and painting will continue to add value.

Retailer pricing may be very competitive this year in order to mover stock. Add the rebates of the Federal budget and the multiple environmental energy rebates, there are lots of incentives to get going!

And as far as my business - it has never been brighter. Off grid washrooms using composting technology, green focused building and renovations and fine outdoor structures. Lots of very creative and worthwhile projects coming! Our Mississauga based youth program, Erin Mills Youth Outreach Program, a United Way of Peel agency is also growing and doing great work with kids that need a helping hand. (“Youth with potential”)