Have you met the Eco Animals?
Our response to the environmental crisis can be captured by the imaging us as various animals:
The wise owls – They are the people that have seen the future and are warning us of peril if we do not act now. Listen to the wise owls.
The eco eagles – They see the future, plan the response, may be entrepreneurs and lead us to the positive changes. Listen to and watch the eagles.
The eco hares – They get the message. Their response is start – stop – but they will get there. Cheer for the eco hares.
The eco tortoises – They get the message also and will methodically get there. Cheer for the tortoises.
The eco ostriches – They do not want to know what is going on. Give them a wake up call.
The eco dinosaurs – We know who they are.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Insulation Myths
Green Renovations – Insulation myths
Steve Maxwell writes a column for the Toronto Star as well as being the editor of Canadian Home Workshop magazine. A recent article of his, laid out the true story of fiberglass insulation ratings, vs. actual tests. What Dr. Tony Scott at Brock University found was that closed cell foam insulation rated R-17 delivered R-17 while an R-19 building only delivered R-4 due to air movement within the hollow wall / fiberglass during very cold weather. The closed cell foam was an air barrier and superior insulator. Cool! Well not so cool in -25 weather. Something to think about.
Challenge – what to insulate with on an old brick house – drill holes and blow in insulation or add rigid foam to walls. If the wall cavities are smooth (old brick likely have lots of mortar pushed out in air space) then blown insulation will provide some insulating value although there will be pockets. Moisture migration may also be a factor. Better solution is cover with 2” of rigid foam on the outside if the walls are to be resided or inside if the interior walls are to be replaced. This comes from another article of Steve’s. Check out Steve’s information at www.stevemaxwell.ca
Steve Maxwell writes a column for the Toronto Star as well as being the editor of Canadian Home Workshop magazine. A recent article of his, laid out the true story of fiberglass insulation ratings, vs. actual tests. What Dr. Tony Scott at Brock University found was that closed cell foam insulation rated R-17 delivered R-17 while an R-19 building only delivered R-4 due to air movement within the hollow wall / fiberglass during very cold weather. The closed cell foam was an air barrier and superior insulator. Cool! Well not so cool in -25 weather. Something to think about.
Challenge – what to insulate with on an old brick house – drill holes and blow in insulation or add rigid foam to walls. If the wall cavities are smooth (old brick likely have lots of mortar pushed out in air space) then blown insulation will provide some insulating value although there will be pockets. Moisture migration may also be a factor. Better solution is cover with 2” of rigid foam on the outside if the walls are to be resided or inside if the interior walls are to be replaced. This comes from another article of Steve’s. Check out Steve’s information at www.stevemaxwell.ca
New is Old
What is “new” is old
Many of the “new” technologies we are embracing for new home design and renovation planning are not new at all. They are often old ways of conserving energy. I would like to use the example of my grand parents’ farm in the Peterborough area.
The home faced south, with large maples to shade the home in summer, but letting sunlight warm to enter the home in winter. Lathe and plaster walls and wood floors allowed for thermal heating in the winter. Spruce trees on the west side acted as both a wind break and provided afternoon shade. The house had high ceilings allowing heat to rise up through the home and out the upper windows. Windows were on all sides for summer breeze flow. Rainwater was collected from the gutters and stored in a huge basement cistern, which provided wash-water and a summer cooling. The home wasn’t perfect. It took a lot of wood and in later years, oil heat to keep warm in winter, but it worked.
Many of the “new” technologies we are embracing for new home design and renovation planning are not new at all. They are often old ways of conserving energy. I would like to use the example of my grand parents’ farm in the Peterborough area.
The home faced south, with large maples to shade the home in summer, but letting sunlight warm to enter the home in winter. Lathe and plaster walls and wood floors allowed for thermal heating in the winter. Spruce trees on the west side acted as both a wind break and provided afternoon shade. The house had high ceilings allowing heat to rise up through the home and out the upper windows. Windows were on all sides for summer breeze flow. Rainwater was collected from the gutters and stored in a huge basement cistern, which provided wash-water and a summer cooling. The home wasn’t perfect. It took a lot of wood and in later years, oil heat to keep warm in winter, but it worked.
LEEDership
LEEDership in the Green World
LEED has become the standard for green building design and construction. It is a new term. LEED is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED principles are basically reduce reuse and recycle, but on a much more detailed level. LEED looks at the environmental sensitivity of a site, occupant’s health, sustainable materials, low eco-footprints and construction practices. Buildings can be registered as Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum (top rating). Individuals can write an exam to be accredited (LEED AP). The LEED process is managed by the Canadian Green Building Council.
LEED is truly leadership in today’s growing green world.
I will be studying this fall for my accreditation exam following my initial LEED training. I will keep you posted on more LEEDs and my accreditation process later.
For more information go http://www.cagbc.org/
LEED has become the standard for green building design and construction. It is a new term. LEED is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED principles are basically reduce reuse and recycle, but on a much more detailed level. LEED looks at the environmental sensitivity of a site, occupant’s health, sustainable materials, low eco-footprints and construction practices. Buildings can be registered as Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum (top rating). Individuals can write an exam to be accredited (LEED AP). The LEED process is managed by the Canadian Green Building Council.
LEED is truly leadership in today’s growing green world.
I will be studying this fall for my accreditation exam following my initial LEED training. I will keep you posted on more LEEDs and my accreditation process later.
For more information go http://www.cagbc.org/
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Green Renovations – A refinishing challenge!
I recently was asked to refinish a dresser but do it using green techniques and materials, and have it match the rest of the suite. What I found was the project required both research and experimentation. There are not many options in large home improvement stores other than Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) for stripping and refinishing. But I did succeed. The removal of the old finish went well – with lots of TLC sanding. In consultation with my professional paint supplier we were able to determine the existing finish so as to come up with a rematch process. As it was a natural finish I commenced with a water-based polyurethane. Tannins (looked like I spilled tea all over my project) soaked into the wood from the water based polyurethane, darkening some areas of the wood. Solution - sand again! Anyways, after sanding, applying water based sanding sealer, sanding and 4 layers of water-based polyurethane with sanding between coats – we have the match to the old finish. At first if you do not succeed, sand and sand again!
Summary - research, test, do, and enjoy – a green solution.
I recently was asked to refinish a dresser but do it using green techniques and materials, and have it match the rest of the suite. What I found was the project required both research and experimentation. There are not many options in large home improvement stores other than Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) for stripping and refinishing. But I did succeed. The removal of the old finish went well – with lots of TLC sanding. In consultation with my professional paint supplier we were able to determine the existing finish so as to come up with a rematch process. As it was a natural finish I commenced with a water-based polyurethane. Tannins (looked like I spilled tea all over my project) soaked into the wood from the water based polyurethane, darkening some areas of the wood. Solution - sand again! Anyways, after sanding, applying water based sanding sealer, sanding and 4 layers of water-based polyurethane with sanding between coats – we have the match to the old finish. At first if you do not succeed, sand and sand again!
Summary - research, test, do, and enjoy – a green solution.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Green Renovations – What I learn at the dump.
When I bring demolition materials to the local recycling centre, I like to see what is coming in. It reminds me of my childhood when my father would take me on an outing to the township dump. The dump was the place to take your garbage as we had no collection service. It was a place pick up “treasures” and to see the wild life. With a hand full of stones I enjoyed trying to “stir up” the lunching rats.
Today it is pleasing to see renovators sort out materials in scrap metal, drywall, wood, paper products plastics and general waste at local recycling centres. But it is usually the small guys at the sites. At so many large jobs, the monster bin sits out front, filled with everything. It’s easy to throw it all in the bin. There is no infrastructure to sort at job sites and move to end sources. Have you ever asked where the monster bins go? In the Toronto area, most likely they go to a transfer station and then to Michigan landfill. When I do a tear out, I sort by layers in the truck or trailer so that the materials can be recycled.
In Peel Region the recycling centres wood goes to power generation and park mulch. The drywall gets reworked back into wall board. Metal goes to back into the metal industry. Paper and plastics are recycled into other products.
Let’s put in a little sweat, a lot of recycling, but hold the rats
When I bring demolition materials to the local recycling centre, I like to see what is coming in. It reminds me of my childhood when my father would take me on an outing to the township dump. The dump was the place to take your garbage as we had no collection service. It was a place pick up “treasures” and to see the wild life. With a hand full of stones I enjoyed trying to “stir up” the lunching rats.
Today it is pleasing to see renovators sort out materials in scrap metal, drywall, wood, paper products plastics and general waste at local recycling centres. But it is usually the small guys at the sites. At so many large jobs, the monster bin sits out front, filled with everything. It’s easy to throw it all in the bin. There is no infrastructure to sort at job sites and move to end sources. Have you ever asked where the monster bins go? In the Toronto area, most likely they go to a transfer station and then to Michigan landfill. When I do a tear out, I sort by layers in the truck or trailer so that the materials can be recycled.
In Peel Region the recycling centres wood goes to power generation and park mulch. The drywall gets reworked back into wall board. Metal goes to back into the metal industry. Paper and plastics are recycled into other products.
Let’s put in a little sweat, a lot of recycling, but hold the rats
Green Renovations – Green is Boring?
A lot of the information I see on websites and in blogs is kind of dry – lots of lists and lots of dire warnings. There is a lack of problem solving using the green stuff in practical terms. We also need to lighten up with a dose of humour. So I will try and provide green solutions for real issues which I have encountered and from other sources I come across. And I will add some humour to this series. Please feel free to comment at info@muskokainthecity.ca
"Has anybody seen the Al Gore movie about global warming and the environment? Well, the Bush administration has seen it and they are very annoyed about the whole thing. As a matter of fact, earlier today, Dick Cheney shot a projectionist. ... One very dramatic scene in the Al Gore global warming movie is when a glacier melts and they find more Al Gore ballots from the election." --David Letterman
A lot of the information I see on websites and in blogs is kind of dry – lots of lists and lots of dire warnings. There is a lack of problem solving using the green stuff in practical terms. We also need to lighten up with a dose of humour. So I will try and provide green solutions for real issues which I have encountered and from other sources I come across. And I will add some humour to this series. Please feel free to comment at info@muskokainthecity.ca
"Has anybody seen the Al Gore movie about global warming and the environment? Well, the Bush administration has seen it and they are very annoyed about the whole thing. As a matter of fact, earlier today, Dick Cheney shot a projectionist. ... One very dramatic scene in the Al Gore global warming movie is when a glacier melts and they find more Al Gore ballots from the election." --David Letterman
Step 5 – Green Renovations – Energy Grants and Rebates
Now the renovation is done, the mess is gone you have just enjoyed your first dinner with friends in your new dining room and kitchen and the question is asked. “Bob – you’ve got the power. How much savings did you get from the renovation?” And that is when you remember that the process has one last step.
The second energy audit is conducted following the completion of the recommended improvements to evaluate and verify the actual work performed. (This is where an unbiased auditor is important). The auditor submits the report to the ecoENERGY retrofit program. ecoENERGY issues the grant money. Local municipalities may also offer low ware usage rebates. See links below for more details.
Check out:
http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/retrofit-homes/questions-answers.cfm#q19
http://www.toronto.ca/watereff/flush/
http://www.peelregion.ca/watersmartpeel/indoor/toilet-program-1.htm
Get going green!
Now the renovation is done, the mess is gone you have just enjoyed your first dinner with friends in your new dining room and kitchen and the question is asked. “Bob – you’ve got the power. How much savings did you get from the renovation?” And that is when you remember that the process has one last step.
The second energy audit is conducted following the completion of the recommended improvements to evaluate and verify the actual work performed. (This is where an unbiased auditor is important). The auditor submits the report to the ecoENERGY retrofit program. ecoENERGY issues the grant money. Local municipalities may also offer low ware usage rebates. See links below for more details.
Check out:
http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/retrofit-homes/questions-answers.cfm#q19
http://www.toronto.ca/watereff/flush/
http://www.peelregion.ca/watersmartpeel/indoor/toilet-program-1.htm
Get going green!
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Step 4 – Green Renovations – Build
Once your plan is in place it is time to start the work. Thinking green in work terms means practicing green in how you do your work and what you use.
On site a contractor should have only materials ordered that will be required – just enough to do the work. This creates less waste. Materials stored on site need to be protected from the elements again to reduce waste. Driving vehicles back and forth for supplies due to poor planning is not only a time water but a huge fuel waste considering most commercial vehicle are gas guzzlers.
Rather than the big disposal bin on site which makes it easy to fill and remove - recycle. (The bin may be destined for Michigan). We have always been recycling drywall, wood, packaging, metal, tile and other materials from a job sites into local municipal recycling centres. It takes extra work – but it is the right way.
We like to call this the 4 R’s reduce, reuse, recycle, and really think. There are no cookie cutter green solutions for older homes. Each is unique and presents its own challenges.
Even if the project is not “green” we can incorporate green practices and materials. We ask what eco-materials can be included in the project. (E.g. low VOC paint).
Go green!
Once your plan is in place it is time to start the work. Thinking green in work terms means practicing green in how you do your work and what you use.
On site a contractor should have only materials ordered that will be required – just enough to do the work. This creates less waste. Materials stored on site need to be protected from the elements again to reduce waste. Driving vehicles back and forth for supplies due to poor planning is not only a time water but a huge fuel waste considering most commercial vehicle are gas guzzlers.
Rather than the big disposal bin on site which makes it easy to fill and remove - recycle. (The bin may be destined for Michigan). We have always been recycling drywall, wood, packaging, metal, tile and other materials from a job sites into local municipal recycling centres. It takes extra work – but it is the right way.
We like to call this the 4 R’s reduce, reuse, recycle, and really think. There are no cookie cutter green solutions for older homes. Each is unique and presents its own challenges.
Even if the project is not “green” we can incorporate green practices and materials. We ask what eco-materials can be included in the project. (E.g. low VOC paint).
Go green!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Step 3 – Green Renovations – Design
Now that you are armed with the home inspectors report and the energy audit you can sit down with the architect and builder to plan the entire project – from the basics, to the energy savings to the green sourced materials and of course all the improvements you wish to incorporate for your dreams.
Designing green involves designing for energy efficiency and includes considerations for insulation, passive solar heating, house shading, colours, flooring and roof materials and landscaping. Green design includes a review of supply source determining what building materials can are environmentally sound (e.g. Forestry Stewardship Council sourced wood (FSC) and cork flooring). Think local here as well, just as we are doing for food sources. Also you may wish to incorporate new and emerging technologies (e.g. green roofs, rain water recovery and cistern storage).
When planning a building, taking care to calculate the materials to be used reduces overall waste. Use common lengths from suppliers to reduce cut off waste – use the 2-4 rule. Lengths of 2 inch increments – 2, 4, 6 etc.
The design and build steps are where Muskoka in the City is most active.
The challenges are there and we look forward to solving them. It is the right thing to do.
Now that you are armed with the home inspectors report and the energy audit you can sit down with the architect and builder to plan the entire project – from the basics, to the energy savings to the green sourced materials and of course all the improvements you wish to incorporate for your dreams.
Designing green involves designing for energy efficiency and includes considerations for insulation, passive solar heating, house shading, colours, flooring and roof materials and landscaping. Green design includes a review of supply source determining what building materials can are environmentally sound (e.g. Forestry Stewardship Council sourced wood (FSC) and cork flooring). Think local here as well, just as we are doing for food sources. Also you may wish to incorporate new and emerging technologies (e.g. green roofs, rain water recovery and cistern storage).
When planning a building, taking care to calculate the materials to be used reduces overall waste. Use common lengths from suppliers to reduce cut off waste – use the 2-4 rule. Lengths of 2 inch increments – 2, 4, 6 etc.
The design and build steps are where Muskoka in the City is most active.
The challenges are there and we look forward to solving them. It is the right thing to do.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Step 2 – Green Renovations - Energy Audit (2 of 5)
Here is your opportunity for the government to pay you! By doing an energy audit and completing the recommended energy fixes, you can receive federal grants and local rebates for energy savings improvements or water savings fixtures being imstalled.
The energy audit must be conducted by a certified energy auditor. Look for the CEA designation (certified energy auditor). The auditing field is now becoming more crowded. Two types of auditors are appearing - the audit only service which is not directly repairing or renovating the homes, and the audit and renovation one-stop combinations. I recommend the unbiased audit only firms such as Greensaver.
A comprehensive audit should include a review of the heating system, the hot water system and the building envelope. A visual inspection is done and possible some computer modeling. A blower door depressurization test is conducted to determine air loss. The report will tell you the repairs needed and the savings.
After the recommended retrofits are completed during the renovation process the second audit is done to verify the work performed. You could receive a grant for up to $5000. See Ecoenergy amounts available at http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/retrofit-homes/retrofit-qualify-grant.cfm?attr=4 (More details in Step 5)
Here is your opportunity for the government to pay you! By doing an energy audit and completing the recommended energy fixes, you can receive federal grants and local rebates for energy savings improvements or water savings fixtures being imstalled.
The energy audit must be conducted by a certified energy auditor. Look for the CEA designation (certified energy auditor). The auditing field is now becoming more crowded. Two types of auditors are appearing - the audit only service which is not directly repairing or renovating the homes, and the audit and renovation one-stop combinations. I recommend the unbiased audit only firms such as Greensaver.
A comprehensive audit should include a review of the heating system, the hot water system and the building envelope. A visual inspection is done and possible some computer modeling. A blower door depressurization test is conducted to determine air loss. The report will tell you the repairs needed and the savings.
After the recommended retrofits are completed during the renovation process the second audit is done to verify the work performed. You could receive a grant for up to $5000. See Ecoenergy amounts available at http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/retrofit-homes/retrofit-qualify-grant.cfm?attr=4 (More details in Step 5)
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Step 1 – Green Renovations - Home Inspections (1 of 5)
If you have recently purchased a home or are in the market for one, you likely have had a home inspection performed to get the real ‘dirt” on a home’s condition. This information is invaluable also for renovations as the defects and potential hazards are exposed. These are the basic priority fixes.
When looking for a home inspector, I recommend seeking a company who is a member of OAHI (Ontario Association of Home Inspectors). Members meet strict professional standards and cover all major systems including the roof, structure, exterior, interior, insulation, electrical, heating, cooling, and plumbing. A structural engineer may be a wise choice as well. Look for the RHI (Registered Home Inspector) certification.
It is also a good idea to accompany the inspector for your own home in order to visualize the points as they are noted. Bring the report when you sit down with your architect and builder.
Although it is far more satisfying to plan the flooring, granite counter, stainless steel appliances, the basics need to be corrected first. Sound plan – sound home – sound investment. And remember that building code requirements trump energy savings needs.
If you have recently purchased a home or are in the market for one, you likely have had a home inspection performed to get the real ‘dirt” on a home’s condition. This information is invaluable also for renovations as the defects and potential hazards are exposed. These are the basic priority fixes.
When looking for a home inspector, I recommend seeking a company who is a member of OAHI (Ontario Association of Home Inspectors). Members meet strict professional standards and cover all major systems including the roof, structure, exterior, interior, insulation, electrical, heating, cooling, and plumbing. A structural engineer may be a wise choice as well. Look for the RHI (Registered Home Inspector) certification.
It is also a good idea to accompany the inspector for your own home in order to visualize the points as they are noted. Bring the report when you sit down with your architect and builder.
Although it is far more satisfying to plan the flooring, granite counter, stainless steel appliances, the basics need to be corrected first. Sound plan – sound home – sound investment. And remember that building code requirements trump energy savings needs.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Starting a Green Renovation
Green renovations are a new concept that is just now evolving from the new green building initiatives. Very positive changes and techniques are rapidly emerging to provide better energy efficiency, use more renewable resources and incorporate old strategies as well. Green renovations are not cookie cutter fixes – each home has its own uniqueness and requires specific solutions. This blog series will focus on steps to organize and execute a green renovation in the Southern Ontario area. We will also include timely and interesting information related to green renovations and smaller projects.
A green renovation project has 5 steps.
1. Determine what a home needs in terms of the basic and important fixes plus potential hazards. Get a certified home inspector to provide review your home and provide a report.
2. Find out what energy savings can be applied to project. Obtain the services of an energy auditor such as Greensaver. Save money on the project and reduce your footprint.
3. Sit down with a builder and architect if possible to put the previous reports together with what you wish for your project. Then you have the entire picture.
4. Build the project with all 3 pieces of information - the building needs, the energy savings potential and your wishes.
5. Apply for, and receive the Ecoenergy grants and rebates.
More on each of these 5 steps in the next blog editions. Blog on!
Green renovations are a new concept that is just now evolving from the new green building initiatives. Very positive changes and techniques are rapidly emerging to provide better energy efficiency, use more renewable resources and incorporate old strategies as well. Green renovations are not cookie cutter fixes – each home has its own uniqueness and requires specific solutions. This blog series will focus on steps to organize and execute a green renovation in the Southern Ontario area. We will also include timely and interesting information related to green renovations and smaller projects.
A green renovation project has 5 steps.
1. Determine what a home needs in terms of the basic and important fixes plus potential hazards. Get a certified home inspector to provide review your home and provide a report.
2. Find out what energy savings can be applied to project. Obtain the services of an energy auditor such as Greensaver. Save money on the project and reduce your footprint.
3. Sit down with a builder and architect if possible to put the previous reports together with what you wish for your project. Then you have the entire picture.
4. Build the project with all 3 pieces of information - the building needs, the energy savings potential and your wishes.
5. Apply for, and receive the Ecoenergy grants and rebates.
More on each of these 5 steps in the next blog editions. Blog on!
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