Planning a Green Energy Retrofit

Key in planning a green energy retrofit is to work through 5 steps. The multifaceted project we are now working follows this process:
1. Get an energy audit
2. Obtain a home or building inspection
3. Design the project with these 2 reports in hand
4. Build with the combined plan
5. Apply for energy rebates to assist in payment for your project.

The energy audit will expose issues that need addressing, such as insulation, heat source inefficiency and make valuable recommendations.
The home inspection or business inspection will uncover physical problems and potential ones for the future. These should be addressed when the home or business is being renovated. Examples can be: basement moisture, sagging joists, incorrect electrical installations, plumbing venting, attic ventilation, mould and so on. Fix them now.

An important note: A commercial audit is a more complex process and reporting than a home energy audit. It is also more expensive and requires a licensed commercial auditor. However, there is a great deal more valuable information provided.

Thank you for good neighbours

I recently installed a composting toilet for a man who is on a disability pension. “Bob” is a friendly man in mid life that lives in a tiny cottage home, without plumbing. Bob’s environmental footprint is small and his needs simple. He has no family to rely on. Bob is also blessed with neighbours who “keep an eye” on him. They have paid for home improvements, take him shopping, drop off food, provide advice and are just friends. They have also paid for the toilet system. Thank you good neighbours!

Mike Holmes is right! Recycle.

I like many of us watch Mike Holmes on Holmes on Homes and read his Globe and Mail articles. The productions are good entertainment and provide good information, although I do not agree with him on everything. The Friday Feb. 15 Globe article was excellent because it raised the issue of dump disposal fees. This is an important cost of major renovations. It is also a major landfill component, and environmental problem. Mike talks up recycling of components that someone else might use on other projects. Items such as sinks, cabinets, lumber, plumbing fixtures have value when used again. It does take time and money to do this sorting and delivery to centres like Habitat for Humanity ReStores or a reused material supply store. There are some cost trade offs on dump fees and recycled material resale value.
Do the right thing for the environment and salvage as much as you can. Please see – previous blog “Green Renovations – What I learn at the dump”.

In Praise of the Prius

Although this is not a green building related article, I must comment on our purchase of a 2008 Toyota Prius this past November.
We bought this car sight unseen. No dealers in Ontario had cars to test drive last fall and the rental companies had sold off their rentals. So with a little trepidation we ordered a Prius - ultimately from Japan.

Eight weeks after our order we picked up a bright red Prius. After a short familiarization lesson we were off. It was weird to not hear the engine at stops and to start off in silence. We were visually glued to the information screen which produces efficiency and performance information. We have found that it is easy to drive, very comfortable to ride and has much more sitting and storage room that initially appears. And of course – the fuel consumption is great. We did a highway trip recently and found that we were averaging 5.1 L / 100 Km – just under the highway rating. It takes about $30 for a fill and that goes about 500 km. for average driving. The Prius is not cheap to buy, but we are saving on gas cost and greatly reducing green house gas production.

Canada Blooms 2008 Planning

I am pleased to be a partner this year with the Canada Blooms “Backyard Ecotopia” display team. This year’s booth theme is “Choices for Sustainable Living” and involves many partners. Please see http://www.canadablooms.com/ It is truly inspiring to work with the partners (list will be added when finalized) in planning, integrating components, sharing ideas and sharing resources.

From a planning point of view, the 4 “R’s” are paramount. The 4th R being Really think. It is most relevant to our efforts. What is the impact of what we are doing? What is our message and who do we wish to influence with that message?

As far as what we are doing – we are reusing materials from previous show years. We have sourced materials with high recycled content (e.g. Enviroshake). We have secured wood from sustainable managed forests (Forest Stewardship Council – FSC). We have selected good materials for reuse again. E.g. Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

What is our message and who is it being addressed to? There are many good green choices to be made. We can use solid environmental solutions together with each other. We can be inspired, with the knowledge that going green is not a severe belt tightening. Going green can be beautiful, can save money and be the right thing to do.

Come see us at the Metro Convention Centre Mar. 12 -16.

Off the Grid Toilet systems

Muskoka in the City has developed an off the grid washroom system that works well for golf courses, low use situations and for recreational use. We have teamed up with Sun-Mar – North America’s largest maker of composting toilets to put together an environmentally sound solution. No water, no electricity, no septic system which is cheaper and uses a natural bio-system. This combination in conjunction with solar powered lighting and fan, has received great interest.

However there are barriers as interpreted by some officials. An open pit privy (outhouse) does not need a permit according to the Ontario Building Code. Waste goes into the ground and is not monitored. However the composting toilet is a contained system and may be interpreted as to need a permit or not be allowed at all.

The old rules have yet to adapt to the green world changes! Hello?