Better Builder Magazine, Spring 2013

IN THIS ISSUE
• Future Proofing: Choosing Right Now
• PV That Makes Sense
• Future Proofing With HERS
• Passive House and Resilient Homes
• Greywater and Solar Ready Rough-Ins
ISSUE 05 | SPRING 2013
WWW.BETTERBUILDER.CA
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MyHaven LEEDSthe
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COVER STORY
14 MyHaven Homes LEEDS The Way With Future Proofing
BY TRACY HANES

FEATURES
02 Publisher's Note – Future Proofing: The Only Way To Go
BY JOHN GODDEN
03 The Bada Test: Choosing Right Now
BY LOU BADA
04 Photo Voltaics That Make $en$e
BY ALEX NEWMAN
06 Electric Cars – Driving the Message Home
BY SARAH CRAWFORD
07 A Greyt Way To Save Water
BY JOHN BELL
08 Choosing The Right Windows
BY BETTER BUILDER STAFF
10 Future Proofing With HERS
BY JOHN GODDEN
12 Adaptive Reuse of Existing Buildings
BY CHRIS TIMUSK, PH.D
20 Building New: LEED was the Right Way To Go
BY ALEX NEWMAN
23 The Sustainable Housing Foundation’s Energy
Rating Summit
BY BRIAN L. ABBEY
24 Future Proofing Your Real Estate Investment
BY: MARK SALERNO AND BILL JOHNSTON
27 Dunnink Homes Builds Ontario’s First ICLR Resilient Home
BY MICHAEL LIO
30 Green Building Project - Passive House
BY ROLF BAUMANN
32 Solar Ready
BY: DOUG TARRY
34 Scotiabank: Helping Canadians Save Money and the Environment
BY KAZ FLINN AND LAUREN MOSTOWYK
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2
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
Future Proofing
THE ONLY WAY TO GO
Outside ideas of right and wrong, there is a field. I’ll meet you there – Rumi.
It seems we are torn between the rightness of the status quo and the frenzy
around new things. Can common sense be employed as we move forward?
Oftentimes, common sense is anything but common. Ideas and technologies
that work are identified in hindsight. Terms like "green" and "sustainable"
have been overused trying to appeal to one’s moral sensibilities. Statistics
reveal that unfortunately only about 15% of the population care about the
environment and the rest of the herd is consuming like mad.
I would suggest that future proofing is a smart approach to living in this
world. Amidst depleting resources, prudence dictates one would be wise
investing money now that will yield future returns, when energy and resources
cost more. Did the Microfit program make sense? Individuals with solar
electric arrays on their roofs got subsidized by rate payers collectively. How
can paying out 80 cents per kwh and selling that energy for 10 cents ever
make sense or be sustainable? Connecting electric vehicles to these arrays
seems to make more sense, as this would use solar energy to directly power
cars. Clean energy would offset fossil fuels. Alex Newman writes this month
about Baka Communications, a Toronto cell phone company that charges a
fleet of electric cars with collectors atop their offices.
Lou Bada suggests that future proofing requires us to choose low-tech
solutions to avoid the “law of unintended consequences”. Our staff writer
explores future proofing our homes by selecting windows that not only allow
passive solar gains in winter but also reduce heat gains in summer. Current
code houses are much easier to heat than air condition. Mark Salerno and
Bill Johnson survey approaches in financing real estate that promotes future
proofing in old and new homes.
Perhaps the most important energy trend for new construction is “roughing-in”
the capacity to use renewables at a later
date. Doug Tarry and John Bell talk about
solar and greywater ready strategies to reduce
the time and costs for future installations.
In the end, none of us has a crystal ball, but
there are smart ways of moving forward. I
hope you enjoy reading about a number of
them in this issue of Better Builder. Investing
modestly now pays dividends in the future.
To be cliché: An ounce of prevention
is worth a pound of cure.
JOHN GODDEN

BUILDER NEWS
I was speaking with a good friend the other day on the subject of sustainability and he noted when you know you’re in the
right place on an issue. You’re criticized by the folks on the left who believe that you should be doing more, and at the same
time by the people on the right who believe that you should be doing less. Being a moderate is the Canadian way after all.
An emergent trend in sustainable building has been to encourage future proofing. A future proofed home allows a home-
owner to take advantage of emerging technology at a later date. The infrastructure also allows for current technology to be
used that may not have been considered at the initial purchase of a home. I’m all for choice, however placing bets on what
will be the prevailing technology in the future is tricky business. A few examples of this dilemma come to mind.
A number of years ago we were encouraged to install structured wiring in our homes for future computer networks and
phone systems. Many of us did so at significant expense. Subsequently, the proliferation and advancement of wireless
technology rendered all that buried material inside our homes' walls virtually useless.
Today, water conservation and management is very important. Less potable
water used means less waste-water outflow. Historically, dual-flush toilets
were intended to be the solution. Unfortunately, the efficiency of the toilet
was dependent on the user making the right choice. Which button to push,
the little button or the big button? People, more times than not, picked the
big button, continually wasting water. It’s larger after all and must be better.
High efficiency toilets that don’t rely on the end user making the right choice
are the way to go now.
Maybe choice is not such a
great thing after all. Future
proofing relies on the end
user making the right choice
someday. I recall having a
conversation with a customer.
After I extolled the virtues
of LED pot lights in his
new Energy Star home, his
response was “great, now I
don’t have to worry about my family having to turn the lights off all the time
because they consume less energy”. This is a great example of the law of
unintended consequences.
Conservation works and appeals to my moderate sensibility. Future
proofing for me means building a great building envelope that passively
does its job and doesn’t rely on someone making the right choice. A
great building envelope is also durable and it won’t have to be re-built
anytime soon. Despite the current small respite, energy costs will go up.
Municipalities mandating future proofing and placing bets on certain technologies need to understand this. Otherwise, we’ll
be stuck with a bunch of homes ready for non-existent or obsolete technology. This is hardly sustainable. Having said this,
I do believe that there is room for innovation. Innovation that is soberly and properly assessed, with the end user in mind
and removed from the decision makers that don’t really have any skin in the game.
LOU BADA
3
Future Proofing: Choosing, Right Now
LED LIGHTING
LOU BADA IS THE CONSTRUCTION & CONTRACTS MANAGER FOR STARLANE HOMES
DUAL-FLUSH TOILET

4
ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
Photo Voltaics That Make $en$e
Joe Edwards is, in most ways, an ordinary guy. A
master electrician since 1998, he worked on large
projects like the Toronto airport expansion and GO
Transit. But a couple of years ago, Edwards stepped
out of ordinary when he glimpsed the future in electric
vehicles (EVs) -- and the infrastructure they would
require.
So in 2010, he trained with Eaton (eatoncertified.
com) to become a certified EV electrician (there are
less than 100 such contractors in Ontario). That soon
led to installing the first Level 3 charging stations in
Canada at Mitsubishi’s Ontario dealerships. A level
3 station is 440 volts, and takes just 20 minutes to
charge a car. He also prepared charging stations for
the City of Richmond Hill.
This fall, though, Edwards stepped into the media lime-
light when he installed Canada’s first solar-generated
car charging port for Etobicoke based Baka
Communications. It also happens to be the largest so
far in the country with eight single-car charging stations.
Edwards designed the carport, sitting in the middle of Baka’s parking lot, to make easier access for the company’s EVs to
charge up. Being early days for the technology, Edwards has seen some “interesting” layouts -- like installing a charging
station in the bushy landscaping surrounding an office building, making it difficult for cars to get close enough, even with
the 18-foot cables, to charge up. In winter, when snow gets ploughed off the parking lot, it ends up piled over the curb,
and burying the connections.
Edwards says the stations are best mounted into a poured concrete slab. The slab provides better footing and looks cleaner
and more like a sidewalk. Red or green bollards placed in front ensure that cars don’t accidentally back into the stations.
The decision to go with such a large charging station has to do with Baka’s desire to be at the forefront of anything green.
The company, which has grown since 1985 from cell phone sales out of the car trunk to a staff of 70-plus, is headquartered
in a one-storey office building in Etobicoke. The decision to convert 60% of the sales fleet to electric prompted nine
Chevy Volts to be purchased and meant devising a way to keep the cars charged.
ALEX NEWMAN
Baka’s average monthly fuel savings is $224 per
month per vehicle or $2,016 for all 9 vehicles -
almost $25,000 per year in fuel savings. ][
SOLAR CARPORT CHARGING STATION

5
Never one to do anything by half measures, he was also behind the decision to harness
the sun to generate energy for the carport. The eight charging stations are arranged in a
row under the 20 KW solar photovoltaic (PV) panels of the carport, and available to staff
and visitors during regular business hours. But marketing director Charlene Killingbeck
says the company expects to make the station available for use after hours in the
coming months.
Each station is a Level 2 (240 volts) capable of charging a Volt EV in four hours so it can
be driven 75 km. The cars also have a gas tank, so when the electric charge runs out,
they switch over and can run an additional 500 km. Cars with longer range, such as the
Nissan Leaf, can run 160 km but take eight hours to charge on a Level 2 station.
The charging station system is also blended, a mix of energy generated by the sun and
from the grid. The panels also power the LED lights and security system at the charging
port, but there’s usually excess energy generated from the 20 KW solar photovoltaic (PV)
panels. Some of that is stored in a lithium-ion battery for emergency backup in case of
power outages, and Baka can still run its office. The rest is returned to the grid. On
occasions when several cars are powering at once, and the solar panels cannot generate
enough energy, the station is able to draw on/from the grid.
Ironically, EVs were first invented around 1830, about the same time as the Industrial
Revolution, and their re-introduction coincides with today’s green technology revolution.
The eager embrace by consumers of the technology is for a variety of reasons, the most
obvious being the reduced cost, about a half cent per km.
It’s also got some cachet as being “the right thing to do,” and there’s the cool factor
of being at the crest of a new wave. But another benefit of this green alternative is the
improved environment for the person using one – a smooth and silent drive, plus zero
emissions for cleaner maintenance.
Like every technology revolution – the printing press, the industrial revolution, the digital
revolution, the disadvantages usually come in the form of insufficient infrastructure. But
Edwards, who hopes to be part of changing that, is already seeing a number of initiatives
aimed at creating infrastructure.
Right now, most EV charging stations are free, Edwards says. Most car dealerships have
them. And some restaurants and malls, Yorkdale for example, have installed charging
stations out front. This means guaranteed front door parking while your car is charging.
Sun Country Highways is creating a Canada wide network of charging stations that are
about 400 km apart. If your EV is long-range, like the new Tesla with a 400-mile range,
you can make it entirely on electric charge. For other cars of shorter range, the gas will
kick in until you get to the next station.
Edwards says a number of companies are working on creating revenue models – how to
build and how to charge – so that in the near future, there should be good support systems
in place. Joe Edwards can be contacted at JML Electric (905) 469-7524.
ALEX NEWMAN IS A WRITER, EDITOR AND RESEARCHER AT WWW.INTEGRITYCOMMUNICATIONS.CA
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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS

6
AUTO NEWS
It’s said that twins are often like two sides of a coin. Never did I expect
that the different outlooks of my own twin sons would be manifest as
two opposing views about cars. One is passionately in love with any
kind of vehicle, while the other is suspicious of cars for the environmental
damage they cause. And they’re only seven years old!
But our family has hit on a serendipitous solution to this apparent
clash of ideals – we purchased an electric car this past year.
One thing my sons are united on, however, is their desire for us to
stop exploiting the natural resources around us. And fortunately,
plenty of people not only agree with them, but are willing to find ways
to change our ways. There are the engineers who build roads to zero
emissions, the architects who design homes with options to generate
our own power, and the electrical engineers, like Joe Edwards of JML
Electric, who can build solar carports that harness the power of the
sun to charge our vehicles. These are just a few of the options for
alternative energy. And thanks to our technology-rich culture, there
are and will be more options.
The demand for cleaner ways to fuel our lives will only increase with this next generation. Today’s children are very aware
that each one of us leaves an imprint, and they are also aware that current consumer choices are unsustainable. This
internalized outlook will affect the choices they make when they become adults. Just as my one son could never believe
that cars could be good for the environment, he is now perfectly happy with our new car, a Nissan Leaf, because it offers
a clear alternative to carbon exhaust. The other son loves it because it’s a car.
We also have the means to charge up our car at home thanks to the solar carport installed by Joe Edwards of JML
Electric. It’s dead simple: the photovoltaic panels on the roof of the carport turn the sun’s energy into electricity to
charge the car while we sleep. JML also recently installed the first direct current charger in a park of all places, where it
can harness the energy that children generate while playing and feeds it back into the grid. I consider Edwards a real
pioneer in leading the way to carbon alternatives.
The thing about this energy
discussion that’s so encouraging
is the energy that committed
people are putting into finding
new, clean ways for our world
to continue functioning well.
Even ten years ago the idea of
incorporating car charging
capabilities into a new build
home was unheard of. Today,
accessing your own electricity
is an easily accomplished and
affordable possibility, especially
with the number of financial
incentives now available.
SARAH CRAWFORD
Electric Cars
DRIVING THE MESSAGE HOME
SARAH AND HER CHILDREN WITH THEIR NISSAN LEAF
SARA H CRAW F ORD I S A NI SSAN LEAF
OWNE R A ND PROMOT ES EL ECTRIC CARS

7
A Greyt Way to Save Water
It makes absolutely no sense to flush your toilets with perfectly good drinking water. That’s money going right down the
drain, literally. In both residential and commercial construction there is something you can do to change this – install a
greywater recycling system.
Toilets are the single greatest wasters of water in a home. Thirty-percent of all water consumed in a home is for toilet
flushing. Water rates are increasing. The GTA has not seen an increase less than 9% for the last 5 years. Municipalities
are facing water infrastructure pressure, both on the supply side and waste treatment. The combination of energy prices
rising and developers building in water sensitive areas demonstrates that the need for water re-use solutions has never
been greater.
Residential builders can ‘greywater ready’ your home with a simple 3 step process.
This rough-in procedure consists of:
1. isolating a minimum of 2 shower/bath drains, ideally the master shower;
2. isolating the supply lines to the toilets;
3. having access to a wastewater stack for the overflow, and the ability to tie into a fresh air vent.
A production builder's plumber can ‘greywater ready’ a home with just a few hours work and approximately $100-$150 in
additional plumbing supplies. Once the plumbing is done, the opportunity for significant water savings not only exists today,
but for tomorrow and for years down the road. It’s a ‘greyt’ way to give homeowners the option of savings hundreds of
dollars annually.
MUNICIPAL SUPPORT FOR GREYWATER RECYCLING
Just west of the GTA, the City of Guelph has introduced one of
the most proactive water conservation programs for new home
construction. Guelph’s Blue Built Home program is a water-efficiency
standard and rebate program for new homes. The homes are certified
according to three water efficiency standards: Bronze, Silver or Gold.
Along with approved water efficient fixtures, a Blue Built Silver Home
includes a greywater recycling system. Homeowners will receive a
$1000 rebate and water consumption in the Silver Home will be more
than 50% less than a standard Ontario Build Code Home.
York Region has a similar view to Guelph as promoting water
conservation is critical to their master plan. One of the fastest
growing regions in Canada, York Region has initiated a ‘No New
Water’ campaign. The campaign anticipates that across all sectors
the total water use in 2051 will be equivalent to that used in 2011
despite the fact that during that period population is expected to
increase by 800,000. In order to meet its goal the region will consider
offering incentive programs. These programs will include expedited
permit approvals for green building. Additionally, they will look into the adoption of re-used water for non-potable uses (e.g.
greywater for toilet flushing.)
Whether it’s Guelph or York Region, all municipalities face the same thing, and this is no grey matter.
BUILDER NEWS
JOHN BELL
JOHN BELL IS THE VP OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AT GREYTER SYSTEMS INC.

Proper window selection should consider two characteristics,
the frame material and a thermally efficient glazing system to
render the lowest U value (thermal conductivity). The framing
material in fiberglass window systems offers window frames
that promote condensation resistance, dimensional stability
and durability. The use of fiberglass window systems also
offers superior thermal resistance with proven energy savings.
Expansion and contraction of the window frame is critical
to maintaining dimensional stability. Under temperature
variation similar materials perform the best together. So
if the molecular chemistry in the frame is similar to that of
glazing in the unit the two materials complement each other
and function synergistically together, commonly referred to as
“glass on glass”. This very low expansion contraction ratio
allows for seal protection
from failure as well as
sustainable caulk
integrity between jamb
and the wall. Inline
manufactures windows
that offer this performance.
The fiberglass window
frame is strong, plumb
and true which allows for ease of installation. The continuous
fiberglass roving reinforcement in the matric composite lends
high strength and durability to the lineal sections. This means
that tall casements frames will not bend or bow.
Fiberglass frames will not rot, or crack, sag or creep over
time. They are ten times stronger than vinyl. Fiberglass
frames resist UV (Ultra Violet) degradation and will not
corrode. Fiberglass frames will not distort in a wide range
of temperatures (i.e. -50o
F up to 350o
F).
In the Canadian climate, with a wide variation of exterior
temperatures, fiberglass window frames are one way of
future proofing your home.
8
BUILDER NEWS
Choosing the Right Windows
BETTER BUILDER STAFF

9
BUILDER NEWS
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BUILDER NEWS
Ten years ago I built the Clearsphere house for a client in Richmond
Hill, Ontario. The original architectural plans had roughly 1200
square feet of windows. This configuration would result in a large
heating load, and a cooling load of 8 tons. The window areas were
reduced by 30% and the use of “selective” Low “E” coatings re-
sulted in an air conditioning load (ACL) of 50% less or 4 tons. Gone
are the days when we can build houses with excessive glass.
The OBC 2012 code limits windows to 17% window to wall area
(WTWA) in its prescriptive charts. There are trade offs when the
WTWA is between 17 and 22%.
A package “J” house could use windows with a U-value (conductivity)
of 1.6 instead of 1.8 (the lower the number the better). Home designs
with over 22% must undertake a performance approach that involves
computer modeling. As with any design, computer modeling and
load calculations are always a smart approach.
Designers and owners can decide to save money on conservation in
the long term by investing money in the short term. Future proofing chooses windows that allow for passive solar energy and
also reduce air conditioning loads. Some houses with excessive glass, over 22% WTWA, can overheat even in the winter.
LEED for homes allows for the use of HERS software, like RemRate, to optimize the energy performance of a building.
LEED for homes and HERS software encourage the integrated design approach (IDP); bringing together designer, builder
and HVAC contractor to balance comfort, control and costs. Hot2000 and EnerGuide only consider space heating and
favor windows with high passive solar heat gains.
Working closely with the design team at Sustainable TO, a sensitivity analysis of the building envelope was carried out.
This started with a benchmark of Package J at a HERS 67 (due to the large window areas). Fiberglass frames where
chosen for structural stability and durability on large glazing areas. Selective coatings were modeled with North and
East exposures using triple glazed Low E coatings with roughly R5 values and low solar heat gain coefficients (SHGC)
of .30. South and West windows were lowest hard coats with R values of roughly 4 but higher SHGC’s between 0.4 and
0.5. Higher SHGC’s mean that more passive solar gains are realized in winter. These window selections were used in the
construction of the home. The HERS score of 63 represents a 6.0%
reduction in heating costs from the Package “J” 67 bench mark.
The effect on cooling from using the hi-performance windows was a
reduction in air conditioning of 1.5 tons or 33% to 3 tons. Reducing
air conditioning means lower air flows and allowed the use of an Air
Max Hi velocity air distribution from the top down. It is powered by
a “chiller” tank off the GSHP. The low energy homes that do not use
selective coatings have a high SHGC and as a result overheat in the
winter and summer. This project has mass storage in concrete floors
which absorb passive solar heat through South and West windows.
The building envelope, from footings to eaves, was constructed from
Durisol blocks. This stackable insulated concrete forming system
uses Roxul stone wool insulation to achieve an R-value of 21. An ad-
ditional 2” layer of Roxul “IS “ sheathing adds R8 and results in R31
for exterior walls. The Durisol foundation walls are covered with a
JOHN GODDEN
Future Proofing With HERS
TARGETING LEED GOLD
BUILDER MIKE MANNING AND ARCHITECT PAUL DOWSETT
RADIANT FLOOR DISTRIBUTION MAXIMIZES COMFORT
AND REDUCES OVERHEATING

11
BUILDER NEWS
Blue Skin waterproofing layer which is overlaid with Roxul drain board that adds R4 insulation and a drainage layer.
R60 cellulose insulation was blown in the attic. The combination of insulation systems garnered 1 ½ LEED points toward
the LEED Gold designation (largely because of recycled content). This envelope, R60 attic, R31 main walls, R25 basement
and underslab insulation reduced the HERS rating from 63 to 49 a 22% reduction in space heating energy.
The house employs a ground source heat pump (GSHP) and a radiant floor distribution system. It is crucial that these
systems are right sized and integrated. Original heat loss calculations by the heating designer before IDP modeling were
6 tons of capacity. Drilling vertical loops to capture earth energy is very expensive. Our energy modeling, with the ICF
system, added Roxul insulation and high performance windows and reduced the heating and cooling load to 2 ½ tons.
Half the drilling was done for vertical contact loops and the system will not cycle on and off, it is more efficient. For hot
water heating, a condensing boiler works in conjunction with an indirect tank. Now at a HERS 41, with additional energy
savings of 16%, we were ready to consider renewables. With a 41 score, we were 39% better than Package J using an
envelope first approach.
There are many discussions about the definition of Net Zero housing. Some believe selling PV electricity to grid can be
used to offset purchased natural gas (i.e. net zero cost.) Others believe that in electrically heated zones with MicroFit subsidies,
net zero is producing as many energy units as needed to power
the home's energy consumption (net zero balanced). In the case
of a heat pump (HP) much more current (240 volts) is required
to power a HP that can be generated from solar panels. An
inverter is used to convert DC current to 120 volt AC current
for use in the house. Under a net zero balanced definition, the
house could be considered if its hot water was not heated with
natural gas.
The last true definition of Net Zero is the off grid house which
would represent a zero on the HERS index or 100 on the
EnerGuide scale. The final score of 19 indicates this. The home
is still plugged into the grid and needs to purchase natural
gas for hot water heating. Regardless of which definition of
net zero you choose, the Norton house is future proofed. The
owner, designer and builder of this LEED Gold home saw the
benefits of investing money now to
yield dividends as time goes on. The
Solar PV under a MicroFit contract
pays out $8000 annually and the
energy efficient design means that it
uses 72% less energy than a 2012
code built home. As time passes
thousands of dollars in savings will
find their way into the homeowner’s
pockets. And that’s a good thing.
The Magic of HERS
The scale is calibrated. A lower
score means lower energy use when
compared to a reference house.
Each one point means 1% increase
in energy performance. If OBC is a
67 and the as-built house equals 63,
that means 6.0% less energy use.
JOHN GODDEN IS THE PRESIDENT OF CLEARSPHERE AND PUBLISHING EDITOR OF BETTER BUILDER MAGAZINE.
THE NORTON HOUSE: HERS RATINGS AND DESCRIPTIONS
HERS Package Description % Reduction
100 IECC 2006 International Energy Code (Typical
American Home)
67 Package J OBC 2012 R50 attic, R22 walls,
R12 basement HRV
0
63 Windows Triple, LowE: U=0.2 6
49 Envelopes Windows, plus R25 under-slab,
R25 foundation wall, R31 Wall, R60
ceiling
27
41 Mechanicals Envelopes, plus ground source
heat pump, condensing water
heater, power pipe, 15 SEER A/C
39
19 Renewables Mechanicals, plus 11 KWH of PV 72
0 Net Zero TBD 100

12
Towards the end of the summer each year, I begin the search for an old house or small building in need of a “green” retrofit
somewhere in downtown Toronto. The search is in preparation for a class project for the advanced Building Science course.
The course is attended by approximately 100 second-year students enrolled in the Construction Science and Management
degree program at George Brown College. The project spans 3 months, with the objective of developing a comprehensive
retrofit plan to upgrade an old building for energy efficiency and sustainability. This project is in its fifth year of running in the
program, and each time I never cease to be amazed by the quality and originality of the work the students produce.
The project begins with a site visit to the building, where in
groups of 3 or 4, armed with hard hats, boots, tape measures,
clip boards and cameras, the students study and document
everything of relevance. Each building envelope component
is studied from the foundation up, with special attention paid
to insulation levels and types (or more commonly, the lack-of
insulation), air-flow/vapour flow control materials/methods,
construction methods, and any signs of deterioration.
The second phase of the project begins back on campus as
soon as the building surveys are completed. Based on all the
site information gathered, the budget given, and any special
requests or requirements of the building owners, each group
now begins the long and multi-facetted task of designing
what they believe to be the best retrofit approach for the
building. Each team provides two wall-retrofit options, and
one option for each of the other building envelope components.
The students must take into consideration lot lines, building
codes, aesthetics, neighborhood cohesiveness, energy performance (both passive heat loss and air leakage), occupant
health and comfort, durability, costs of materials and labor, scheduling of the work, and the environmental implications of
each and every suggestion and material specified, including demolition and material disposal. With all of this to consider,
these second year students must draw upon their experience and previous courses in construction technology, construction
graphics, building science, estimating, building codes, report writing
and team building skills.
At the end of the course, the deliverable is a final report from each group,
and a 15 minute presentation to the building owners and students. The
reports include extensive write-ups on the history of each building and
neighborhood, detailed section drawings of all the relevant components
with dew-point analyses (to avoid condensation risks), extensive
heat-loss calculations and energy modeling analyses using Hot2000 or
REM/Rate software of total building energy consumption (before and
after retrofit), and a pay-back projection for each approach. This past year
we were lucky in having Mr. Graham Fisher, an energy-modeling expert
from Clearsphere Consulting as a guest lecturer to help the students
understand some of the intricacies of energy modeling.
Three years ago when the project house was on Harper Avenue, the
renovator managed to achieve an Energuide 79 rating using an interior insulation approach.
Overall, the project has been deemed a success from both the perspectives of the students involved over the years, as well
BUILDER NEWS
Adaptive Reuse of Existing Buildings
TO STUDENTS AT GEORGE BROWN COLLEGE
CHRIS TIMUSK, PH.D.
FUTURE PROOFING HARPER AVE. PROJECT – REAR ADDITION AND GUT JOB
HOUSE GUTTED AND RE-INSULATED WITH ROXUL

13
BUILDER NEWS
Three reasons why you should
hire a Construction Science and
Management Degree Co-op student.
1. Access to skilled employees, as co-op students are
trained to:
• Perform quantity takeoffs from working drawings and
specifications; prepare material schedules and participate
in the bidding process.
• Monitor progress and compile time and cost field reports,
track and update change order logs.
• Assist in the implementation of quality control measures,
material management, construction documentation
control, project management/coordination duties.
2. Meet seasonal or project demands by adding a
highly motivated co-op student to the team.
3. Reduce costs associated with:
• Recruitment - our program was developed by and for the
industry to provide candidates that are trained specifically
for the construction industry.
• Taxes - by hiring a co-op student you may qualify for an
Ontario Tax Credit. Contact us to learn more.
For more information please contact:
The Industry Liaison Office and Krisztina Arany
at karany@georgebrown.ca or 416-415-5000 x4356.
CHRIS TIMUSK, PH.D.,PROFESSOR, CENTRE FOR CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES GEORGE BROWN COLLEGE, CASA LOMA CAMPUSCTIMUSK@GEORGEBROWN.CA
as from the perspectives of the building owners who generously offered their buildings for the students to analyze. Given
our vast inventory of old structurally sound, un-insulated and energy-wasting buildings in cities across the continent, which
make up the fabric of our older neighborhoods, how better to future proof than to train our future building industry experts
with a sound foundation on adaptive reuse approaches. If anyone has such a building which they wish to retrofit in the near
future, the students and I would be happy to assist, as project buildings are needed each fall.

MyHaven Homes
LEEDSthe Way
with
Future Proofing
Paul Caverly admits he’s always
been a “bit of a tree hugger” and
a “greenie.”
So when his company, MyHaven
GreenVision Homes, was commissioned
to build a new custom home in Toronto’s
Riverdale neighbourhood, he saw an
opportunity to work with the owners to
create a home that would provide them
with energy efficient, sustainable living
now and well into the future.
The family of four had been living in an
older one-and-a-half storey home and
wanted something larger. They were very
interested in energy efficiency and when
Caverly and Levitt Goodman Architects
floated the idea of trying to achieve LEED
Gold with the house, the homeowners
gave their support. The three-storey, four-
bedroom house, which is 2,468 square
feet including the basement, is the first
LEED home MyHaven and the architect
have worked on.
GREEN BUILDER PAUL CAVERLY
By Tracy Hanes
14

FEATURE STORY
15
It was completed in fall 2012 and is designed so that the homeowners can
add features in the future such as air conditioning, verandas and rooftop
solar panels.
The project illustrates that LEED can be achieved even in a relatively
modest house and working within a fairly tight budget.
“The owners were very interested and my company and the architects
shared the costs of administering LEED,” says Caverly. “We thought it
was important to put a label on it. These clients were motivated – a lot of
people are – and it doesn’t cost that much more. The added costs are not
really significant and you are going to get it back through energy savings.”
One of the most effective ways to market Future Proofing is to use energy
modelling, says Caverly.
The home's unique design employs many windows to create a feeling of
open space. Special high performance windows with selective coatings
balance day lighting while reducing heat loss in the winter and heat gain in
the summer. Inline Fiberglass frames provide durability and reduce failure
as the glass and frame move together under temperature variation.

16
“It’s very powerful as you can put in the potential dollar
savings,” he notes. “You are able to show the homeowner
that if you use this wall assembly or this insulation or this
heating system, this is your potential savings in real dollars.”
The three-storey, four-bedroom house, which is 2,468
square feet including the basement, is the first LEED
home for MyHaven and Levitt Goodman.
For their vision to work, it required an integrated team
approach and regular meetings including Caverly, the
architect, homeowner, trades people and the HVAC
contractor - Alpha Comfort Control. They all participated
in a design charette led by LEED accredited professional
John Godden of Clearsphere.
“We always do integrated design to some extent with
our projects, but this was a little more involved, more
structured,” says Caverly. “And in working with the
LEED checklist, it certainly got us looking at things that
we might not have considered. Whether we ever build
another LEED home or not, we will refer to that checklist
from here on.”
The house’s location itself earned LEED points, as the new
home was being built on previously used lands and was
close to transit, amenities and parks.
While the team had to be mindful of how they could
achieve the items on the LEED checklist, they also were
aware that the homeowners had a limited budget, so had
to explore how to get the best value.
The building envelope is paramount to energy efficiency and
Caverly opted to use Roxul rockwool insulation products
throughout the home and spray foam spots that need
additional air sealing. The HVAC system is a combination
boiler that supplies both domestic hot water and heat for
the radiant heat flooring in the concrete floors.
“There was a synergy with one work item rolling off into
supporting another, and this was the case with the concrete
floor. It houses the radiant heat system and is also being
used as the finished floor,” says Caverly. “It has a burnished
finish and serves as an architectural feature, but the
homeowner could still put wood over it in future if they
want. It was part of the value engineering process.”
FEATURE STORY
LARGE SIDE-YARD SET BACK ALLOWS FOR GENEROUS DAY LIGHTING

Other value engineering included pre-cutting lumber so
there would be no waste and locating the hot water supply
close to fixtures so the water doesn’t have to travel the
length of the house.
“We’ve done that in projects since and it’s a very simple
thing,” says Caverly. A drain water heat recovery pipe was
also incorporated. “That’s a standard for us and in this
case, we were dealing with a contractor who had never
installed one before, so there was a learning curve.”
LEED also required the team to think about how to deal
with storm water and how to avoid it going into city storm
sewers, so extensive gravel beds were used for backfill
and a trench put in the front lawn. To gain an additional
LEED point in future, the homeowner can always add a
rain harvester and use the collected rainwater for watering
the lawn and gardens.
During construction, Caverly’s team diverted construction
waste and employed erosion control by stockpiling soil
excavated during the build. It was protected from rain and
prevented from running into sewers by a silt fence that
allowed water, but not dirt, to pass through. Some existing
plants and trees were preserved on site. As termites are an
issue in the neighbourhood, the gravel beds and construction
site were sprayed with non-toxic termite bait three different
times.
To avoid another potential problem, the home was equipped
with a passive radon abatement system, a perforated pipe
under the insulated basement slab, which will negate any
issues with radon gas.
Despite the extensive windows in the house, it is so well
insulated, it had very low air changes, (1.66 which is close
to R2000) and had a HERS score of 52.
The home is sited specifically to take advantage of solar gain
and optimize daylight and has no central air conditioning
system, though it would be easy to install it in future, if the
homeowner deems it necessary.
“It’s fairly common for us, depending on the client, not to
install air conditioning in homes,” says Caverly. “You have
to think about passive ventilation and passive solar and you
have to take care with the overhangs. These are absolutely
free things. If you spend a little time on the design process,
it can make all the difference in the world.”
This home has a straight-sloped roof and is designed so
air can flow from the main floor through open windows up
the stairwell to the third floor. During summer evenings,
the homeowner will open the windows on the main floor
to allow cool air in, and due to stack effect, it will travel
up through the home. Windows will be closed during the
17ISSUE 05 | SPRING 2013
FEATURE STORY
SLIDING WALL CREATES FLEX SPACE

18
day to keep warm air out. Ceiling fans help to mitigate
heat issues as well. Caverly says “it was amazing” how
cool the home stayed in late summer and he doubts the
residents will ever install air conditioning.
Other features of the home include a Panasonic motion-
sensor bathroom fan (ultra quiet and equipped with a
DC motor for super energy efficiency), water-conserving
fixtures, low-VOC paints, adhesives and cabinets, and
Energy Star rated lighting and appliances.
Products such as the low VOC adhesives were not hard to
find, “but the bigger concern for us, is are they proven?”
Caverly notes. “We had to do research, but these products
are getting more common and information is more readily
available.”
Some concessions had to be made to fit the LEED criteria.
“We did have some trade-offs,” says Caverly. “In order
to get points for LEED, we had to increase the density of
the home. There was an open space on the second floor
so we put in a sliding wall of doors to create a flex space
that can be considered as a bedroom or office” and
that’s an idea he’s used in other projects since.
Because of the clients’ budget constraints, some items will wait for the future, such as completing landscaping and one
bathroom and adding covered verandas.
Caverly says one important consideration that “has been ignored forever in homes” is balancing of the HVAC system to
get even airflow and eliminate hot and cold spots as well as get optimal energy efficiency. He says homeowners must
be educated on how to operate their
home systems and need to know things
such as when to change HRV filters, so
he suggests creating a homeowner’s
manual.
He also does “air scrubbing” in his homes
using equipment outfitted with a HEPA
filter removes dust and toxins in the air
before homeowners move in, to provide
his clients with excellent indoor air quality
when they move in.
TRACY HANES IS A FREELANCE FEATURE WRITER FOR THE
LARGEST DAILY NEWSPAPER IN CANADA AND SEVERAL
MAGAZINES. WWW.TRACYHANES.CA
OPEN STAIRWELL AND CONCRETE FLOORS
Conditioned floor area: 2629 square feet
Estimated annual energy usage:
Natural Gas Consumption
Green House Gas Emissions
Estimated average
monthly energy bill *:
This home meets the
Green is 50
Builders’
Challenge
MyHaven Homes
Address: 32 Grandview
Rated by: Clearsphere Consulting
Rating Conducted: July 25th , 2012
This rating is available for homes built by leading edge builders who have
chosen to advance beyond current energy efficiency programs and have
taken the next step on the path to full sustainability.
110 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0
52Your Home is
IECC OBC 09-77
This house is rated using the Home Energy Rating System (HERS), property of RESNET of Oceanside,
CA. The Green is 50 Builders’ Challenge is a Pilot Program sponsored by CRESNET and delivered by
Clearsphere.
John Godden Feb. 26th, 2013
* Cost of Natural Gas for Space and Hot Water
Clearsphere
GREEN IS 50
BUILDER NEWS

BUILDER NEWS
rHVCA
ResidentialHeatingVentilation
ContractorsAssociation
rhvca.com | info@rhvca.com | 905-264-9967
heart
The
of your
home
Don’t leave the health of your home’s
most valuable asset to chance. Trust only
a RHVCA member to design, install and
service your heating, cooling and ventilation
system. Our members represent the
highest standards of training, certification,
and expertise in the HVAC industry.

20
BUILDER NEWS
When Susan Lee and Tom Kennedy bought their 1910 home
in Riverdale two years ago, they weren’t sure if they’d raze it
and build new, or attempt a major gut and reno on the 1910
home. After living in the house for six months – to get a feel
for the light path and to get to know neighbours in case of
committee of adjustment proceedings – they decided to
start fresh.
Although the A-frame house had a lot of space, the bedrooms
weren’t big and they weren’t sure it would accommodate their
family the way they wanted, Lee says. Soon after moving in,
they also discovered the foundation was in bad shape and
“leaking all over.”
That first six months was fraught with stress, especially
over deciding to renovate or build new, and then the intense
planning period that included finding an architect, drawing
up blueprints and arranging to rent elsewhere for the year
it would take to build. At the time, they juggled hectic careers
– Kennedy in finance and Lee in real estate – planning and
budgeting for the new house, plus one small child and
another on the way.
As a very design savvy young Toronto couple, they already
knew architecture firms, especially ones sympathetic to/
aligned with their own modern and sustainable interests.
They ended up hiring Levitt Goodman Architects, a firm
known for its innovative design approach to small urban
spaces and experienced in better green building.
Working with the couple closely, architects Dean Goodman
and associate Katrina Touw came up with a design that
made optimum use of space, enabling them to retain the
home’s original footprint, thus eliminate the need for committee
of adjustment hearings.
Through the architects, Lee and Kennedy were introduced to
Paul Caverly, a builder actively involved in green construction
for at least 25 years. Although other builders were considered,
Lee says they went with Caverly for his experience in building
modern, and his clear green philosophy.
Green was definitely an interest for the couple. Kennedy was
always reading up on alternative energies, and Lee was very
conscious of green choices, especially recycling, within
the home. As aware as they were about green energy –
geothermal for example – some of Goodman’s and Caverly’s
sustainability suggestions were so new they’d never even
heard of them.
As it turned out, geothermal heating and cooling system
ended up being “a non-starter,” Lee says, because of the
cost – it couldn’t be done on a budget that included building
a new house.
Instead, Caverly suggested a drain water heat recovery
system, which is essentially a copper coil wrapped around
the main drain (more commonly known as the stack). This
draws heat out of the waste hot water from showers and
dishwasher in order to help pre-heat incoming water that will
be further heated by the Flomax boiler.
Because the heating and cooling system is hydronic
(i.e. water), the heat recovery ventilator is an air delivery
system unlike a regular furnace. It is fully ducted, with
ducts exhausting air from the bathrooms and bringing in
fresh air throughout the house to each room. The Flomax
boiler hangs on the wall in the basement taking up very
little space, and heats water both for domestic use (baths,
showers, washing dishes) and for the heated floors.
The in-floor radiant heat system, with water coils embedded
underneath the concrete floors, is actually responsible for heat-
ing the house. It also came as a bit of a surprise for Lee. In her
years as a real estate agent, she’s seen plenty of houses with
radiant heat in the bathroom floors, but never whole homes.
ALEX NEWMAN
Building New: LEED was the Right
Way To Go
PAUL CAVERLY, SUSAN LEE, TOM KENNEDY AND THEIR CHILDREN

ISSUE 05 | SPRING 2013 21
ALEX NEWMAN IS A WRITER, EDITOR AND RESEARCHER AT WWW.INTEGRITYCOMMUNICATIONS.CA
CEILING FANS AND OPERABLE SKYLIGHTS REDUCE THE NEED FOR AIR CONDITIONING
One reason to go with radiant floors, explains John Godden
who worked with Caverly on the initial energy audit and HRV
choices, is that with so many windows, it’s one of the best
ways to ensure a house maintains a steady comfortable
atmosphere.
That’s because radiant doesn’t heat the air, but surfaces,
Godden explains. “Radiant heat minimizes the temperature
differential between body cold surfaces like windows. Fifty
percent of being comfortable is minimizing the radiant heat
loss from your body. When you’re out in the sun, you’ll notice
it heats your body, not the air.”
With the radiant heat distribution -- heating space through
water -- it wasn’t possible to have central air. That also came
as a surprise to Lee, but she understands why it’s effective
at cooling the house – passively, using the chimney effect, or
otherwise known as “hot air rises.”
With architectural details such as open stair risers that allow
freer air movement, the system includes a skylight at the top
of the house above the stairs that draws hot air out. To assist
with the natural ventilation of hot air rising and out the sky-
light, a Panasonic fan with special DC motor technology has
been installed in the bathroom on the third floor of the house.
It helps exhaust the air through mechanical means.
Additionally, each room has ceiling fans, and in spring they
expect to install an awning on the south facing window, and
plant two trees, all contributing to the home’s passive cooling.
To further support the HRV, construction includes an exterior
cladding of Certain Teed cement board siding, under which is
a skin that prevents water penetration. They’ve also bumped
up the insulation, some of which is spray-in foam, but mostly
it’s rock wool, a high efficiency insulation of 75% recycled
content that’s made locally and contains no VOCs.
All paints used had low VOC content, no carpets cover the
durable natural-cement floors, and the house was sited
far enough from the neighbouring house to allow for more
windows that provide tons of natural light. When it came to
the windows, both Caverly and Godden insisted on flashing
outside and under each window, using the Blueskin flashing
system, to prevent any water penetration.
Proper flashing is a big feature of a LEED home, Godden
points out, “and they’ll end up getting some durability points
for it.”
With so many green elements being introduced in the house,
Caverly asked Godden’s opinion about whether it could be
deemed a LEED candidate. After looking over the site, and
the plans, Godden said yes, and then suggested the couple
target a LEED gold designation.
Now that Lee and Kennedy have moved “home” with their
two children (the baby was born just before the house was
completed), Lee says she is “stunned” by so much about it.
As a real estate agent with resale and square footage on her
mind, Lee was most impressed by how big the house felt,
“way bigger than we expected it to be. That’s the way it was
designed, to allow maximum light and minimize the lighting
requirements.”
She credits the increased volume -- ten foot ceilings on the
main floor and vaulted even higher in the kitchen – with why
the identical footprint feels so much bigger.
“It’s a modest house, really,” Lee says. “1800 sq ft isn’t
huge but it’s so well designed. We wanted a certain square
footage, and specific number of bedrooms and baths.
I think we got most of that. But the square footage was a
lesson for me, especially as a real estate agent, to not think
of it as a number, but to take volume into consideration, as
well as really good design.”
What’s possibly impressed her more is the in-floor radiant
heating. “It’s lovely, a wonderful type of heat that warms up
instantly and allows you to walk around in bare feet. When
your feet are warm, you feel warm.” After the initial novelty
of walking around barefoot, Kennedy suggested they start
wearing socks for even greener results.
Godden laughs: “That’s because women have a higher core
body temperature than men, and are more frequently cold.”
It’s too soon to tell how much the new system will save them
in reduced energy bills, but Lee says with their most recent
gas bill, “it certainly seems as though it’s more affordable,
considering the house is almost twice as big, more volume,
and it’s highly efficient and airtight.” Their approach scored
a 52 on the HERS index fetching them LEED points towards
their Gold certification.
BUILDER NEWS

Do the bathroom fans you install
exhaust more than just air?
Choose ENERGY STAR®
compliant WhisperGreen™ ventilation fans from Panasonic®
for your next project and help
homeowners rein in energy costs while controlling mould and mildew.
The built-in motion sensor with adjustable delay timer automatically turns the fan on when someone enters the room.
The delay timer activates when motion is no longer detected so wasted electricity caused by fans left turned on is eliminated,
while damage-causing moisture is brought under control.
Quiet, powerful, energy efficient and easy to install, Panasonic ventilation fans are ENERGY STAR, LEED and ASHRAE 62.2
compliant making them a wise choice in sustainable building.
WhisperGreen fans from Panasonic — the easy way to leaner, greener ventilation.
To learn more about Panasonic ventilation fans visit www.panasonic.ca, email VentilationFans@ca.panasonic.com
or call 1-800-669-5165

ISSUE 04 | WINTER 2012
BUILDER NEWS
23
The Sustainable Housing
Foundation’s Energy Rating Summit
If it were not for the thoughtfulness of a colleague of mine, I would have
completely missed a most memorable, eye opening all day event: the Home Energy
Rating Summit and Sustainable Product Tradeshow. It was held at Fantasy
Farm, Pottery Road Toronto, on Thursday, January 31, 2013. The event was
sponsored by the Canadian Residential Energy Services Network (CRESNET)
and the Sustainable Housing Foundation. The main intent and purpose of the
event was to consolidate knowledge and expertise. The hosts and sponsors offered cutting edge technologically and
products that were packaged so that they could be sold to the general public.
The Master of Ceremonies, John Godden, President of CRESNET, introduced the first speaker Craig Backman, the Chair
of the Sustainable Housing Foundation (SHF). Craig gave a very enlightening presentation on “building a sustainable
future” an initiative involving Scotiabank. Scotiabank EcoLiving has partnered with the SHF to help all Canadians
save energy and money. Savings achieved through the SHF working with designers, new-home builders, renovators,
academia, government and directly with the home owners. This effort will continuously increase the number of sustainable
homes across Canada. Craig also talked about the first pilot project named “Project FutureProof – Beaches Community
Retrofit” that will be launched soon. When each home is completed the owners are encouraged to have an open house
to showcase the benefits of the retrofit to their friends and neighbours; rather like a Tupperware party! The hope is that
Project FutureProof will spread across the GTA, across Ontario and finally across the whole of Canada. A grass-roots
approach that I think is a marvelous idea.
Following Craig’s excellent presentation, John gave a very interesting and informative overview of recent Ontario Building
Code changes with respect to the Energy Performance Path. He discussed “better than code strategies” and the benefits
of “renovating with HERS”(Home Energy Rating Scale). If you want to know more about this I would encourage you to
visit John’s website at www.clearsphere.ca where you will find informative material.
Being a Tradeshow as well as a Summit, the hall was bordered with table top displays of sustainable products and
supporting literature that was freely available to the delegates to take. The speakers for the rest of the day were made
up of representatives of the sponsoring/exhibiting companies who gave very instructive insight into their products and
how they would integrate into a “marketable package”. The following is a list of participating manufacturers:
• High performance windows and skylights - Inline Fiberglass & Velux.
• The ultimate wall (Habitat case study) - Roxul. Inc.
• Durability strategies (Habitat case study) - Henry Company.
• Combination heating systems (applications for new code & EnergyStar) - Airmax.
• Ventilation strategies for new and existing homes - Panasonic a VanEE.
• Grey water rough-ins with drain water heat recovery systems - Greyter & Renewability.
At the end of all of the presentations there was a lively Q and A session followed by closing comments.
I believe that all the delegates left the summit knowing about the options, technical information and products that will
contribute to the future proofing of homes across Canada.
BRIAN L. ABBEY
BRIAN L ABBEY, TECHNOLOGIST OAAAS. M.A.A.T.O. BSSO. A.SC.T. CSC. BCQ. PRINCIPAL, ADTEK BUILDING CONSULTANTS HTTP://WWW.ADTEKBUILDING.COM.

BUILDER NEWS
24
The energy consumed to run our homes presents a
significant and growing financial burden to homeowners.
In fact, more than 17 percent of the energy consumed
in Canada is used to run our homes. Awareness of this
fact is increasingly affecting the purchase and renovation
decisions of Canadians. CMHC’s annual Renovation and
Home Purchase Report surveys homeowners in ten major
Canadian cities, and among its aims it seeks to determine
what is motivating renovation spending. When asked if the
reason to renovate was “to make their home more energy
efficient,” 29% of respondents in 2011 responded “yes”
versus only 7% in 2010. See Figure 3 from the report.
Arguably, this surge in interest in renovating for energy
savings is a result of a growing awareness of the need to
address downstream costs in the face of ever increasing
utility expenses coupled with a greater concern for the
environment. The availability of federal, provincial and
municipal grants and rebates during the survey period no
doubt was a contributor as well.
There’s also a growing appreciation that energy efficiency
is important as a selling feature if and when a homeowner
decides to sell. Indeed, an energy inefficient home will
have trouble competing in a resale marketplace which
now includes a growing roster of energy efficient homes
and condominium apartments. Whether they are newly
constructed as Energy Star Homes, LEED-Certified
Condos or they are older homes having undergone deep
green renovations induced through the former EcoEnergy
Rebates, such homes will garner more favourable financing,
an increased pool of potential purchasers and higher market
values when compared to homes of similar scale and vintage
which are not as energy efficient.
Referring once again to CMHC’s annual Renovation and
Home Purchase Report, the main reason reported by house-
holds for renovating in 2011 was that they wanted “to update,
add value, or to prepare to sell their home” (74 per cent
of renovating households). This was also the main reason
reported for renovating in 2010. See Figure 3 from the report.
Now that consumers are beginning to link energy efficiency
with adding value, we will see growth in renovations designed
to improve energy efficiency.
Whether you plan to occupy, rent or sell your home, energy
efficiency is a wise investment as it allows you to reduce
operating costs while increasing its market value. Simply
put, it allows you to Future Proof your Real Estate
Investment.
THE TORONTO REAL ESTATE
BOARD’S GREEN PROPERTY
INFORMATION SHEET (GPIS)
Real Estate Sales professionals involved in the sale of both
new and resale homes and condominium apartment units
are becoming savvier in educating their clients regarding
the many benefits of energy efficiency. They have many
new tools to convey the business case and consumers are
responding in kind.
The Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) is well aware of
the growing interest in design features which improve
energy efficiency, reduce operating costs, reduce a
home’s environmental footprint and improve a home’s
marketability.
To this end, in July 2011, they released the Green Property
Information Sheet (GPIS) which Realtors may attach to
a typical MLS listing. The five page GPIS includes the
following Information fields: Energy Rating, Energy Source,
Appliances, Lighting, Ventilation, Space Cooling and Heating,
Water Conservation, Insulation, Windows, Finishes,
Building Materials & Techniques, Recycling, Landscaping,
Surrounding Environment, Orientation and Site Placement.
Future Proofing Your Real Estate
Investment
MARK SALERNO & BILL JOHNSTON

ISSUE 05 | SPRING 2013 25
BUILDER NEWS
The GPIS may be coupled with an EcoEnergy Audit Report or
a HERS Rating Report to provide further details on a home’s
energy efficiency. Another recent addition to some MLS
listings is the “Walk Score.” The scale is from 0-100, with
“0” being entirely car-dependant and “100” being a walker's
dream. With these tools, Realtors are now better equipped
than ever to showcase an energy efficient home or point out
areas of potential improvement in a fixer-upper.
CMHC GREEN HOME –
CMHC’S MORTGAGE LOAN
INSURANCE REBATE FOR
ENERGY EFFICIENT HOUSING
Unfortunately, the Federal and Ontario government rebates
are no longer available as an inducement to encourage
renovations focused on energy efficiency. However, CMHC’s
Green Home Product continues to offer a 10% mortgage loan
insurance premium refund when one uses CMHC insured
financing to make energy-saving renovations to their home
or to purchase an energy-efficient home or condominium
apartment. CMHC added environmentally friendly features to
the Mortgage Loan Insurance it offered in 2004 and continues
to offer them today.
For most people, the hardest part of buying a home —
especially a first home — is saving the necessary down
payment.
The availability of CMHC Mortgage Loan Insurance allows a
consumer to buy a house with a minimum down payment of
5%. Offered through most financial institutions, this simple
solution has enabled millions of Canadians to realize the
dream of homeownership. Where one purchases an energy
efficient home, the 10% rebate on the CMHC Mortgage Loan
Insurance premium can amount to close to $1,300.
The CMHC Mortgage Loan Insurance Rebate can be
achieved through a range of purchase scenarios as follows:
1. Buying and Renovating a Fixer-Upper through a
Purchase Plus Improvement Mortgage
A Purchase Plus Improvement Mortgage allows one to
finance up to 95% of the as-improved value of a fixer upper
(based upon lender’s estimate). This means, you can pay for
your home and have financing under the same mortgage to
cover the cost of renovations you undertake upon occupancy.
Where those renovations improve the energy efficiency of
the home by 5 points on the EnerGuide Scale (and the rating
is not less than 40), the purchaser will be eligible for a 10%
rebate on the mortgage loan insurance premium.
The Purchase Plus Improvement financing option is a cost-
effective and prudent approach as compared to the typical
scenario where a home is purchased, renovations are under-
taken and financed through other more expensive financial
products (e.g. a credit card, personal loan, or an unsecured
line of credit). Further, current mortgage rules only allow for
a refinance of up to 80% of the value of the home, effectively
eliminating refinancing as an option in many cases.
2. Buying a New Home Certified under a CMHC-Eligible
Energy-Efficient Building Program
3. Typical Purchase of $600,000 with 5% down and a 25
year amortization yields a Mortgage Loan Insurance
Fee of $12,825.00 and a 10% rebate of $1,283.
4. A purchaser must procure the services of an NRCan
qualified energy advisor to obtain the current energy
rating for the home. The energy advisor will assess
the home again after the energy-saving renovations
are finished to assess whether the energy rating has
improved by at least 5 points and has achieved an
overall rating of at least 40.

26
BUILDER NEWS
For houses and units located in low rise residential buildings
the house or unit must have been built under a CMHC-eligible
energy-efficient building program as listed in the sidebar
down below, or have been assessed by a Natural Resources
Canada (NRCan) qualified energy advisor and have an
EnerGuide rating that complies with the applicable
requirement stated in the table below:
A homeowner would be required to obtain and provide CMHC
with either the CMHC-eligible energy-efficient building
program certification or the first page of the EnerGuide
performance report showing the EnerGuide rating of the house.
To be eligible for a 10% refund, the supporting documentation
must be dated no more than five years prior to the date of
the application. Where the applicable supporting documentation
is older than 5 years, the borrower is required to obtain a
current energy efficiency evaluation.
The net effect of this is that once constructed, an energy
efficient home continues to bring mortgage loan insurance
savings to future owners of that home even if the code of
the day has become more stringent. In fact, it’s conceivable
that if a home sold 2 to 4 times in the 5-year period since
construction it could garner an aggregate of $2,600 to
$5,200 in rebates across that group of owners.
This means that progressive builders constructing homes
beyond the building code of the day are in fact future proofing
those homes by building a legacy of savings both for their
initial clients and for downstream resale purchasers that the
builder will never have a direct connection to. This is surely a
great example of leadership and one which gives a leg up and
yet another tool to the Real Estate professionals involved in
the resale of those energy efficient homes.
Mortgage Loan Insurance rebates may also accrue for the
purchase of condominium apartment units located in energy
efficient high rise residential buildings. Eligibility is dictated
by the energy performance of the building. For mortgages
closing on or after January 1st, 2013, the building in which
the unit is located must be the higher of:
• 5% more energy-efficient than if constructed to meet
provincial/territorial requirements where they exist – in
Ontario, this means 30% more energy-efficient than if
constructed to meet the Model National Energy Code for
Buildings (MNECB); or
• 20% more energy-efficient than if constructed to meet
the Model National Energy Code for Buildings (MNECB).
As with low-rise development, the mortgage loan insurance
rebate continues to be available for future purchasers of
an energy efficient unit. However, whereas in low-rise, the
unit has to be reassessed after 5 years, in high rise unit's
the CMHC's Mortgage Loan Insurance rebate will accrue in
perpetuity (or as long as CMHC offers its Green Home product)
since CMHC recognizes that as codes become more stringent
condo unit owners can't readily affect change to the common
elements which are what largely dictate energy performance.
Once again, this means that builders who take a leadership
position are building a legacy of benefits for many units
owners well into the future – indeed, helping those purchasers
to Future Proof their Real Estate Investment.
MARK SALERNO, CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION; BILL JOHNSTON,
BOSLEY REAL ESTATE LTD. BROKERAGE
CMHC-ELIGIBLE ENERGY-EFFICIENT BUILDING PROGRAMS
• R-2000 (National)
• LEED Canada For Homes EGH 80*+ (National)
• Power Smart New Homes (British Columbia)
• Built Green™ British Columbia Platinum Label Homes (Note:
Gold, Silver and Bronze label homes are only eligible if they
receive an EnerGuide evaluation indicating they meet CMHC’s
minimum score of 80*)
• GreenHome™ and Super GreenHome™ (Yukon)
• Built Green™ Platinum Label Homes (Alberta) (Alberta) (Note:
Gold, Silver and Bronze label homes are only eligible if they
receive an EnerGuide evaluation indicating they meet CMHC’s
minimum score of 80*)
• ENERGY STAR® for New Homes (Saskatchewan)
• Power Smart™ (Manitoba)
• GreenHouse™ (Ontario)
• ENERGY STAR® (Ontario)
• NovoclimatMC (Quebec)
FOR PURCHASES WITH A
CLOSING DATE...
ENERGUIDE RATING
REQUIRED
On or after January 1st, 2013 82
From April 1st, 2010 to
December 31st, 2012
80
From July 27st, 2005 to
March 31st, 2010
77

BUILDER NEWS
27
On August 19, 2005, Southern Ontario experienced the province’s most expensive natural disaster causing $500 million
in insured damage. The summer storm resulted in 13,011 sewer back up claims from homeowners from Kitchener to
Oshawa. On November 27, 2011 a wind storm in Calgary caused over $200 million in damage. These and other weather
related events are costing Canadians billions of dollars every year.
Canada’s Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR), established
in 1997, is a world class centre devoted to disaster prevention research
and communication. It is an independent not-for-profit research institute
founded by the insurance industry and affiliated with Western University.
ICLR has devoted many years to developing new construction practices
to help build more weather resilient housing.
The 2012 Ontario Building Code now includes provisions that require
more nails in plywood roof sheathing in response to a submission from
ICLR and a team of researchers from Western University reflecting the
changing weather.
Adding more roof nails is just one example of how ICLR is working with
homebuilders across Canada to identify building practices that can
result in more resilient homes — homes that can better resist the damage
caused by wind, snow, ice, earthquakes, and other hazards. The work
provides a science-based foundation for the construction of disaster
resilient homes as part of an adaptive strategy to deal with the increasing
frequency and severity of extreme weather events.
ICLR’s new resilient home program encourages practices that help protect
the home from sewer backup and basement flooding, from wind and hail
storms, and from water damage and ice damming. The practices go
beyond the current building code to significantly enhance performance
at minimal cost. Working with the Ontario Home Builders Association’s
Technical Committee, 12 practices were identified that merited additional
field testing.
John Dunnink of Dunnink Homes was the first Ontario Builder to take up
the challenge. Working with a team from buildABILITY Corporation and
the ICLR team, John has built Ontario’s first Resilient Home in Guelph,
Ontario to showcase a number of the ICLR practices. Mainline Backwater
Valve Company provided the backwater valve and Henry Building Products
also assisted by providing the roof underlay and ice damming protection
with the use of their Henry/Bakor Blueskin®
RF 200 Self-Adhesive Ice and
Water Barrier.
The RF200 is an SBS modified bitumen high-temperature roofing underlayment reinforced with a textured skid-resistant
polyethylene film. The membrane is specifically designed to be self-adhered on sloped roof to protect the building’s
interior from damage caused by water infiltration as a result of ice dams or wind-driven rain. In severe wind events,
shingles tend to flap around and eventually can get blown off. In extreme weather, it's not safe to get back on the roof
to do the repair. But the rain does not stop. With the RF200 fully bonded to the plywood deck, the building is water
tight — even without the shingles. It can be left exposed for days or weeks until the repair can be made safely — it's no
MICHAEL LIO
Dunnink Homes Builds Ontario’s
First ICLR Resilient Home
HENRY/BAKAR BLUESKIN® RF 200 ROOF UNDERLAYMENT
INSTALLED ON THE ROOF
BLUESKINVP™160 (BLUE) USED OVER THE BASEMENT WALL AND
BLUESKIN TWF (YELLOW) INSTALLED OVER THE BRICK SILL

Next generation technology
for wood frame construction
Drawing on decades of commercial air barrier experience, Henry
Company has created BlueskinVP™ – a fully-adhered Building
Envelope System®
that functions not only as a water resistant
barrier and rain barrier, but stops uncontrolled air leakage to
improve building comfort, safety and energy efficiency.
• Provides superior moisture and water protection
• Eliminates drafts to improve comfort
• Reduces energy costs
• Improves insulation performance
• Simple to install
Fully adhered means:
Air Tight
Water Tight
Weather Tight
Picks up where traditional house wraps leave off!
For more on how BlueskinVP™
contributes to an effective
Building Envelope System®
, watch our new movie at
www.ca.henry.com/blueskinvpmovie
Project by Build Urban
(buildurban.com)

29
BUILDER NEWS
IS-
longer an emergency situation. Rather than only covering the eaves and
valleys, Dunnink Homes applied the RF200 on the entire roof to prevent
ice damming at eaves and water penetration across the entire roof. As
one of North America’s leading product manufacturers, Henry Building
Products also provided their expertise to the project by integrating
additional measures to better protect the home from moisture, water, and
severe rain:
• BlueskinVP™160 on the walkout basement exterior wall. This fully
adhered, vapor permeable membrane system eliminates air leakage
while functioning as a water-resistant barrier and rain barrier. Bonded
with a patented, permeable adhesive layer and split-back poly-release
film, it adheres to the wall substrate without mechanical attachment.
• Blueskin WB Window and Door Flashing was applied around window
openings to ensure the opening is impermeable to air, moisture vapor
and water. The WB flashing is a self-adhering membrane that can be
applied in temperatures as low as -12ºC. It has excellent adhesion to
prepared substrates of concrete, concrete block, primed steel, aluminum
mill finish, anodized aluminum, galvanized metal, gypsum board
and plywood.
BLUESKIN WB WINDOW AND DOOR FLASHING AROUND
WINDOW OPENINGS
HURRICANE TIES FOR ROOF TRUSSES
• Blueskin TWF over the brick sill. TWF is a self-
adhered membrane consisting of an SBS
rubberized asphalt compound, which is integrally
laminated to a yellow cross-laminated polyethylene
film. The membrane is specifically designed for
use as a through-wall flashing. Some people think
that the veneer — brick siding or stucco — are the
weather control layers, keeping the rain and wind
out. In fact they are not! They are full of holes
and small cracks. The wind and the rain find their
way through, often resulting in rot, rust & mould,
not to mention all that wasted energy, drafts and
cold spots. Blueskin is the last line of defense
against the weather, keeping the inside "in" and
the outside "out", making us more comfortable
and making buildings last longer.
Adapting housing to the changing climate will continue
to require collaboration. Researchers, homebuilders,
manufacturers and government all have a role to play
in giving Canadians houses that can withstand the new
extremes in weather.
MICHAEL LIO IS PRESIDENT OF BUILDABILITY CORPORATION, MICHAEL@BUILDABILITY.CA

30
BUILDER NEWS
Le Belvédère, a wedding, meeting and corporate events facility, is nearing its
ambitious goal of being North America’s largest commercial Certified Passive
House structure. Helping to place the Wakefield, Quebec business on the
green building map is Certified Passive House Consultant and Homesol
Building Solutions President, Ross Elliott.
Passive House design represents the world’s most advanced energy efficiency
standard. Certified Passive House buildings slash heating energy consumption
by over 80% compared to conventional construction, yet cost only 2 -10%
more to build. Passive House is equivalent to North America’s 2030 emissions
target for all buildings – making today’s Passive Houses net-zero-ready and
decades ahead of their time.
The 8,000 square foot Le Belvédère facility is built on a challenging rock
outcrop overlooking the majesty of the Gatineau Hills in Eastern Quebec. The
Building has an interior volume of 150,000 cubic feet and an energy footprint
equivalent to a 1,500 square foot house. The size is nearly six times larger
than the average American home built in 2011. Yet, Elliott predicts Le
Belvédère will have an annual electric heating bill as low as $600.
Le Belvédère incorporates state-of-the-art construction techniques and ultra
energy-efficient mechanical systems, including:
• R117 cellulose (recycled newspaper) attic insulation, triple the 2012
building code
• 18 inch thick, R71 walls (insulated with rock wool)
• European Passive House triple glazed wood windows
• Cold weather Mitsubishi air source heat pump for heating and cooling,
with innovative waste heat capture and storage
• Less than 0.5 ACH50 air-tightness, about seven times tighter than
typical new construction
• Custom built 2,200 cfm enthalpy recovery ventilator (ERV) with 90%+ heat
recovery
• LED lighting throughout, which alone saves approximately $4,000 per year in
energy costs
Elliott has a 30-year career as an energy auditor and homebuilder. His
company verifies approximately 1,200 buildings a year to R-2000, Energy
Star, LEED and Passive House standards. As a Certified Passive House
Consultant, he has professional qualifications from the Passive House
Institute of the United States and the Passivhaus Institute in Germany.
A Canadian Homebuilders Association (CHBA) member, Elliott believes building
industry policy makers must aim higher to achieve cold-climate efficiency. “Le
Green Building Project
PASSIVE HOUSE
ROLF BAUMANN
LE BELVÉDÈRE, OWNER BRIAN FEWSTER
ROSS ELLIOTT, PRESIDENT AND CEO HOMESOL BUILDING
SOLUTIONS INC., CPHC, LEED-AP
PASSIVE HOUSE WALL SECTION - R 71 STONE WOOL WALLS

Belvédère is located about a half-hour outside
Ottawa, which features winter temperatures colder
than Moscow, Russia. And yet we’re aiming to
exceed the Passive House standard,” he says.
“Buildings in Canada plus their associated electricity
use currently exceed all transportation emissions
combined. I challenge all North American home-
builder associations to explain why we’re still
building houses to lowest common denominator
standards,” adds Elliott.
Elliott and several colleagues are offering a
Certified Passive House Trades Training course
in Toronto from January 21-25, 2013 as well as
a nine-day Certified Passive House Consultant
Training course, taught by a team of international
Certified Passive House Consultants. This course
runs from May 13 to 17 and May 27 to 30 at
Toronto’s Ryerson University, and qualifies for 32
hours of GBCI (LEED continuing education) and
AIA continuing education credits. More details at
www.homesol.ca
ROLF BAUMANN IS CEO OF THE RGB GROUP – REAL GREEN BUILDINGS FOR
LIFE. RGB GROUP IS CANADA'S LEED DEVELOPER AND BUILDER OFFERING
GREEN BUILDING, PROJECT AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT.
OTTAWA-AREA CERTIFIED PASSIVE HOUSE (PHIUS). OWNER / BUILDER:
CHRISTOPHER STRAKA, VERT DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT INCORPORATED.
CERTIFIED PASSIVE HOUSE CONSULTANT ON PROJECT: ROSS ELLIOTT,
HOMESOL
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GreenBuild 8x10 Pstr3_Print.pdf 5/7/12 10:34:54 PM
BUILDER NEWS

32
BUILDER NEWS
Solar Ready
It’s fitting that this edition is dedicated to future proofing. This is a concept that I have been discussing and designing
into my homes for many years. Why? Because I believe that rising energy costs over the next generation will continue
to make energy efficiency a greater priority for our consumers. As an industry, we continue to build ever more energy
efficient homes. However, there is one major challenge that we face: our customers!
Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful for all of my customers and I hope to build for many more. It’s just that today’s
consumer is much more demanding than even a few years ago. They want longer showers with multiple showerheads
just like they see on the TV shows; they want their home to be uniformly cool all summer, even with that big bank of
windows facing the sun. The expectation of performance is that their utility bill will go down, or at least not change,
even though they continue to use their personal car wash (that’s what I call the full body wash shower) and run that
AC right through the day.
At some point in our customers’ future their thoughts will change from conservation to generation. That’s where future
proofing comes in. So I thought I’d share my insights on Solar Ready, the ultimate future proofing for the homes we build.
In 2007, Doug Tarry Homes was contracted by Natural Resources
Canada to conduct the Solar Ready pilot project. This included writing
the first Solar Ready technical specifications. Since 2007, we have
continued to build all of our homes with Solar Ready design as a standard
feature. In that time we have also installed several solar thermal water
heating systems. In October 2012, NRCan published the revised Solar
Ready Specifications.
So here’s the good news. Solar Ready is fairly easy and inexpensive
to include in a home provided you put some thought into it during the
design process. OK, so two storey homes can be a bit harder because
of the popularity of open concept main floors even on two storey homes.
It has been our experience that it costs an additional $350-$450 per
home for the Solar Ready rough in.
SO WHAT IS A SOLAR READY HOME?
There are two key components. First, space on the roof at a viable solar angle, and second, a conduit from mechanical
room to accessible attic space. Roof orientation for solar installations is considered viable from Southeast around to
West for solar thermal systems. South is most efficient for Photo Voltaic systems. Here are some important points to
remember:
• The solar conduit needs to run from the mechanical room to the attic. I prefer to install two – 2” conduits, rather than one
4”. If you ever have to bend the conduit slightly, there is no give in the 4”. Also the 4” requires a 2x6 wall which may not
be otherwise necessary for the home.
• It is important to avoid plumbing or mechanical runs in the dedicated location of the conduit, or it may be almost
impossible to find later on. Whatever conduit type you choose, it is important that they be capped at both the top and
bottom, otherwise you can have a condensation loop into your attic as well as a fire chase. I don’t trust tape as the
glue will diminish over time.
• Location of the future solar hot water tank should be shown on the basement plan so that the appropriate amount of
space is available. It is also good practice to show the roof elevation that the panels are intended to be installed on, so
that there is appropriate space available.
DOUG TARRY

BUILDER NEWS
33
]According to the NRCan Solar Ready
guidelines, a solar domestic hot water
heating system will cover about 50%
of a typical home’s domestic hot water
needs of the average Canadian
household, while a similar sized
solar PV system would provide
approximately 30% of annual
household electricity used for
lighting and appliance. As utility
costs rise, these savings will
become increasingly attractive to
our customers.
One other benefit of future proofing
I have noticed is customer credibility.
I have heard many customers
comment that if our company puts
that much thought into something
that they might need in the future,
then the rest of the home must be
just as well thought out. Perhaps
the future proofing that is really
taking place is that of our own
business.
The Solar Ready Guidelines can be
found on NRCan’s website www.
canmetenergy.nrcan.gc.ca.
Reliable,
customized,
maRtinoHeating • air conditioning • indoor air Quality • HVac design
1-800-465-5700
™
www.martinohvac.com
DOUG TARRY JR., IS THE DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AT
DOUG TARRY HOMES IN ST. THOMAS , ONTARIO.
ROOF SPACE, ORIENTATION AND MOUNTING ANGLE OF SDHW
• It is not a requirement, but it is a
recommended best practice that the
trusses intended to carry the solar
panels be designed and built with an
additional 5 lb. dead load to account
for the additional weight.
• Installation of panels should not be
directly into the top chord of the truss.
Rather it is better practice to attach
scab lumber to the side of the top
chord and attach into the scab.
• The existing Domestic Hot Water
Heater needs to have plumbing valves
and “T”s installed and an electrical
outlet needs to be located beside the
unit. This is to permit quick connection
at the time of installation.

34
BUILDER NEWS
KAZ FLINN AND LAUREN MOSTOWYK
Helping Canadians Save Money
and the Environment
Scotiabank’s EcoLiving program helps Canadians discover how they can make greener choices for their homes,
reduce their energy bills and save money.
“Finding ways to reduce our environmental impact is top of mind for Canadians and for us at Scotiabank,” says Kaz
Flinn, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, Scotiabank. “We introduced the EcoLiving program to simplify
the process of sustainably renovating, upgrading or retrofitting a home by providing information and resources to help
Canadians get on their way.”
Launched in June 2010, the EcoLiving program has expanded to include partnerships and products alongside a
comprehensive website, a yearly magazine and the EcoLiving Awards. The 2013 Awards will honour students, entrepreneurs
and businesses on the leading edge of residential energy efficiency.
“The EcoLiving program provides us the opportunity to help Canadians and Scotiabank customers save money every
day through changes both large and small,” says Lauren Mostowyk, Senior Manager, Environmental Programs. “We
want to show Canadians that living sustainably is not only good for the environment but also for the wallet – and that a
home’s aesthetics don’t have to suffer. I think our magazine and website really showcase that mandate.”
In 2012 EcoLiving partnered with the Sustainable Housing Foundation to bring energy expertise to Canadians through
the online Home Energy Savings Calculator. The Calculator provides users with a customized list of upgrades using
CONTINUED ON PAGE 35

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And it’s green — made from
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For homebuilders looking
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36
BUILDER NEWS
unique information about the user’s home. It tells users the approximate cost of each upgrade, the yearly savings and
the payback period after which the project pays back the homeowner.
“Our research told us Canadians want to make green changes at home but didn’t know where to look for credible
information,” continues Kaz Flinn. “Through the Calculator, our website and our magazine, EcoLiving is a one-stop
shop for tips, tools and resources on how to go green at home.”
Adds Mostowyk, “We have a wonderful partner in Green Living Enterprises and they’re the experts behind the EcoLiving
content. The renovation articles and photos, the round-up of products – it’s all been tested and vetted by people who
know the green sector inside and out.”
Both career Corporate Social Responsibility practitioners, Flinn and Mostowyk have worked together to embed EcoLiving
into the fabric of Scotiabank’s Canadian Banking operations since 2010.
Flinn, a Scotiabank employee for 15 years and the creator of the Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility department,
believes business can drive change. “Scotiabank has the ability to greatly impact the communities it serves. I’m thrilled
the Bank believes – as I do – that we have a responsibility to our customers and to the planet on which we do business.
EcoLiving is a great example of how Scotiabank is providing customers with value-added services and advice.”
Says Mostowyk, “I’ve always been interested in working for companies with a commitment to the environment. Choosing a
career in Corporate Social Responsibility, a sector that is only going to grow, is a great way to get into the business of doing
good. Directing Scotiabank’s efforts around sustainability, energy conservation and environmental protection makes me feel
that I’m doing my part and helping the organization do theirs.”
To learn more about EcoLiving visit ecoliving.scotiabank.com and pick up a copy of EcoLiving Magazine at any Scotiabank
branch across Canada.
KAZ FLINN, VICE PRESIDENT, CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, SCOTIABANK. LAUREN MOSTOWYK, SENIOR MANAGER, ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS
“Scotiabank has the ability to greatly impact the communities it
serves. I’m thrilled the Bank believes – as I do – that we have a
responsibility to our customers and to the planet on which we
do business. EcoLiving is a great example of how Scotiabank is
providing customers with value-added services and advice.”
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 34

39ISSUE 05 | SPRING 2013
PAGE TITLE
Features
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A warm
transition
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For more information on the 2013 program and this limited
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*Rebate will be paid by cheque. Please allow 6 - 8 weeks for rebate processing. No rebate will be paid if
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Enbridge Gas is not responsible for shipping delays or loss of builder completion forms.
For a limited time, Enbridge Gas Distribution is offering
builders a rebate of $100 per unit, if you order and install
the unit and provide Enbridge with your finalized builder
completion form no later than May 31, 2013.*
34
PAGE TITLE
Features
A warm
transition
With a retail value of over $600, a Drain Water Heat Recovery
unit is easy to install and helps homeowners reclaim water
heat that is lost down the drain. Other benefits include:
Maintenance free system
Reduce water heating costs by up to 40%
Reuse heat energy which is good for the environment
For more information on the 2013 program and this limited
time offer, please contact your Channel Consultant today!
Call: 1-877-736-1503
Email: channelconsultant@enbridge.com
You now have the opportunity to provide
your homeowners with savings on their water
heating... it’s simple and maintenance free.
*Rebate will be paid by cheque. Please allow 6 - 8 weeks for rebate processing. No rebate will be paid if
builder completion form is not received by Enbridge Gas by May 31, 2013 regardless of order or installation date.
Enbridge Gas is not responsible for shipping delays or loss of builder completion forms.
For a limited time, Enbridge Gas Distribution is offering
builders a rebate of $100 per unit, if you order and install
the unit and provide Enbridge with your finalized builder
completion form no later than May 31, 2013.*

Better Builder Magazine, Spring 2013

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Better Builder Magazine, Spring 2013