FEBRUARY 2012
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T H E U LT I M A T E G U I D E T O D O M E S T I C B L I S S O N T H E N O R T H S H O R E
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
ENERGY EFFICIENCY INSIDE AND OUT
PHOTO DON ERHARDT
Construction that’s actually
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A new kind of green Jeremy Shepherd learns about building that’s good for the environment THE recently completed Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability at UBC represents a new environmental philosophy — it may be the rare building that is good for the environment. “The net effect is, UBC uses less energy and burns less carbon because we added a building,” says John Robinson, executive director of the UBC sustainability initiative. While many green buildings are making strides to reduce the harm they wreak on the environment, the $37-million CIRS attempts to benefit the environment primarily through a process Robinson calls “heat scavenging.” CIRS is located next to a lab that ventilates its hot air as frequently as 10 times an hour through fume hoods on the roof. This lecture theatre is part of the builtto-be-green Centre for Interactive Research.
“We’re taking all that heat into our building, we only need about a third of it, so we’re giving them back two-thirds of the heat we take from them,” Robinson explains.
PHOTO DON ERHARDT
While the process requires a substantial amount of electricity, it also cuts the need for burning natural gas. “That reduction in natural gas and the associated carbon dioxide that goes up the stack when you burn gas, that reduction is greater than the extra energy we need to do all that,” Robinson says.
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The technology should save the school nearly 300 megawatt hours each year, according to Robinson. “Sustainability is a neighbourhood phenomenon, don’t try to do it all within the shell of your building,” Robinson says, discussing the lessons he’s learned in the long process of seeing the building come to fruition. The project began in 1999 when UBC’s president asked each centre on campus to come up with a five-year plan. “We thought we needed to walk the talk a bit and contribute to the actual creation of the kind of thing we’d been arguing for,” Robinson says. Although there was a commitment to the idea, Robinson says the project didn’t really take shape until he met with a like-minded architect. “We didn’t see a way forward until I met in 2001 with Peter Busby,” Robinson says. “We had a meeting and we just hit it off. We were sort of completing each other’s sentences.” Busby, whose whole working life is sustainable buildings, according to Robinson, helped move the project to the next stage. “That really pushed our ideas forward quite a bit and. . . eventually resulted in us getting funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation in 2004.” While Robinson was still uncertain a building could have a positive impact on the environment, he was eager to try. “Can buildings actually be net-positive?” Robinson asks.
Sunday, February 26, 2012 - athome - A21
“We think it’s very appropriate that universities be trying and answer that question.”
“The technology should save the school nearly 300 megawatt hours each year.”
The CIRS building is primarily constructed out of beetle-killed wood, a building practice Robinson says is crucial in B.C. “Surely if there’s any place in the world that should be building with wood, it should be B.C.”
Exterior of CIRS, living wall frame with young vines.
PHOTO MARTIN DEE
Using ground source heat pumps and treating sewage at the site is unusual, which has sometimes made it difficult to deal with health and building inspectors, according to Robinson. “All these rules were defined without really considering sustainability. And changing the rules of the game is the biggest barrier.”
Although the building may require some retrofitting to deal with the building’s acoustics, Robinson says the problems in the building are a product of striving to create something better and the necessity of learning from failure. “The purpose of the building was to push the envelope, to be right out at the frontier of performance and then know that we’re going to fail.” JEREMY SHEPHERD
Besides adding to the risk of forest fires, beetle-killed wood releases a massive amount of greenhouse gas. “That’s a massive catastrophe happening all around us in B.C.” Robinson says. “We thought it was really important to sequester that wood. . . . When you do build with wood, you lock in that carbon.” The wood used in the construction of the building is designed to trap approximately 500 tons of carbon dioxide that would otherwise be emitted through decay. While Robinson is excited about the technical achievement the building represents, he’s equally excited about its story. “The narrative out there of limits and constraints and even sacrifice, isn’t a very empowering narrative. People don’t get excited by it. They don’t run out and change their behaviour when they’re told that we’re destroying the planet.” Robinson says. “We were interested in finding ways to have a story about sustainability that people did find compelling and exciting.” The concept of regenerative sustainability is fairly new, and Robinson is trying his best to jump the hurdles that form in front of new ideas. “If you sort of peel away the layers of the onion a little bit, what you find in almost every single case is institutional barriers.”
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A22 - athome - Sunday, February 26, 2012 A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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For both areas, creating space to accommodate new personal care and culinary technology is also a must. At Bathrooms Plus in North Vancouver, they understand how to help you integrate these concepts into your home. Since they opened their business in 1993, Bathrooms Plus – at 103-828 Harbourside Drive (south of the North Shore Automall) – has become a valuable supply and design resource for home owners, contractors, and everyone who is looking to get the most out of their kitchens and bathrooms. “We at Bathrooms Plus believe in wellness as well as protecting the environment. Our goal has always been to be a good neighbour in our community and help preserve the environment for our future generations.
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Sunday, February 26, 2012 - athome - A23 A D V E R T I S E M E N T
RENOVATEMySpace Take a Closer Look at Your Windows There are some simple things you can do to test whether or not your windows are up to the demands our damp climate puts on them. One way to find out if your windows are properly sealed is to hold a lit candle on the inside of your window and follow the perimeter of the frame where it meets the walls. If the flame flickers it could be an indication that your windows are not well sealed. If you have wood windows, make sure you check the frames regularly for cracking and rot. The North Shore ’s wet weather is especially hard on older wood framed windows. When it comes to replacing your windows, there are a number of options and some key things to consider. Window frame options include wood, vinyl, fibreglass, and aluminum. Each has their strengths and weaknesses.
window professional. On the North Shore , Northshore Windows deals with all types of windows and doors and have carefully selected products that they can offer with confidence, to add lasting beauty and efficiency to your home. Partners, Darrell Akune and Jon Haagensen always take the time to educate their clients and make sure you get the most out of upgrading your windows.
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If there are gaps or cracks in your window installations, you can be losing serious amounts of heat in winter and allowing in hot weather in summer.
Wood framed windows are energy efficient and add beauty and character to your house. They work well with elaborate trim and maintain the heritage look of older homes. The downside is they tend to be the most expensive and require regular annual maintenance to function properly and last. Aluminum clad wood windows are highly recommended for our wet environment. Vinyl window frames are the most inexpensive option, are energy efficient, resist the weather and are very low maintenance. However, they are limited in color options and cannot be painted.
“Consumers should focus their attention on how their windows and doors are being installed,” says Darrell. “Typical window replacement companies use a quick and easy installation method that makes it difficult to ensure the product is properly sealed. We like to take the time to explain different installation methods to our customers because once educated, people realize the importance of proper installation.”
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Fiberglass window frames are structurally strong, the most energy efficient and will not swell, warp or rot. They are more expensive than vinyl but have a variety of color options and you can paint them any colour you want. Aluminum window frames are lightweight, durable and strong. Aluminum is not as popular as in the past, but today’s version is much more energy efficient due to thermal break construction. They don’t absorb water, rot or rust but if they are not built well they can be susceptible to condensation and transfer of cold in the winter.
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Yes, little things do add up to big things when it comes to energy conservation.
Here are some little energy-saving tips. ■ Electronic devices continue to consume “phantom” or standby power even when not being used, adding five to 10 per cent to your energy bill. Culprits include televisions and home theatre systems, computers (including monitors and printers), cellphone and other chargers and game consoles. Solution: Plug the devices into power bars that cut the electricity supply when it’s not needed.
■ Set-top boxes that bring cable and other services to your television are among the worst phantom power hogs. Depending on the number and configuration, they can consume more power than a central air conditioning system, according to a detailed New York Times article. They often can’t be unplugged because they take forever to reboot. Look for Energy Star models with the lowest phantom power consumption and minimize the number you own. ■ When using a dishwasher, Ontario Power Authority suggests air drying your dishes, using the air-dry setting (or energy saver) option, or just leaving the door open. Visit saveonenergy.ca for more tips.
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■ Think twice before you buy a digital picture frame or at least either unplug it when no one’s home or put it on a power bar with a timer. The Electric Power Research Institute, a non-profit research group, estimates that if every household in America ran one digital picture frame around the clock, five additional power plants would be needed to operate them.
Est. 1960
■ Air conditioners are among a home’s biggest energy hogs and units from the 1970s can use up to 50 per cent more power than today’s models, according to the United States Department of Energy. Even 10-year-old systems can be 20 to 40 per cent less efficient than new models. Look for Energy Star-certified units. As well, shade the condenser from the sun and keep it free from leaves and other debris to achieve maximum efficiency. Air conditioners are eligible for a rebate under the federal ecoEnergy program (oee.nrcan.gc.ca). ■ Cut heating costs up to five per cent by changing furnace filters every one to three months. ■ You know that old beer fridge may be wasting up to $125 a year in electricity. But did you realize that dirty coils on the back or bottom of your fridge or freezer make it work harder? Vacuum them every couple of months, more often if you have a pet that sheds hair. Check the seal on your refrigerator or freezer. Close the door on a piece of paper. If you can pull the paper out easily, replace the gasket.
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■ Incandescent light bulbs are being phased out in Canada and elsewhere. To maximize the life of CFL bulbs, leave them on at least 15 minutes, but then turn them off when you leave the room. Contrary to what you may have heard, re-energizing bulbs uses minimal electricity.
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■ Winter vacation? Consider un-plugging your refrigerator and using timers on your indoor lights. PATRICK LANGSTON POSTMEDIA NEWS
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Plug the devices into power bars that cut the electricity supply when it’s not needed.
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PHOTO CANSTOCK
Sunday, February 26, 2012 - athome - A25
Leading the way “I spent my life growing up watching my dad run the business,” says Josef Geluch, who bought the business from his father and set up shop in North Vancouver three years ago. “(We’re) trying to make ourselves different from a lot of the other companies out there and focus on energy efficiency and recycling lumber,” Geluch explains. Naikoon uses insulated concrete forms to establish the skeleton of the house. The forms are filled with concrete and reinforced with steel, an approach designed to prevent heat loss and increase sound absorption. “The main focus is concentrating on the building envelope,” Geluch says. “If you can keep that heat in the house you don’t require the energy consumption to continually heat the home.” However, there can be a downside to all that insulation.
“We’ve built it so tight that the air would get stale,” Geluch says. The company counteracts that effect with heat recovery ventilators, known as HRV fans. The fans usually run all day and keep the air fresh without sacrificing any heat, according to Geluch. Besides insulation, Naikoonbuilt homes are sometimes equipped with underground storage tanks that take in rainwater. The water can then be used for an irrigation system or washing a car, all without drawing from the city’s reservoir, according to Geluch.
We can build a house in a green way or an energyefficient way without really increasing the costs.”
The company’s practices have won it acclaim in the building world, with award nominations from BuiltGreen B.C. and the Georgie Awards, which Geluch describes as the Oscars of home building. “Just trying to think outside the box and build a little different or a little bit better,” Geluch says of his work. The company has also received recognition for its extensive use of reclaimed lumber. When a large building like a school or a warehouse has a date with a wrecking
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ball, Geluch says they often collect the beams, refinish them, and use them for staircases or refinished floors.
“What we see of most of the other developers is they just slap something together and they don’t use any focus because it does cost a little more to build it better, build it right. But we’re willing to absorb that cost just to be putting a better product out on the market,” he says. Geluch allows that cheaper homes still tend to sell faster than houses built to exacting environmental standards, but he’s had no shortage of work recently.
last few years and it seems to be on the upswing,” Geluch says. “Since I opened the company in North Van we’ve sort of doubled our business each year.” Now with 17 employees, Naikoon is able to keep prices affordable, according to Geluch. “We can build a house in a green way or an energy-efficient way without really increasing the costs,” he says. Naikoon will continue specializing in green homes, something that should make the founder of the company quite happy, according to Geluch. “Dad’s pretty happy and proud that it kept going,” he says. JEREMY SHEPHERD
“It’s been really catching on here over the
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PHOTO NAIKOON CONTRACTING
For the last three years, Naikoon Contracting has been one of the North Shore’s leaders in building well insulated, energy efficient homes.
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