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Federal climate change policy and the National Building Code (NBC) are targeting Net Zero Energy Ready new homes and buildings by 2030.  Local Ontario Green Building Standards are referencing the NBC 2020 step code Tier 4 and 5 or CHBA Net Zero. How does this relate to current OBC prescriptions for energy performance, Energy Star or higher? The long-awaited Super Semi Demonstration Project report sheds light on this topic and raises important questions. How do we measure zero energy carbon based on a standards approach. Do Net Zero energy houses actually perform as modelled and intended to? Where is the point of diminishing marginal returns for envelope improvements? Do solar arrays on homes make sense without battery storage? How do the existing OBC prescriptions like Package A1 stand up against the Paris Accord and COP28? Lastly, how will this effect Environmental Social Governance (ESG) for builders if they are building houses to the bare minimum? Join John, Paul and Christian for a thought-provoking session on April 10^th 2024 via zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86178431716

June 19, 2024 12 Noon to 5 PM

Flemingdon Golf Course, Toronto

The annual Green Builder Challenge Golf Tournament, hosted  by the Sustainable Housing Foundation’s President John Godden, is happening on Wednesday June 19th in the afternoon and you are invited to attend. Lunch and beverages will be provided before the first T-off time at 1 PM so come early and enjoy a relaxing lunch on the patio and great networking opportunity with your colleagues from the sustainable building industry in Toronto.

The price to play is $150 with all proceeds going toward supporting the educational training that the Foundation undertakes every year.  You can book for just yourself and we will place you in a foursome, or book your own foursome and reward your staff or clients to  a great afternoon of golf and comradery. Space is limited to 40 golfers so please book early. Please note that the game played will be best ball with T-offs scheduled every 10 minutes or so starting at 1 PM. The course is a nine hole course so only takes a couple of hours to play.  No mechanical carts are allowed but you will be provided with a pull handle. Golf clubs can be rented directly from the golf course if pre-arranged with them. Registration details to come. Hope to see you there!

The impact of climate change has reached a point where it can no longer be ignored. Federal and Provincial governments have implemented rebates and taxes, to incentivize industry and citizens to do their part to address climate change. Most companies in North America have implemented strategies and targets to mitigate their impact on the environment. Companies express these efforts in Environmental Social Governance (ESG) policies and reporting. Nowhere is this movement more profound than the construction industry.

Topics include:

• Manufacturer’s products with lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) and EPD. Builders must meet the evolving regulatory requirements of the municipalities in which they build; The Low Carbon Home Builder Coalition (LCHC) constructs homes that reduce operational energy and water consumption with products that have a low GWP.
• Carbon rating systems like HERS and CAGBC Zero Carbon
• How the LCHC can empower builders to measure and report CO2 reduction for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

The virtual webinar will be hosted via Zoom on November 22nd, 2023 from 10:30am to 12:00pm. Please join us and register at Eventbrite via https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gwp-accountability-sustainable-engineering-practices-by-paul-lowes-tickets-756398828257

This year, like many others, was my first time attending the Low Carbon Home Builders Coalition. It was a great opportunity to network with other professionals such as Builders, Manufacturers, Contractors, City Officials, and many other industry stakeholders who share the vision of creating sustainable and affordable housing for our province. There were many great speakers at this event talking about Codes, Carbon, and the future of our housing. Furthermore, highlighting an important topic that was discussed is Combination Hybrid Heat Mechanical Systems, which is a cutting-edge, cost efficient technology that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs. This heating and cooling strategy will keep the utility bills as low as possible for the occupants of the home and will be able to comfortably condition the home during any season of the year. In my opinion this Hybrid Heating solution is one of the key solutions to deal with carbon emissions while also maintaining affordable living. It taps into Ontario’s biggest energy source – off peak electricity surplus.

As we move towards reducing our carbon footprint it is very important that all parties involved in the building industry understand the target. Net Zero being the buzz word of today, understanding what Net Zero means and how it can be achieved is important for individuals, businesses, governments, and all parties involved. Currently, the net zero homes that we are building and labeling fall short of the targets we are trying to achieve. In that there actual performance is “not” zero. We need to continue the conversation so that the industry and innovators can support each other in their common goals.

Being a Residential HVAC Designer working with McCallum HVAC Design Inc, we consult with clients daily about making decisions regarding mechanical equipment and building envelope. The future of energy efficiency starts with the selection of insulation, the type of heat source and the control strategy.

I am hoping that being on the board of the Sustainable Housing Foundation will give me opportunities to meet new like-minded individuals, preview into what code changes are coming in the future and how I can better prepare myself and my company, McCallum HVAC with the continuously changing landscape of energy efficiency and low carbon technologies. Not only to know about the change, but also to give myself a voice in the discussion.

Michael McCallum – Newest board member

McCallum HVAC Design Inc.

LCHC September 26th 2023 in Thornhill

Here are some ideas that Paul Lowes would like you to examine when it comes to the future of residential home building.

The impact of climate change has reached a point where it can no longer be ignored. Federal and Provincial governments have implemented rebates and taxes, to incentivize industry and citizens to do their part to address climate change. Most companies in North America have implemented strategies and targets to mitigate their impact on the environment. Companies express these efforts in Environmental Social Governance (ESG) policies and reporting. Nowhere is this movement more profound than the construction industry.

Builders, manufacturers, and governing bodies all recognize the significance of their part in helping to reduce the carbon footprint of the residential and commercial construction industries.  These organizations work towards implementing building codes that are designed to build homes with lower energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Manufacturers are tasked with producing products with lower Global Warming Potential (GWP). Builders must meet the evolving regulatory requirements of the municipalities in which they build; The Low Carbon Home Builder Coalition (LCHC) constructs homes that reduce operational energy and water consumption with products that have a low GWP.

If you are interested in learning more about your company’s carbon footprint, Environmental Social Governance (ESG) and the Low Carbon Home Builder Coalition, please think about joining us for a Sustainable Housing Foundation Fall dinner meeting, Tuesday September 26th 2023 at Thornhill Golf and Country Club. Please register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sustainable-housing-foundation-dinner-tickets-673167912347?aff=oddtdtcreator and be sure to include your meal choice. Attendance is limited, please sign up no later than September 12^th 2023.

Building a Sustainable Housing Industry

Affordability, or the lack thereof, has been front of mind for a long time.  Our industry has been screaming it from the rooftops for many years.  We’ve seen the tsunami coming, and the current Ontario government has finally decided to make some welcomed changes with Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022.  Increasing supply will help with affordability.

One factor limiting the supply of new homes is a shortage of skilled labour in the GTA. The Honourable Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development, announced April 24, 2023.  This funding will provide in-demand residential construction training to a new cohort of unemployed and underemployed job seekers to shrink the skilled trades gap in the province. The Job Ready Program provides builders with prescreened prospects and the necessary on the job training with support for a paid placement for a three-month test drive. For future employees, it starts with a one-hour info session and candidate interviews as a resource for builders.  The program design is to mitigate risk for both parties.

If you are interested in learning more about the Job Ready Program, please think about joining us for a Sustainable Housing Foundation Fall dinner meeting, Tuesday September 26th 2023 at Thornhill Golf and Country Club. Please register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sustainable-housing-foundation-dinner-tickets-673167912347?aff=oddtdtcreator and be sure to include your meal choice. Attendance is limited, please sign up no later than September 13^th 2023.

Introducing the Low Carbon Home Builder’s Coalition

Here’s a question worth asking. In Ontario, we have a surplus of off-peak electricity and challenges with fresh water supply and waste treatment capacity. What could be the best way to manage our energy and water needs and reduce CO₂ emissions? For the answer, let’s look to the Low Carbon Home Builder Coalition (LCHC).

The idea behind the LCHC is to annually benchmark as many homes as possible to see how progress in new home construction is stacking up against federal commitments — a type of report card for residential builders. In 2023, the coalition effectively got 527 cars off the road and saved their home buyers 1.6 million dollars in energy costs annually. With respect to local green building standards, the coalition is working to preserve a builders choice on how they meet local requirements. For example with Pickering’s Green Building Standards, HERS energy ratings and HERS H2O labels are mentioned directly. Please think about joining the coalition for a Fall dinner meeting, Tuesday September 26^th 2023 from 5:30pm – 8:30pm at Thornhill Golf and Country Club to find out more. It’s on us!

Topics will include:

• The HERS carbon rating system
• The Hybrid House Approach
• Navigating Code Harmonization
• Green Building Standards

SHF LCHC dinner 2023 presentation summary

What makes good leadership? We know that poor leadership usually consists of simplistic thinking or fundamentalism. In contrast, balancing pros and cons — and preserving balance and choice — is key to effective leadership.

In training sessions, I usually ask the participants “yes” or “no” questions — but I rarely get commitment to either response. Maybe people are afraid of suffering the disapproval of the group. There’s nothing wrong with not knowing the answer, but asking yourself the question is what’s most important. Good leadership is about constantly asking good questions.

Here’s a question worth asking. In Ontario, we have a surplus of off-peak electricity and challenges with fresh water supply and waste treatment capacity. What could be the best way to manage our energy and water needs and reduce CO₂ emissions? For the answer, let’s look to the Low Carbon Home Builder Coalition (LCHC).

The idea behind the LCHC is to annually benchmark as many homes as possible to see how progress in new home construction is stacking up against federal commitments — a type of report card for residential builders. In 2023, the coalition effectively got 527 cars off the road and saved their home buyers 1.6 million dollars in energy costs annually. With respect to local green building standards, the coalition is working to preserve a builders choice on how they meet local requirements. For example with Pickering’s Green Building Standards, HERS energy ratings and HERS H2O labels are mentioned directly. Please think about joining the coalition for a Fall dinner meeting, Tuesday September 19^th 2023 at Thornhill Golf and Country Club to find out more.