Planning & Designing Sustainable Green Homes

Concept and design

Do Earthships work in cold climates?

Despite the good intentions, Earthships in cold climates can't work because they contradict the laws of physics. I'm not the Mike Reynolds who invented the Earthship, I'm the Mike Reynolds who thinks Earthships in Canada and other cold climates are a bad idea. A coincidence of names; just putting that out there so…

Commuting

Tax breaks in Canada for Electric vehicles

Badly needed infrastructure for charging electric vehicles coming from the provinces, along with financial incentives for purchase. There is no question that the best way to lower emissions as we scurry about a city is to travel by foot, bike or public transportation, yet it’s unlikely we will see the end of the…

LEED Homes

LEED Canada shows strong growth during summer of 2015 including first LEED v4 certified project

Canada continues to demonstrate its progress in fighting climate change with 204 registered and 211 certified LEED projects in Canada between May and September 2015. This brings the current total number of LEED certified projects in Canada to 2,466. Canada continues to demonstrate its progress in fighting climate…

Efficient home design

Are better insulated homes worth the money?

Better houses can be cheaper to live in from day one. Why build a less comfortable, and less efficient home if it actually costs more. Is it worth insulating a home past building code requirements? There are probably only two general desires we share when imagining a dream house - we all want the nicest one…

Tiny house

The off-grid Ecocapsule tiny house

The fully off-grid Ecocapsule has its own micro-power generation and rainwater treatment system. If your fantasy is to live totally off the grid anywhere around the world, that dream just got one step closer to reality. Nice Architects just unveiled the first photos of their incredible egg-shaped Ecocapsule home…

Healthy indoor air quality

A comprehensive guide to air cleaning and filtration in homes

Removing dust, smoke, allergens like pollen and mold spores, viruses and contaminants using an effective air purification unit fitted with a proven HEPA filter improves air quality in homes and will improve the health of those living in the house. Indoor air quality is often worse inside homes than outside Indoor…

Concept and design

Building science for LEED v4 wall design made easy - video

Understanding building science basics will help you design and build durable and efficient wall systems, in this instance LEED Platinum v4. LEED Platinum V4 Wall Design: Building Science The wall we designed for the Edelweiss house, Canada's first LEED Platinum V4 Home is best categorized as a 'REMOTE' wall, a high…

Efficient home design

Understanding thermal performance

Study shows there are more factors at play beyond simply the R value of materials in determining the thermal performance of buildings. First published in ecoHouse Canada What does the R value of insulation mean? The thermal performance of wall assemblies and insulation products has long been characterized using…

LEED Homes

Canada Ranks as the top country for LEED green building for second year in a row

Canada cements its status as a world leader in the international green building and environmental sustainability movement. Washington, D.C. and Ottawa, ON — (July 22, 2015) — Today, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that Canada ranks first on USGBC's second annual ranking of the Top 10 Countries for…

Lifestyle and environment

Green Business Certification Inc. and Canada Green Building Council Join Together to Advance the WELL Building Standard

New partnership agreement will bring WELL to market across Canada. Washington, D.C. & Ottawa, ON (June 9, 2015) – Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) and the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) announce a new agreement to promote and advance the WELL Building Standard (WELL) in Canada. The WELL Building…

Recycled and Reclaimed Materials

Recycled and reclaimed materials

Recycled building materials can add character to a home while you save money and reduce building waste in landfills. The cost of every item we purchase is determined in part by the price of oil. This includes products that are in no way petroleum based, since material extraction, manufacturing and transportation…