Heat pumps are everywhere; online, newspapers, television with grants to offset their cost. Heat pumps are used as a heating system in colder climates or in central air systems for cooling, but how is the performance of heat pumps measured and compared. SEER v HSPF v COP (& SCOP) - understanding heat pump ratings…

Congratulations to Perkins + WIll for securing their spot on Fast Company's list of the top ten most innovative architecture firms in the world. Having admired their work on numerous occasions we are not at all surprised that Perkins + Will made the Fast Company list of the world's top ten most innovative companies…

A wood floor will need to be sealed and protected but many products have a detrimental effect on air quality as they still contain VOC's which are best avoided if possible. Is polyurethane floor seal non-toxic? In North America, polyurethane varnish is used almost exclusively as a wood floor finish , but the…

Approximately 100 times more water vapour is carried into our walls by air leakage than is carried by vapour diffusion. That makes air barriers 100 times more important than vapour barriers, so why is no one talking about them. How important is an air barrier in a home? Approximately 100 times more water vapor is…

Belgium's offshore wind power reservoir uses excess power to pump water, storing it as latent hydroelectric power. One of the biggest drawbacks to renewable energies like wind and solar, is that it is unpredictable. This presents a challenge to grid operators, as they struggle to meet demand while compensating for…

Integrating Douglas Fir timber frames and structural insulated panels, FabCab offers universal accessibility in its eco-friendly homes, cabins and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). FabCab’s approach to sustainability is simple - design healthy, efficient environments to accommodate varied lifestyles. Dedicated to…

Introducing BioCity's indoor vertical veggie garden. This beautiful installation made with reclaimed wine bottles allows you to grow arugula, chard, strawberries, cherry tomatoes and more all year round in your very own home. Introducing BioCity's indoor vertical veggie garden. This beautiful installation made with…

An introduction to the math behind the placement of solar panels to optimize your yield, and speed up your return on investment. There is a lot you can do in home construction to take advantage of the free energy provided by the sun. That can be passive solar , which is about home orientation and window design to…

The Fun Box is a masterpiece of energy and space saving solutions that translates into it's own brand of decadence. Check out the photos, and don't miss the YouTube video. There seems to be a design trend of trying to out-cool the previously coolest tiny house, and as long as that keeps happening we will keep having…

The inside of city water mains has up to this point not been a newsworthy place. With in-pipe power generating turbines, that is now poised to change. Hydroelectric power generation is definitely renewable but not always 'green' when you consider all the side effects, especially when it comes to large hydroelectric…

As part of their Greenest City 2020 initiative, the City of Vancouver is getting people out of their cars and onto bikes and trains, as well as setting new standards for energy efficient construction. Is Vancouver a green city with easy public transportation? The city of Vancouver continues to go to great lengths to…

Taking advantage of lanes in the middle of city blocks to increase housing density is but one step Vancouver has taken towards ensuring sustainable urban living. Ths is the first of two stories about the city's green initiatives. Vancouver has been fighting the good fight in a battle against urban sprawl that…

The Fincube tiny house is off-grid, portable and enjoys a 360 degree view of the world. The Fincube is a pre-fab multi-purpose dwelling, it's built to operate off-grid, it's portable, and it's beautiful. It's also made in Italy so would hardly be a "green" choice for a North American dweller, but one can't help but…

Learn what incentives and rebates are available to help you get a better performing and healthier home for less money. Important to note: some programs may be discontinued, some new ones may be out there. Please help us keep this page updated if any of these don't work out or you know of others out there and drop a…

Description Green Roof Design 101: Introductory Course Thursday, February 21st, 2013 This introductory training course on green roof infrastructure design presents many of the tools and techniques needed to meet your green roof project objectives on schedule, to specification, and within budget. Green Roof…

Description : The Living Building Challenge is sweeping across North America. There are now more than sixty projects in process from coast to coast, pursuing certification under the most vigorous performance standard in the building industry. In response to frequent requests for introductory presentations, we have…

ORC Building Tour + Networking Social. Tour details and registration coming soon, please visit CaGBC Ottawa for more information.

The 2013 Sustainable Communities Conference (SCC) and Trade Show hosted by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. This year's conference theme, "Building Blocks for the Next Generation", focuses on best practices in sustainable development from a wide range of Canadian communities and regions, and highlights…

Protect your air quality with chemical-free home furnishings. Protect your home air quality during renos Any renovation or building project is exciting, but it can also be exhausting and emotionally taxing. Don't forget to keep your air safe to breathe in the process. Right at the end when it's time to furnish your…