Over the summer, the MaRS Centre hosted an exhibit Ecology. Design. Synergy., which explored modern projects on sustainable architecture and ecological design. The buildings on display were the works of German innovators of Behnisch Architekten and Transsolar ClimateEngineering. Sam Chapman, a representative from GLOBE, narrates this video blog, which highlights the various building designs on display, the importance of sustainable design and architecture, and how the exhibit relates to social housing.

SHSC Video Blog: MaRS Exhibit on Sustainable Design

Though the exhibit at the MaRS Centre has ended, the Lecture Series associated with it will be continuing until November. Click here for details on the Lecture Series and on the exhibit.

It was almost seven years ago, on August 14, 2003, when a series of power surges caused a cascade of shutdowns at more than 100 generating plants throughout the northeastern U.S. and Ontario. The result was the biggest blackout in North American history with 61,800 megawatts of power lost to over 50 million people. A lot of reliability measures have been implemented and business contingency plans instituted since then but, the demands on our aging grid continues to grow.

Just this past July 5, 2010, at 4:45 p.m. on an extreme heat alert day in Toronto, a rush hour blackout caused traffic chaos. Before the power was restored, the blackout, triggered by a fire at a transformer station, left 250,000 Toronto Hydro customers in the dark.

There is no confirmation yet about the cause and some news outlets (both the CBC and BBC) are indicating that power usage was not the source of the blackout. However, while we await confirmation of the cause, one thing is for sure, we have become air conditioner addicts.

According to Stan Cox, author of Losing Our Cool: Uncomfortable Truths About Our Air-Conditioned World, we air condition everything from golf carts to storage rooms and recently, Dubai was looking at air conditioning a popular beach.

Obsession with Air Conditioning

Our obsession with air conditioning is a relatively recent phenomenon. The amount of energy consumed by running residential air conditioners in Canada almost tripled between 1990 and 2007. And to make matters worse, we are entering a cycle of increasing temperatures resulting in ever higher demands on air conditioners which in turn will contribute to our warming climate.

There are however, some important tips for using air conditioners that will result in more efficient energy use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• Set your thermostat at 25°C or higher. Each half-degree setting below 26°C increases your energy consumption by approximately 8%.
• Consider cost-effective conservation measures, such as shading windows from direct sunlight.
• When possible, delay heat-generating activities, such as dish washing or cooking until the evening on hot days.
• Be sure your air conditioner is not blocked.
• Over most of the cooling season (which does not have to start as soon as the snow melts), keep the house closed tight during the day. Don’t let in unwanted heat and humidity.
• Ventilate your rooms at night naturally as weather permits by opening windows to create cross ventilation
• Consider supplementing the air conditioner with fans which will allow you to set the thermostat a few degrees higher.
• If purchasing a new air conditioner consider an ENERGY STAR® model, which use at least 10% less energy.

Looking for more energy saving tips? GLOBE, a leader in bringing energy efficiency to the housing sector, will be launching its Sustainability Toolbox in the coming weeks. For more information on GLOBE, visit www.globeservices.ca

Last month I attended the 2010 ENERGY STAR® Participants Gala in Ottawa, hosted by Natural Resources Canada.

I was there with SHSC CEO Lindsey Reed and Board Chair Roger Maloney to accept the ENERGY STAR® Collaborative Initiative of the Year Award. This award honours those who, through partnerships, help businesses and consumers save money and contribute to Canada’s climate change objectives.

SHSC captured the award for its light bulb replacement and appliance bulk buy programs. Over these past three years, SHSC in collaboration with its subsidiary GLOBE, Toronto Hydro, housing providers and residents installed over 136,000 ENERGY STAR® compact fluorescent bulbs in 30,000 housing units and reduced more than 6.5 MegaWatts in electricity demand from the grid.

In 2009, SHSC launched its Appliance Bulk Buy program, offering ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances, as well as the environmental decommissioning of old appliances. This collaboration of not-for-profit housing corporations, municipalities, appliance manufacturers and government agencies has resulted in the sale of 3,000 ENERGY STAR^® qualified refrigerators.

According to the ENERGY STAR® Saving Calculator, the direct environmental benefit of these two programs is equivalent to taking over 320 cars off the road or planting 160,000 trees. Roger accepted the award on behalf of SHSC. He shared the stage with other award recipients from different categories, including:

• Whirlpool Canada
• Sears Canada
• Hydro-Québec
• Veridian Connections
• Manitoba Hydro
• Toshiba Canada
• Climate Change Central
• All Weather Windows
• JELD-WEN Canada

But SHSC isn’t resting on this recent accolade. In 2010, both programs are being expanded – with the launch of a new Toronto Hydro ‘Deep Measures Retrofit’ program and a province-wide ENERGY STAR®-certified Windows Bulk Buy program (more about the latter below).

Introducing New Windows and Sliding Glass Door Program
Following the success of these initiatives, SHSC will be launching a new ENERGY STAR® Windows and Sliding Glass Door program soon. Similar to previous bulk buy offering, SHSC acts as the administrator to ensure integrity to the process – we have established product standards, managed a public request for proposals and negotiated competitive prices with a volume rebate based on the participation of housing providers. Look out for the official launch of this brand new ENERGY STAR® initiative.

It is “unlikely that an accidental surface or subsurface oil spill would occur” and if it did “….no significant adverse impacts are expected.” That statement was given in February 2009 before BP received approval to begin drilling the Deepwater Horizon well. Now the whole world watches as the disastrous effects of this oil spill unfold in the Gulf of Mexico.

It appears to me not such an unpredictable outcome and yet we continue to react with disbelief every time the unthinkable happens. Technological innovation has been the hallmark of our modern world bringing with it all kinds of life improving advancements. We remain ever confident in next year’s innovation to solve the problems of last year’s inventions. However, as events continue to unfold in the Gulf of Mexico, the cost of disregarding the impact of our behaviours on the planet and placing blind faith in ingenuity to solve all problems is becoming increasingly clear.

To date over 380 million litres of oil have spilled into the Gulf, threatening marine mammals, fish and birds, and coastal wetlands. Over one billion dollars has been spent so far in trying to stop the leak and the costs to commercial and recreational fishing industries have not yet been included in the tally.

Our failure to apply a precautionary approach when making decisions about offshore drilling reveals our dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels and the extent to which we will sacrifice common sense in its pursuit.

Instead of the risky business of looking for oil in ever more dangerous situations how about we just use less energy? Perhaps not as sexy as a massive oil rig, but surprisingly effective when we all do just a little more to use a little less. Take public transportation or maybe use your bike or why not just walk to the corner store? You don’t even have to commit to do this all the time just substitute these methods once a week for a time when you used to drive. Close off the lights when you leave the room. Use a space bar for electronic equipment and turn it off when not in use. Or consider participating in incentive programs like the Renewable Energy Initiative which make it easy to start reducing our reliance on non-renewable resources.

For more ideas about how you can make energy conservation part of your operations, check out GLOBE’s Sustainability Toolbox launching soon on our website. Conservation can be remarkably effective and best of all there will never be any negative consequences. Ever.

If you have ever had to deal with overflowing garbage bins, trash blowing around buildings and related residents complaints, you know that this is not only unsightly – it can also be costly and time consuming. Reducing and recycling are not just trends or nice ideas, they are ways to lower operating costs and improve living and working conditions.

Sioux Lookout recently demonstrated how community-led efforts can help solve big problems. This north-western Ontario town of 5,500 recently became the first community in Ontario to move towards the outright banning of plastic bags, a ban that started with a citizens’ environment committee and a survey by high school students.

Why are plastic bags a problem?
The chemicals used to manufacture disposable plastic bags are toxic to both people and the environment. The phthalates used to stabilize and soften plastic are known endocrine disruptors. Vinyl chloride is a proven carcinogen and can also cause liver, kidney, and brain damage.

Although these bags are designed to be disposable, they are highly resource-intensive to manufacture, process, transport and dispose of – especially given that they’re intended for single use. But even if you re-use a disposable bag, most will still end up in landfill, where they can take up to 1,000 years to break down. Like plastic garbage patches in both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, the bags may be out of sight, but their negative impacts to the environment, the economy and human and animal health persist long after they’ve been used.

Other Jurisdictions
To date, Sioux Lookout is among only a handful of global leaders in their move to ban the bag.

In March 2002, Bangladesh banned plastic bags in its capital after they were found to have been the main culprit during the 1988 and 1998 floods that submerged two-thirds of the country. Discarded bags were choking the drainage system. Notably, the ban has produced an unexpected positive economic effect: the revival of the jute bag industry. Jute grows abundantly in Bangladesh and requires a lot less energy to process than polyethelene.

Also in 2002, Ireland introduced a PlasTax of about $0.20 per bag. The money raised from the tax is put into a “green fund” to further benefit communities and the environment. The result has been that consumption has decreased by more than 90%, thanks to an intensive environmental awareness campaign, which made the carrying of plastic bags socially unacceptable.

The Power of Community
In the cases of Ireland and Sioux Lookout particularly, engaging the community proved to be critical to the success of the ban and its environmental and economic outcomes.

What does this mean to people in the housing sector? Well, there are many simple and inexpensive actions which you can take to lower costs and complaints in your buildings and improve health, comfort and maintenance. GLOBE’s Community Champions program, recently recognized in the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario’s recent annual report as a notable initiative, educates and enables the residents themselves to become agents of change in their own communities.

In addition, GLOBE’s soon to be released Sustainability Toolbox is a “starter kit” to identifying opportunities which will provide you with sector-specific examples of improvements that you can make to increase the efficiency of your operations.

To find out more about it, email us!

It’s Spring! Days are getting longer, birds are chirping. We are drawn to the outdoors, to the fresh air and sunshine that we missed during those long winter months.

Spring is traditionally associated with hope, growth, renewal. So what better time to show our commitment to sustainability? We all rely on stable and affordable energy, clean air and water, safe products and healthy food. But there are costs to the ways that we produce, use and dispose of these resources. The price is high, not only financially, but socially and ecologically as well.

So, what can we do?
The Social Housing sector can demonstrate leadership, not only by introducing technical improvements to buildings, but also by adopting sustainable practices and habits.

One such easy choice? Join GLOBE and SHSC as we participate in Earth Hour.

On March 27th, at 8:30 pm, turn off all of your building’s non-essential lighting and electronics. It’s not about sitting in the dark! Its’ about re-thinking how we use (and waste) energy.

Last year, 52% of adult Canadians participated in Earth Hour. Let’s show off our sector’s commitment: engage your staff and residents to participate in Earth Hour too. Then challenge them to join you in doing even more throughout the year!

1. Be energy and water efficient. When you use water and energy, use it well. Fix leaks. Insulate. Use efficient appliances, lighting and equipment. Look for the ENERGY STAR® symbol: you’ll know your using models that are best-in-class. Contact SHSC Customer Care to learn more about how you can access incentive funding for energy saving projects.
2. Recycle, reduce and reuse as much as possible. Reduce the amount that you send to landfill. Recycling saves a lot of energy needed to extract, process, transport and make new materials and products. Recycle 100% of your glass, aluminum, plastic, and paper and compost organic waste if possible.
3. Unplug: Electrical devices draw energy, even when they are switched off. If you want to make sure you are not unknowingly feeding these “energy vampires”, unplug them when not in use, or use a power bar to easily turned them on and off with the flick of a switch.
4. Get an Energy Audit – and act on it! Chances are, your building wastes a lot of energy, and money. An audit will show you how your building uses (and wastes) energy and will identify potential improvements. Making those improvements could result in thousands of dollars in energy savings each year – not too mention a large reduction in your carbon footprint. Plus, many of the energy-saving upgrades qualify for incentives.

To learn more about how you can access incentive funding for energy savings projects, or how to get and prepare for an energy audit contact SHSC Customer Care at 1.877.733.7472 or email customercare@shcorp.ca

Be sure to also check out the GLOBE Sustainable Landscaping for Healthy Communities where you can find practical information about green roofs, fertilizers, pest control, soil health, irrigation, and design.

Sustainability initiatives have long been associated with the colour green. Green products, green services and green initiatives are how people express their efforts to be gentler on the environment. Green is also the colour of money and that is exactly what you will be seeing when you take advantage of the retroactive component of the Multifamily Energy Efficiency Rebates. Have you done any retrofit work since January 1, 2008? It will only take you a few minutes to check what retrofits will qualify for the rebates.

If you’ve installed some ENERGY STAR® refrigerators, well that will be worth $60 a fridge. What about some new T8 light fixtures? Depending upon the type of fixture, your rebate will be anywhere from $12 to $21. And if you have a current energy audit, (less than 12 months old) you are entitled to up to $35 per unit. It is just that simple.

Retroactive retrofits that qualify for the rebates are the easiest way to access the Multifamily Energy Efficiency Rebates. Make sure you get some green for your energy conserving work. We have staff available to make sure that you are seeing green really soon!

Contact SHSC Customer Care if you want more information on MEER.

It has been 37 years since the first Climate Change conference in Stockholm and now we are on the eve of the latest round in Copenhagen.

But what does it mean for us?

Lately there have been questions raised about whether or not Global Warming is ‘real’ or not. In Canada we are becoming painfully aware of the changes in our north with the shrinking of the ice caps and the dangers that these changes mean for our northern communities. Scientists have warned of much bigger and more dangerous changes.

And what is it that is driving all of this?

For the most part it is believed that the burning of fossil fuels to create energy is the main cause of Global Warming. That has been our traditional source of energy for the past 150 years, the same period that has seen the most explosive growth of human kind in history.

But what are the options?

The sun produces enough energy to supply 8,000 times the entire planets needs for 2004. 8,000 times! So why are we not using this energy? Because we have become used to doing business a different way and have set up our economies to mesh with that model. Why not change? Because change is always difficult, especially for those that rely on a particular form of business to create revenue, like oil companies for instance.

But the real question is, whether or not you believe in Global Warming, why would we not want to change to an energy source that is virtually free and will last until the planet falls apart? Why would we not want to switch to a source that does not create toxic emissions and can be accessed anywhere in the world?

When Winston Churchill was preparing Great Britain for WWI he insisted that the war would be lost if the British navy did not switch fuel sources, from coal to oil. The establishment fought hard and claimed that the economy would fall to pieces, thousands would lose their jobs and the war would be lost. Sound familiar?

One thing we do know for sure, energy prices are only going in one direction, up! Given the chance of offsetting a traditional energy source with a renewable one, especially when it might be paid for through infrastructure and/or incentive programs, the choice seems clear.

Keir Brownstone is the General Manager of Green Light On A Better Environment (GLOBE), an SHSC subsidiary. For more on GLOBE, visit www.globeservices.ca

Consider that the world-renowned International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that there is a 90% chance that there will be more frequent heat spells and more severe weather. But wait, what does climate change mean to housing providers? Higher utility bills and maintenance costs! If those reputable predictions become a reality, climate change impacts will quickly become one of the most pressing issues facing our sector.

And then there is the opposition who question the IPCC’s assessment of climate change and who do not consider it to be as pressing an issue. After all, why should society spend billions of dollars to mitigate a threat that may not be as bad as predicted?

Whichever side of the coin you happen to be on, investing in renewable energy systems is something everyone can agree on. Renewable energy systems that harness sunlight, wind, and geothermal energy for electricity, space heating or water heating accomplish three important goals: reducing climate change impacts, saving drastically on utility bills, and increasing tenant comfort. In short, renewable systems will help modernize buildings and will turn social housing into more cost-efficient and attractive businesses.

In the past, cost has been considered a barrier, and yes, there certainly are upfront costs to installing renewable energy systems. Fortunately, the government’s new focus on renewables has led to numerous incentives and funding programs like SHRRP, ecoENERGY – Renewable Heat program, the Ontario Solar Thermal Heating Incentive, and the Ontario Solar Energy Systems Rebate. The Micro Feed-In-Tariff program even gives providers an opportunity to add a new revenue stream by selling electricity generated with renewables. With all of the money out there ripe for the taking, there has never been a better time to get into the renewables game.

Before investing renewable energy it’s important to address any underlying energy efficiency and conservation issues in the building which will help maximize the economics of the system. Things like educating staff and tenants, and simple retrofits like air sealing around windows will make savings from renewable energy systems even greater.

GLOBE and SHSC have prepared a guide titled Strategically Planning Renewable Energy Projects for Social Housing to provide a short overview of the various renewable technology out there, what to consider when installing them, and some helpful questions and answers.

• Significant amount of water can be wasted by leaks created by damaged piping; corroded valves, worn washers and leaking toilets
• Hot water can be as much as 20% of total energy costs in the average home
• If a toilet leak is substantial, you should be able to hear the water running
• In some municipalities there are incentive programs to help offset the cost of replacing old toilets with low flow toilets
• Replacing a showerhead with one that uses only six to 10 litres per minute would drop water usage by 50% per week

Sixty-seven percent of households leak 38 litres of water per day. Worse yet, five percent of households leak an average of more than 380 litres per day! Reducing your water consumption by repairing leaks and drips and by replacing old, less water-efficient fixtures with new water-saving devices helps to reduce your operating costs, create a more comfortable, healthy environment for tenants and helps to solve a global problem.

To identify conservation opportunities:

• Conduct a water use audit
• Record and fix items in need of repair immediately or as soon as possible
• Implement a leak reporting and repair program within each housing community
• Post a list of tips and methods in common areas to educate and help reduce water consumption and show that money saved in utility bills can be put to use improving homes.

A significant amount of water can be wasted by leaks created by damaged piping; corroded valves, worn washers and leaking toilets. A leak of one drop per second can waste as much as 10,000 litres of water per year. Hot water can be as much as 20% of total energy costs in the average home. If hot water is leaking, the energy used to heat the water is also wasted. A toilet that continues to run after flushing can waste up to 200,000 litres per year that’s enough to fill a swimming pool. If a toilet leak is substantial, you should be able to hear the water running. If the leak is small and you are not sure if you can hear it or not, tint the tank with food colouring. If the tinted water gradually seeps into the bowl, there is a leak. (Do not leave the coloured water in the toilet bowl for an extended time period as it may discolour the bowl interior.)

Make sure all your water outlets are turned off then check your water meter. If it’s still running you likely have a leak. Alternatively read the meter just prior to, and immediately following a period of low minimal usage, such as when residents are sleeping. If the water meter indicates more than minimal consumption during this off-time, then there is a strong possibility that the system is leaking water. Simple tests like these as part of a general test and tune-up program can save thousands of dollars a year in operating costs. Maintenance is a key component in any water conservation program. Tank tests, flapper tests and bag tests for shower heads can be carried out in a matter of minutes and will pay for themselves in a matter of weeks.

When purchasing new products keep in mind the figures below and purchase the ones with the least water consuming tendencies. Average water consumption for: Toilet flush, 6 to 30 litres per flush, Showering, 6 to 20 litres per minute, Bathtub, 115 to 190 litres per full tub, Washing machine, 85 to 150 litres per cycle, Dishwasher, 26 to 56 litres per cycle, Kitchen faucet, 7.6 to 11.3 litres per minute, Bathroom faucet, 7.6 to 11.3 litres per minute.

Toilets

The cost of water supply varies significantly from one municipality to another, and is increasing in most locations at a fairly rapid rate. Removing of old design toilets and replacing them with a new six-litre toilet will reduce water consumption by 50 percent or more. Low flow toilets new units range in cost from $150 to $400 and have an average payback period of three to six years. In some municipalities there are incentive programs to help offset this cost. Many municipalities charge for waste water treatment and disposal using a formula based on the amount of water purchased by each user. In these locations, you can save twice – by paying for less water and from the associated reduction in sewage treatment charges.

Showers

In Canada, the average person consumes about 326 litres of water per person per day. The shower is the second heaviest water user in the home. With a standard showerhead flow of 20 litres per minute, an average family of four, each taking a five-minute shower each day, would use about 2,800 litres of water per week. Replace that showerhead with one that uses only six to 10 litres per minute, and the usage would drop to about 1,300 litres per week (more than 50%). Low-flow showerheads range in price from about $15 to $75 or more. The typical payback period will depend on which unit is purchased and how the residents use water but should be in the range of six months to three years.

Faucet Aerators

The installation of faucet aerators on bathroom and kitchen faucet aerators can save up to 50 percent of the water usage and energy consumption (because of hot water use) from those devices. Also be sure to replace washer-type faucets with washer less faucets. Washer less faucet assemblies not only help reduce the amount of water that is wasted but lower on-going repair costs as well. As with Shower heads, the pay back period for this kind of replacement is very short.

Washing Machine

Choose a front loading washing machine. Not only does a front loading washing machine save water, it saves energy as well. It uses about 40% less water and about 50% less energy. Usually you can fit about 30% more clothes in a front load washer, it is easier on your clothes, meaning that clothes last longer, does a better job at removing water during the spin cycle which means less drying time and is much quieter. An ENERGY STAR front-loading clothes washer costs about $600 to $1,200. With average energy and water savings of $170 a year, it will pay for itself in payback period of 3.5 years.

Landscaping

Conduct a site design audit to identify opportunities to reduce storm water runoff through landscaping design, reduction of impervious surfaces and alternative storm water management systems. Check with your city codes then have your plumber re-route your gray water to trees and gardens rather than letting it run into the sewer line. Alternatively use harvested rain water for non-potable use (e.g. flushing toilets) or landscape irrigation. Direct rain spouts to vegetated areas. Landscape with native and drought-resistant plants and minimize turf. Raise the lawn mower blade to 2.5 to 3 inches. A lawn cut higher encourages grass roots to grow deeper and holds soil moisture better than a closely-clipped lawn. Pay attention to rain fall patterns and be sure not to water grass and plants when rain is available. When possible do not water the lawn on windy days. There’s too much evaporation it can waste up to 300 gallons in one watering. Use a rain gauge, or improvised device (empty tuna can), to track rainfall on your lawn. Then reduce your watering accordingly. Be sure to aerate your lawn at least once a year so water can reach the roots rather than run off the surface.