Better Builder Issue 7

IN THIS ISSUE»» Garden Homes: Always Better Than Code»» Customer Perception of Insulation»» Insulation: How much is Enough?»» Savings and Benefits From Future Proofing

an Existing Home»» Canada Net Zero Demonstration Project»» The Optimum Basement Wall

BETTER

Builder MAGAZINE

the builder’s source

ISSUE 07 | FALL 2013 WWW.BETTERBUILDER.CA

Insulation SystemsBalancing Efficiency with Cost

A b r e a t h o f f r e s h a i r .

MAX SERVICE

All mechanical and electrical components are accessible from the front of the unit.

Heating coil and fan/motor slide out for easy service.

One of the most extensive warranties in the business: 1-year parts & labour, 2-years on parts only, where applicable.

MAX COMFORT

With the increased effi ciency of this optional Electronically Commuted Motor (ECM), homeowners will be free to cycle air continuously with a minimal increase in electricity cost. Continuous fan operation helps improve fi ltration, reduce temperature variations, and helps keep the air clear of dust and allergens – making your customers’ homes more comfortable.

M ini Duc ted H i -Ve loc i t y A i r Handl ing System Optional Pr ior i t iz ing of Comfor t Levels with Energy Savings

MAX SPACE SAVER

The MAXAIR fan coil is so compact that it fi ts anywhere: laundry room, attic, crawl space, you can even place it in a closet.

It can be installed in new or existing homes.

It takes less than 1/3 of the space of a conventional heating and air conditioning unit.

MAX ENERGY SAVINGS

Energy savings, temperature control and comfort levels are achieved in individual levels of the home by prioritizing the requirements. This is achieved by installing optional space thermostats. If any area calls for heating or cooling, the individual thermostat allows the space it serves to achieve optimum comfort and still maintain continuous air circulation throughout the home.

This method of prioritizing is a great energy savings measure while offering an increased comfort level to the home owner.

FLEXAIRTM DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

MAX FLEXIBILITY

The supply outlets can be placed in the wall, ceiling or fl oor.

Each unit has four choices of locations for the return air connections.

The FLEXAIR™ insulated 2½" supply duct will fi t in a standard 2"x 4" wall cavity.

Can be mounted for vertical or horizontal airfl ow.

Can be combined with humidifi ers, high effi ciency air cleaners or ERVs / HRVs.

Snap-together branch duct and diffuser connections.

MAX ELECTRICAL SAVINGS

ECMs are ultra-high-effi cient programmable brushless DC motors that are more effi cient than the permanently split capacitor (PSC) motors used in most residential furnaces. This is especially true at lower speeds used for continuous circulation in many new homes.

1-800-453-6669 905-951-0022519-578-5560613-966-5643 416-213-1555 877-254-4729905-264-1414

For distribution of Air Max Technologies products call

www.airmaxtechnologies.com209 Citation Drive, Units 5&6, Concord, ON L4K 2Y8, Canada

C

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Y

CM

MY

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CMY

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Airmax ad with Prioritizing AMT 12430 AD FPG 09_HR.pdf 1 2013-04-18 8:46 AM

FEATURE STORY16 GardenHomes:AlwaysBetterThanCode

BY TRACY HANES

INSIDE THIS ISSUE02 Publisher'sNote:HeatFlow BY JOHN GODDEN

03 CustomerPerceptionofInsulation BY LOU BADA

04 StraightFromtheHart:Direct-to-Builder ConservationFunding BY LEN HART

06 Insulation-HowMuchisEnough? BY GORD COOKE

10 LookingAtInsulationHolistically BY THOM MILLS

13 MyHouseHasBeenFutureproofed! BY ALEX NEWMAN

22 Canada’sLargestNetZeroLow-RiseResidential DemonstrationProject BY MICHAEL LIO

24 SiteSpecific:GaryBotelho BY ALEX NEWMAN

26 AMVIC:InsulationSolutionsFromTheFoundation ToTheEaves BY HOWARD COHEN

29 EffectiveAtticVents BY BETTER BUILDER STAFF

30 TheOptimumBasementWall

BY: DOUG TARRY

BETTER

Builder MAGAZINE

the builder’s source

1

16

ISSUE07|FALL2013

WWW.BETTERBUILDER.CA | ISSUE 07 | FALL 2013

A b r e a t h o f f r e s h a i r .

MAX SERVICE

All mechanical and electrical components are accessible from the front of the unit.

Heating coil and fan/motor slide out for easy service.

One of the most extensive warranties in the business: 1-year parts & labour, 2-years on parts only, where applicable.

MAX COMFORT

With the increased effi ciency of this optional Electronically Commuted Motor (ECM), homeowners will be free to cycle air continuously with a minimal increase in electricity cost. Continuous fan operation helps improve fi ltration, reduce temperature variations, and helps keep the air clear of dust and allergens – making your customers’ homes more comfortable.

M ini Duc ted H i -Ve loc i t y A i r Handl ing System Optional Pr ior i t iz ing of Comfor t Levels with Energy Savings

MAX SPACE SAVER

The MAXAIR fan coil is so compact that it fi ts anywhere: laundry room, attic, crawl space, you can even place it in a closet.

It can be installed in new or existing homes.

It takes less than 1/3 of the space of a conventional heating and air conditioning unit.

MAX ENERGY SAVINGS

Energy savings, temperature control and comfort levels are achieved in individual levels of the home by prioritizing the requirements. This is achieved by installing optional space thermostats. If any area calls for heating or cooling, the individual thermostat allows the space it serves to achieve optimum comfort and still maintain continuous air circulation throughout the home.

This method of prioritizing is a great energy savings measure while offering an increased comfort level to the home owner.

FLEXAIRTM DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

MAX FLEXIBILITY

The supply outlets can be placed in the wall, ceiling or fl oor.

Each unit has four choices of locations for the return air connections.

The FLEXAIR™ insulated 2½" supply duct will fi t in a standard 2"x 4" wall cavity.

Can be mounted for vertical or horizontal airfl ow.

Can be combined with humidifi ers, high effi ciency air cleaners or ERVs / HRVs.

Snap-together branch duct and diffuser connections.

MAX ELECTRICAL SAVINGS

ECMs are ultra-high-effi cient programmable brushless DC motors that are more effi cient than the permanently split capacitor (PSC) motors used in most residential furnaces. This is especially true at lower speeds used for continuous circulation in many new homes.

1-800-453-6669 905-951-0022519-578-5560613-966-5643 416-213-1555 877-254-4729905-264-1414

For distribution of Air Max Technologies products call

www.airmaxtechnologies.com209 Citation Drive, Units 5&6, Concord, ON L4K 2Y8, Canada

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Airmax ad with Prioritizing AMT 12430 AD FPG 09_HR.pdf 1 2013-04-18 8:46 AM

3

6

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56 BLANTYRE AVE.56 BLANTYRE AVE.

Future Proofing Upgrades:

•Drain Water Heat Recovery

110-

100-

90-

80-

102Pre Future Proofing

Post Future Proofing

This house is rated using the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) property of RESNET of Oceanside, CA.

John Godden June 7th, 2013

Sustainable Housing Foundation

74•Drain Water Heat Recovery•ERV•Combination HTG System w/ECM•Instant Water Heater•15 SEER A/C•Programmable Thermostat•R50 Attic Insulation

-70-

60-

50-

40-

30-

20-

10-0

Proofing

27% Improvement

13

PUBLISHER BETTER BUILDER MAGAZINE 12 ROWLEY AVENUE TORONTO, ON M4P 2S8 416-481-4218 - FAX 416-481-4695 [email protected]

BETTER BUILDER MAGAZINE IS A SPONSOR OF

PUBLISHING EDITOR JOHN B. GODDEN [email protected]

MANAGING EDITOR WENDY SHAMI [email protected]

To advertise, contribute a story, or join our distribution list, please contact [email protected]

FEATURE WRITER TRACY HANES

CREATIVE ANNA-MARIE MCDONALD LITTLE GREEN BAG CREATIVE SERVICES

THIS MAGAZINE BRINGS TOGETHER PREMIUM PRODUCT MANUFACTURERS AND LEADING BUILDERS TO CREATE BETTER, DIFFERENTIATED HOMES AND BUILDINGS THAT USE LESS ENERGY, SAVE WATER AND REDUCE OUR IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT.

PUBLICATION NUMBER 42408014

Copyright by Better Builder Magazine. Contents may not be reprinted or reproduced without written permission obtained at [email protected].

The opinions expressed herein are exclusively those of the authors and assumed to be original work. Better Builder Magazine can not be held liable for any damage as a result of publishing such works.

UNDELIVERABLE MAIL BETTER BUILDER MAGAZINE 12 ROWLEY AVENUE TORONTO, ON M4P 2S8

BETTER BUILDER MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR BY

2

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Heat FlowHeatflowisdefinedbyasimpleequation:Q=A/RXΔT.ThinkofAasthesurfaceareaofthebuildingenvelopethatismadeofattics,walls,windowsandfoundationwalls.Rissimplytheamountofinsulationweusetoresistheatflowunderatemperaturedifference(ΔT).Onthesurface,itseemslikeasimplerelationshipuntilweintroducemorevariableslikethecostofenergyandthecosteffectivenessofinsulationsystems.

Buildingscientistspromotetheapplicationandunderstandingofnaturalprocessesandtechnologytoencouragelong-termapproaches.Buildersemployshort-termdecisionmakingthatdependsonfirstcostsandcodeminimumsthatmaynotbethemostdurablestrategiesovertime.Anybodythatownstheirownbusinesshasanappreciationforthesimplefactthatthepriceofgoodsbeingsoldmustbegreaterthanwhatitcosttoproducethem.Wewonder,atwhichpointdowestopspendingmoneyoninsulationsystems?Howmuchinsulationisenough?Withcheapenergy,howcanwejustifysuperinsulatinghouses?WitheverynewhouseinOntariobuilttoanEnerguide80,ahighlevelofperformance,howdowesellefficiencytohomeowners?

Inthisissuewehavemanygoodperspectivesthatshedlightonthesequestions.LouBadaexplorestheconceptofthefoamhouse.WelcomebacktocontributorLenHartwhooutlinestheincentivesfromelectricalutilitiesthatrewardbuildersbasedonenergyperformance.GordCookeconductsadiscussionoftheconceptofeffectiveR-valuessoontoberecognizedbythenationalbuildingcode.AlexNewmanhasfutureproofedherexistinghomeandreportsonthebenefitsandsavingssheisexperiencing.ThomMillsofGreenHomeTVtalksaboutallthevariousinsulationsystemsheusedtoaddontoandrenovatehisfarmhouse.MichaelLioreportsonaNetZerodemonstrationprojectwhereNaturalResourcesCanadaisengagingbuildersacrossthecountrytoconstructhousesthatuseverylittlepurchasedenergy.DougTarryshareshisquestfortheoptimumbasementwallandthecurrentstudyheisundertaking.

Inevitabilitythenaturalworldshowsusthebalancerequiredtocreatesustainablesystems. Nothingseemstobewastedandeach improvementisintegrated.Thethingsthatdon’tworkdon’tlast.Withfinitenaturalresourcesandglobalwarming,Ithinkconservationisthekeytoasustainablefuture.It’saboutreducingandnotconsumingourresources.

Moreinsulationisbetterandunderstandinghowitworksiscritical–solet’sgetstuffed,andI’mnottalkingturkey.

J O H N G O D D E N

BUILDER NEWS

3

Customer Perception of InsulationHomebuildershavemanymasters,I’veoftentouchedonaprimaryone,theregulatorychallengesofourbusiness.However,thereisnogreatermasterinafreemarketeconomythanthecustomer.Wetalkadnauseamaboutissuessuchasthecostversesthebenefit(sustainability/carbonfootprint)ofoneparticularpracticeortechnologyoranother.Ashomebuilderswemustnotneglectourcustomersperceptions.Ifwedo,wedosoatourfinancialperil.Wesimplywouldn’texistasahomebuilderifnotenoughcustomerswantedtobuyourproduct.

Onthesubjectofperception,Iamremindedoftheresistanceandconcernsourcustomershavehadonwhatmostbuildingscientistswouldcallano-brainer:ExtrudedPolystyrene(XPS)Insulationasexteriorsheathing.Mostintheindustryknowandagreeonthebenefitsofinsulatedsheathing.Thesebenefitsinclude;providingathermalbreak,actingasacontinuousinsulation,andtheabilitytoprovideanoutboardair-barriertonamebutafew.Theproblembeginsbecauseourcustomers,forthemostpart,don’tknoworcaretoknowabouttheproduct.

ThefactremainsthatXPSsheathingismorebrittleandpronetodamageandisperceivedtobeflimsy,notasstructurallyrobust(infactyoucannotbuildatallwallwithoutthebenefitofastructuralsheathing--OSBorplywoodfornow).Onsubdivisionswherewe’veusedXPSsheathing,Mondaymorningsinourofficewerealwaysanonslaughtofcustomercalls,emailscompletewithphotoattachments.Complaintsabout“holesintheirwalls”thatwereseenontheweekenddrivetothesitetoseetheirnewhomeunderconstruction.Ourassurancesthattheywouldberepairedatalaterdateandnotbythatsameeveningweremetwithskepticism.InoneinstanceweweresellingalargerupscaleEnergyStarhomethatapurchaserrefusedtobuyunlessweusedadifferentBuilderOptionPackagethatemployedOSBorplywood

becausethepurchaserfeltXPSsheathingwasaninferiorproductandsowedid.Thepurchaseralsoagreedtopaymoreforthehomeasaresult(andmaystillbe

paying).TheseadverseeventsplayedsomepartinourchoosingCompliancePackageJforourSB-12requirements.

Buildingnewhomesenmassisinsomerespectslikepolitics—theartofthepossible.Wecouldattemptagain(andhave)totrainour

numerousandnomadictrades-peopletobemorecarefulinXPSinstallationwithvaryingdegreesofsuccess.Then,simultaneously

undertakeaconsumereducationprojectonthevalueofXPS(therebydoingthemanufacturersoftheproductagreatbigfavor)andwatchcustomer’seyesglazeover,orchoosePackageJandnevergetacallonXPSholes

inwallsMondaymorningsagain.YouknowwhatIchose.

Ibelieveastutemanufacturerswillrespondwithamorerobuststructuralinsulatedsheathingthatwillhavesuitablerackingstrengthtobuildtallwalls,appropriateR-values,thatiscosteffectiveanddealwithcustomerperceptions.

Astheircustomerthat’swhatIneed,becauseIbelieveIknowwhatmycustomerswant.

ISSUE 07 | FALL 2013

L O U B A D A

LOUBADAISTHECONSTRUCTION&CONTRACTSMANAGERFORSTARLANEHOMES

4

THE OPA’S RESIDENTIAL NEW CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM INCENTS BUILDERS, NOT HOMEBUYERS

WhiletherearestillsomechallengestotheResidentialNewConstructionProgram,theOPAgotitrightwhentheydecidedtofocusonprovidingfundingdirectlytothebuildertoimproveenergyconservationinnewhomeconstruction.Itmakessense,sinceaprogramthatpaysanaverageof$400perhouseisnotmuchofarebaterelativetoa$500,000purchasebyahomebuyer(0.08%),whereasadding$400perhometoabuilder’smarginismoresignificant,especiallyinahighvolumeproductionenvironment.

Theprogramdesignerswerebettingthatbuilderswillpaymoreattentionthanhomebuyerswouldand,therefore,theprogramwouldhavemoreuptake.Forsometimenow,itseemstomethatbuildershavebeenmuchmorefocusedonenergysavingsthantheirhomebuyingcustomers.Whetherit’sduetovoluntarylabelssuchasENERGYSTAR,orbecauseoftherequirementsthatmunicipalitieshavemade,orjustpartofthequalityimprovementsthateachbuilderundertakes,conservationisnowverymuchleadbybuilders.

TheOPA’sResidentialNewConstructionprogramprovidesrebatestobuilderswhoupgradetheirstandardofferingtoincludeelectricalenergysavings.Initsearlydaysthisprogramwasboggeddowninpaperworkandprocessproblems,butithasbeenredesignedandismuchmorefunctionalnow.And,whiletherewereonly27homesintheprogramlastyear(thefirstyearitwasreallyoffered),thisyearthereshouldbecloserto2000.Theprogramrunsuntiltheendof2014,andtheOPAiscurrentlylookingtodesignnewprogramsfor2015,sosomeuptakeinthisprogramwouldcer-tainlyhelpthoseofusmakingtheargumentthatdirect-to-builderfundingisthebestwayforward.

BUILDER NEWSBUILDER NEWS

L E N H A R T

Straight from the HartDIRECT-TO-BUILDER CONSERVATION FUNDING

5

Theprovince-wideprogramisdeliveredbyeachelectricutilityintheirindividualservicearea.Theprogramessentiallyoffersthreeapplicationroutes:Prescriptive,Performance,andCustom.

Prescriptive rebates include the following:

TheperformancepathpaysforEnerGuideratings:83and84ratingget$500rebateand85andabovegets$1000.GreenSaver,alongwithBuildingKnowledge,hasbeenlobbyingtorecognizeENERGYSTAR(nextgen)asproofofEGH83,sonootherratingproofisneeded.Thecustommeasuresaremorecomplicated,butoffermoreflexibility.Theprogram,muchlikeENERGYSTAR,requirespre-enrollment,butotherwiseit’squitestraightforward.Atleastonelocalelectricitydistributorisalsosupportingbuilderpromotionaleffortstodrivehomesales,VeridianConnectionsInc.willfundona50/50basis,cooperativeadvertisingtopromoteparticipatingbuildersinitsservicearea.

Theprogramisrelativelyuntestedinthemarketplace,sosometweaksandinterpretationsstillneedtobemadeforittoworkefficiently;however,sincetheapplicationprocessistwo-staged(preandpost)agoodstrategyformostbuilderswouldbetoapplynowforeverythingtheymightpossiblybeeligibleforinthepreliminaryapplication,andthenworkwithyourlocalelectricutilitytoseewhatyoucangetarebatefor.Thiskeepsthedooropen.TheprogramcanalsobecombinedwithotherfundinglikeSavingsByDesignandOptimumHomesrunbythegasutilities.BuilderswhoarelookingtobuildtothenewENERGYSTARspecificationsshouldbeenrolledinthisprogram.Severalutilitiesinhighgrowthareashavecontractedwith3rdpartygroups,includingGreenSaver,tosupportapplicationdevelopmentwithbuilders,[email protected].


BUILDER NEWS

LENARDHART IS THEBUSINESSDEVELOPMENTDIRECTORATGREENSAVERANOT-FOR-PROFIT ENVIRONMENTALORGANIZATIONFOCUSEDON

RESIDENTIALENERGYEFFICIENCYANDCONSERVATIONPROGRAMS. HEWASONEOFTHEDEVELOPERSOFTHEENERGYSTARFORNEWHOMES

PROGRAM INONTARIOANDTHEFORMERPUBLISHINGEDITOROFSUSTAINABLEBUILDERMAGAZINE.

ELIGIBLE PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURES:

All-offswitch-masterswitchthatcontrolsmultipleelectricalsocketsinmultiplelocationsinthehome(hardwired) $50.00

Highefficiencyfurnacewithafullyvariablespeedelectronicallycommutatedmotor(ECM).Thefurnacemustbelistedonthe

ECMEligibilityListwhichwillbemadeavailabletoParticipantsbytheOPA

$50.00

ENERGYSTARqualifiedcentralairconditioner(CAC)thathasatleasta15SeasonalEnergyEfficiencyRatioand12.5Energy

EfficiencyRatio.TheunitmustmeettheminimumrequirementssetoutintheEligibleA/CandA/CCoilList,whichwillbemade

availabletoParticipantsbytheOPA.

$30.00

LightingControlProducts–hardwiredindoorandoutdoortimersandmotionsensors,dimmerswitches. $3.00perproduct

ENERGYSTARqualifiednichelightingthatfallsintooneofthebelowthreecategories:

ENERGYSTARqualifiedrecessedlighting–musthaveGU24replacement

ENERGYSTARqualifiedunderthecounterlighting

ENERGYSTARqualifiedLEDlighting

$15.00per

product

ENERGYSTARqualifiedindoorlightfixtures(HardWired)

• 1or2sockets

• 3ormoresockets

$3.00

$10.00

BUILDER NEWS

6

Ihaveoneofthoseoldpocketcalendars;thenotebooktypefrom1939thatmyauntkeptforsomereasonalltheseyears.ItwassponsoredbyacompanycalledThePneumaticInsulatingCo.andtheirtaglinewas“FleeceLineYourHome”.Theyshowaschematicofatruckblowinginsulationintoanattic.Theyalsohaveapictureoftwohousessidebyside,onewithsnowontheroof,theotherwithout.Thefourpromotionalpagesoftheotherwiseblankpocketnotebookadvocate4”ofRockwoolinsulationfora“properlyinsulatedhouse”andto“avoidburningwoodtomeltthesnowontheroof”.WecanchucklenowattheideaofR12beingtheproperamountofinsulationinanattic.Butwhatistherightamount,howmuchistoomuch.Howmuchiscosteffectivenow,andinthefuture?Afterall,thehomeswebuildtodayaresupposedtolastanywherefrom100to300years.Wedon’twantourdescendantstochuckleatusashort75yearsfromnowforputtingjustR20inwallsandR50inceilings.Thereareatleastthreereasonstorecalibrateyourthinkingasyouchoosehowmuchinsulationandthetotalinsulationstrategytoimplement.

First,Iwaseducatedbyaprogressivebuilderoutwestastothenewmetricsofinsulation.WhenIsawtheir2”x8”wallfullofsprayfoaminsulationandanadditional2”ofrigidexteriorinsulation,Icommentedthatitsoundedlikeanexpensivewall.TheywerequicktopointoutthatitwasacheapwallwhenyouconsidertheextrainsulationwasfarlessexpensivethantheinstallationofsolarpanelsneededtogeneratetheequivalentenergyotherwiselostthroughanR20wall.Infact,IdidaHOT2000analysisonthedifferencethatwallupgradewouldmakeona2300sq.ft.,twostoreyhomeinEdmonton.Indeedthewallupgradewouldsavetheequivalentoftheoutputfromapproximately5.5kWofsolarpanels.Ataninstallationcostofeven$4,000perkW,aprettyoptimisticcostinCanadaatthemoment,readersshouldaskthemselvesiftheycouldbuildthat2x8wall,plus2”continuousexternalinsulationforlessthananincrementalcostof$22,000.Thusthenewmetricshouldnotbefiberglassversusmineralwoolversushigh-densityorlow-densityfoam,butratherinsulationversussolarpanels.Thatis,ofcourse,ifyouareheadedtowardsnet-zerohomes.Intheshortterm,asimilarcalculationthatisjustaslucrativeistocompareextrainsulationcoststothenetcostofreducedmechanicalequipmentandthelowerenergybillsthatfinancetheincreasedmortgagepaymentsattoday’slowinterestrates.Dothemath;ifitwastrulyaboutthemoney,theinvestmentvalueofinsulationandthecosttogettonet-zero,wewouldhaveincreasedinsulationlevelssignificantlyyearsago.

Ofcourse,wehavelearnedalotin75yearsandourunderstandingofconductiveheatflowthroughwalls,ceilingsandfloors–allopaqueassemblies–hasleadtorecognitionofthetotal“effective”resistancetoheatfloworeffectiveR-value.Codes,standardsandenergyefficiencyprogramsarequicklymovingawayfromprescribingsimplynominalinsulationvaluesandtowardsrecognitionofthetotalconductiveheatflowboththroughinsulationandframingelements.ThesimplechartbelowisanexampleofthetypesofcalculationsdetailedintheNaturalResourcesCanada“TablesforCalculatingEffectiveThermalResistanceofOpaqueAssemblies”nowreferencedintheENERGYSTARforNewHomes2012programandlikelytobereferencedbyatleasttheNationalBuildingCode.

ThecalculationsaredoneusingtheIsothermalPlanes(Series-Parallel)methodasdescribedin2009ASHRAEHandbook—Fundamentals.Notethatusingthismethod,a2x4wallwithR14cavityinsulationand1”ofextrudedfoamsheathinghasaslightlyhigherR-valuethana2x6wallwithanominalinsulationvalueofR20.Notealsothatanadvancedframedwallwith2”XPSsheathingandR24cavityinsulationshowsa75%improvementinresistancetoheatflowoverthe2x6,R20nominalinsulationwall.Thisnewemphasisontotaleffectiveresistanceisthesecondreasontorecalibrateourthinkingaboutappropriateinsulationlevelsandstrategies.Readerscanimmediatelyimaginetwolikelyoutcomes;arenewedinterestinadvancedframingandaclearemphasisoncontinuous,externalinsulation.Bothoftheseinitiativesrequireprocesschangesbeyondthesimple,historicalapproachofstuffing

Insulation – Recalibrating How Much is Enough?

G O R D C O O K E

moreandbetterinsulationintocavities.Thesechangesrequireconsiderationofatleastcladdingandwindowattachment,structuralintegrity,walldimensionsandresultingpossiblehousedesignchangesandevenwatermanagementdetailing.Despitethecomplexityofincludinginsulatedsheathingorimplementingadvancedframing,therelativevalueofcontinuousinsulationandthecostsavingsoffewerwoodmemberswillbedifficulttoignoreasthethermalperformanceofbuildingsisadvanced.

Thefinalpointfordiscussioninthisarticlehighlightsaneedtorethinkinsulationstrategiesspecificallyasaresultoftheincreasedinsulationlevelsnowdemandedbycodeandexpectedbyhomeowners.Insulationreducesorrestrictstheflowofheatthroughbuildingelements,suchaswallsorattics.Italsosimultaneouslylowersthesurfacetemperatureofelementswithinassembliesandreducesthedryingpotentialoftheassembly.Thereforethemoreinsulationthereisinawallorattic,thegreaterchancethereisforcondensationwithinthecavity.Thereislessopportunityfordryingoftheassemblyifliquidwaterisintroduced.InallbutthelowermainlandofVancouver,themathwouldshowthatwithjustR20insulationina2x6wall,thesurfacetemperatureoftheinteriorfaceofexteriorOSBorplywoodsheathingislowenough,forasignificantportionofthewinter,inanywallinCanadatoresultincondensationifanywarm,moistairisallowedintothecavity.Asaresultwhenchoosinginsulationstrategies,thedecisionmatrixmustincludetheattachmentandstructuralissuesnotedabovebutalsoincludeconsiderationofatleasttwo

Both of these initiatives require process changes beyond the simple, historical approach of stuffing more and better insulation into cavities.

7

BUILDER NEWS


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BUILDER NEWS

opportunities.First,continuous,insulatedsheathingwarmsupthe“firstcondensingsurface”,theinteriorfaceoftheexteriorsheathing,toreducecondensationpotential.Second,choosinginsulationproductsthatreduceairinfiltration,suchassprayinplacefoamorcontinuousexteriorfoamsheathingisalsoveryvaluable.Airtightnessandwatermanagementimprovementsshouldalwaysaccompanyanyincreasesininsulationlevels.

Ascodesandenergyprogramsadvanceinsulationlevels,recalibrateyourthinkingastoboththerelativevalueofthatinsulationwithrespecttootheralternativesandselectstrategiesthatsimultaneouslyimproveinsulationeffectiveness,durabilityandcosteffectiveness.

Our fans won’t leave you steamed. Say goodbye to steamy, wet bathrooms with the new WhisperSense™ ventilation fan from Panasonic®. Featuring dual-sensor technology, the fan reacts to both motion and humidity, automatically turning on when someone enters the room or if excess moisture is detected. Removing excessive moisture helps reduce mold and mildew, resulting in a cleaner, drier bathroom. WhisperSense surpasses ENERGY STAR® standards for ef�ciency by as much as 264%* and complies with ASHRAE 62.2 and LEED green building standards.

WhisperSense from Panasonic—the sensible approach to high-performance ventilation.

To learn more about Panasonic ventilation fans visit www.panasonic.ca, email [email protected] or call 1-800-669-5165

*Comparison with ENERGY STAR requirement of minimum ef�cacy level of 1.4 CFM per watt for 10-80 CFM fans and 2.8 CFM per watt for 90-130 CFM fans.

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9ISSUE 07 | FALL 2013

BUILDER NEWS

Our fans won’t leave you steamed. Say goodbye to steamy, wet bathrooms with the new WhisperSense™ ventilation fan from Panasonic®. Featuring dual-sensor technology, the fan reacts to both motion and humidity, automatically turning on when someone enters the room or if excess moisture is detected. Removing excessive moisture helps reduce mold and mildew, resulting in a cleaner, drier bathroom. WhisperSense surpasses ENERGY STAR® standards for ef�ciency by as much as 264%* and complies with ASHRAE 62.2 and LEED green building standards.

WhisperSense from Panasonic—the sensible approach to high-performance ventilation.

To learn more about Panasonic ventilation fans visit www.panasonic.ca, email [email protected] or call 1-800-669-5165

*Comparison with ENERGY STAR requirement of minimum ef�cacy level of 1.4 CFM per watt for 10-80 CFM fans and 2.8 CFM per watt for 90-130 CFM fans.

WhisperSense Ad Eco_2013_v4.indd 1 13-07-24 11:47 AM

BUILDER NEWS

10

BUILDER NEWS

Insulatingahomeisnotoftenaonesizefitsallproposition.Inmostcasesonesolutionistypicallybetterthananotherconsideringallthefactorsinvolved.IntheGreenHomeTVHomeAdditionProject,we’vehadtotakemanyfactorsintoaccountaswe’veaddressedbothrenovationandnewbuildaspectsoftheproject.

Theprojecteffectivelystartedasanewbuildaddedontoacentury-plusfarmhouse.Wewentthroughaprocessofevaluatinganumberofdifferentbuildingshell/wallsystems.Theseincludedstandardstudsandinsulationoptionsincludingbatt,sprayfoam,aswellasStructuralInsulatedPanelSystems(SIPS),andweevenconsideredstrawbale(onafarm-basedproperty,wecouldpotentiallygrowourowninsulation!),plusafewotheroptions.Intheend,wechosetouseInsulatedConcreteForms(ICF)complementedbysprayfoamandridgedfoam.

ForusthechoiceofICFreallycamedowntoafewfactors:

• shellframedandinsulatedinonestep

• floorsubstructureconnecteddirectlyintothesystem

• continuousinsulatedsystemwiththeeffectivenessofanR30wallfromfoundationtoroof

• zeroairpenetrationininsulationsystem

• structuralintegrityandthermalmassnatureofconcrete

• onecrewbuildfromfootingstoroof

• zeroorganicmaterialstoeventuallyrotofbecomebuginfested

ICF,asaproductcategory,haditsbeginningsinthelate’60sandearly’70s,byEuropeanengineerswhowerelookingto

createabuildingproductthatwouldcombinesimplicity,strength,andenergyefficiency.Theformsaremadeofexpandedpolystyrene(EPS)foamslabsheldtogetherbyplasticwebsthatactasconcrete-formingtoolsinthebuildingprocessandremainafterasinsulation.ICFhasmorecommonlybeenusedbelowgrade,butitsuseforthewholeenvelopeallowsforasinglecontractortoprovidetheentiresolution,eliminatingconnectionpointsinthetransitionfrombelowtoabovegrade.

Thebuildprocesswasfairlysimple.Footingswerepoured,withspecialcaretakentoensuretheyarelevel.TheICF“bricks”arelaidoutinmuchthesamewayyoumaystartbuildingahousewithLEGO,usingcornerandstraightpieces,asnecessary,tomatchthebuildingplans.Wooden“bucks”areconstructedtoframedoorsandwindows.Withsteelrebarinstalledinthebricksverticallyandhorizontally,theassemblyisreadyforconcrete.AnICF-specificready-mixconcreteispumpedintotheforms,andavibratorisusedtoremoveairpocketsthatmayhaveformedduringthepour.

Beyondthosereasons,wewantedtoensurethatwhatwereabouttobuildhadthepotentialtolastaslongasthecurrentstructure.Builtbydistantrelativesinthe1840sofa2’fieldstonefoundationwallwithashellof3coursebrick,withabitofmaintenanceitshouldlastanother170orsoyears.I’mhopingthatinsulatingworkwedidnowwillstillbeservingchildrenandgrandchildrenwellintothefuture.

ICFisgreatfortheexteriorwallsbutnogoodforroofs;that’swereweturnedtosprayfoam.IcynenesprayfoamallowedustocreateanR50vaultedceilingfreeofdrafts

T H O M M I L L S

Looking at Insulation Holistically

11

BUILDER NEWS

inaspacethatistypicallyhardtoinsulatewellwithbattinsulation.lcynenealsosealedupotherhardtoinsulatelocationsincludingthoseaboveandbelowbaywindowsandlowceilingunderporchbathrooms.

Alloftheseinsulatedareasbecomepiecesofthecompletebuildingenvelope.WithICFinthewalls,Sprayfoamintheroof,twoinchesofridgedfoamunderthebasementslabandradiantfloorscompletingtheinsulationwrap.

Ofcoursewepayattentiontothedetailofinsulationsystemsandthengoaheadandcutholesinitallovertheplace.Necessaryholesadmittedly.Holesfordoors,windows,exhaustfans,HRVsandmore.TripleLowE2windowsfromInlineFiberglassandinsulatedfiberglassdoorsfromMDLDoorsmanageandoptimizetheseopeningsallowingforaccess,naturalventilationandheatcontrol/gainappropriate.

Sohastherebeenaplaceforbattinsulationintheproject?Roxul’sSafeandSoundmineralwoolinsulationprovidedanintegralpartofthehome’sinternalsoundcontrolstrategy.CombinedwithGreenGlue,doublelayerdrywall,channel

strappingandtheradiantfloortopping,Roxulservestocreateaquiethomegivingprivacytoallwhilealsolettingeveryoneenjoytheirownspaces.

Thefactis,thisadditionwe’vebuiltwasn’tthefirsttobeaddedtotheoriginal1840structure.Asmallwingwasbuiltintheearly‘70sof2x4walls(real2x4ssourcedfromtheproperty)insulatedwithfiberglassbattsbehindaluminumsiding.OurnewadditionwasfinishedwithStoneRoxlightweightveneerstoneandit’snowtimetogivetheoldadditionthesametreatment;thisisourSummerStoneRoxProject.Aspartofthisprojectwe’llbeusing2½”ridgedfoambetweenthecurrentwallsandthestonetodoubletheRvaluewhiledrasticallyimprovingtheairinfiltration.Youcanfollowthispartoftheprojectatwww.greenhometv.org/summerstoneroxproject.htmlaswetakeitoninfamilyDIYstyle.

FollowtheGreenHomeTVHomeAdditionProjectpluscoverageofothergreenbuildingprojectsatwww.greenhometv.org.Forlinkstospecificpeople,companiesandotherreferencesmadeinthisarticle,pleasegotowww.greenhometv.org/betterbuilder.(Visithttp://www.greenhometv.org/betterbuildforvideosthatcomplementthisarticle)

THOMMILLSISTHEHOST,CREATIVEDIRECTORANDPRODUCEROFGREENHOMETV

www.inlinefiberglass.com 1.866.566.5656

INLINE FIBERGLASS LTD. can help your clients meet their energy and thermal

performance targets in most cases without the use of special designs or expensive

glass options. Call us to discuss your next project and find out why our windows are

chosen often for LEED designs, Passive Homes, Healthy Homes, Health Centers, Hospitals,

Schools, Fire Stations, Hydro Offices, Retirement Homes, Nursing Homes . . .

MEMBER/MEMBRE

Unison Community Health Centre / Architect: Hilditch Architect / Constructor: Buttcon Limited

INLINE FIBERGLASS LTD.Covering all your angles, SB10, SB12, Energy Star, NFRC, High Performance Window Products

INLINE SAB38.indd 1 12-11-29 11:00 AM

13

I’veneverbeenparticularlysusceptibletosalespitches,butwhenJohnGoddensuggestedIconsideranewHVACsystemformy80-year-old(Toronto)Beacheshome,Imustadmitmycuriositywaspiqued.Mycolleague,writerTracyHanes,haddonesomethingsimilartoherhome,andmyfurnace,at18yearsold,waslivingonborrowedtime.Theairconditioning,aneweraddition,hadbeeninstalledoneparticularlyhellishsummer,withtemperaturesmakingithardtowork,sleep,andevenmovearound.

Althoughmyfurnacewashighqualityhighefficiencyinitsday(1995),Ifiguredwemightnothavemuchtimelefttogether.Infact,lastwinterIcalledmyoriginalinstallertocheckthefurnaceoverandseehowmuchlifewasleft.Hisanswerwascrypticandvague:couldbesixmonths,couldbesixyears.

Goddenwalkedmethroughwhathethoughtwouldmakesenseformy1450sqfthome.Firstupwastheold“highefficiency”furnacethatwentthroughrapid,noisycyclesofblastingonandshuttingdownresultinginuneveninteriortemperatures.Theacunitwasthetraditionalbigfatunitplacedamongthebushesinmostpeople’shome–minejuttedoutintotheprettypathI’dmadeinthesideyardofflagstoneandcedarmulch.Itwasalmostimpossibletowalkaround.

SinceI’mavisuallearnerandnotverytechnologicallyinclined,Goddendrewonapieceofpaperwhatmycurrentsystemdid(andmoreimportantlydidnotdo)andwhatanewonecoulddoespeciallyinenergyefficiencyterms.As

heexplained,theexistingfurnacewasmuchtoobigforthehouse,whichaccountedforthenon-stopon-offcycles.

I’vealwaysbeencompetitivewithmyself,andthechallengeofreducingmyowncarbonfootprintwastoohardtoresist.Theprojectfeltalittlelikeacontestandtheprizewaslowerconsumption,lowerbillsandthereforemoremoneyinmywallet.

Anotherbonuswasanice$1500-plusrebateofferedbyEnbridgeifIcouldlowertheenergyconsumptionby25%.Tocreateabenchmark,Goddenorderedanauditwithblowerdoortestthatwoulddeterminewherethehouseleakedair,andenergy.ConductedbyAnthonyZanini(fromclearsphere.ca),theauditrevealedmyhousehadaHERs(homeenergyratingsystem)ratingof102.Reducingthatrating(throughreducingconsumption)bymorethan25%wouldrequireimprovementtoboththemechanicalsystemsandthebuildingenvelope.

Duringarecentrenovation,I’dinstallednewwindowswithlow-Eargonanddoubleglazing.Severalwallswereknockedoutwhichgavebettercirculation,andthelastbitsofknobandtubewereremoved(mosthadbeenpulledin1995whenIboughtthehouse).

Buttherewasstillmoretofixtheenvelope,suchaspatchalargecrackintheupstairsbathroomwallwhichwasleakingairintotheattic–anewI-beamonthebackendofthemainfloorleveledeverythingbutcausedcrackingontheupstairswallswhichhadsettledovertheyears.Ihadtobeefuptheatticinsulation–theblowninstuffhaddriftedandtherewerebarepatchesinplaces.GoddensuggestedRoxulbattingbelaiddownin.Andaholeintheattic--createdbyapreviousrenovatorwho’ddoneapoorjobinstallingthebathroomexhaustfan–hadtobefilled.

Withthebuildingenvelopeimproved,therewaslessdemandoneitherheatingorcooling,allowingmetomakeappropriatechoicesinnewequipment.Theimprovementstothemechanical/electricalsystemsincluded:

1. A new water heater:I’dpurchased/leasedahotwaterheaterjusttwoyearsbeforefromaReli-ancedoortodoorsalespersonIdidn’tresistandregrettothisday,sinceIsignedontoasevenyearcontract.Therewerefivemoreyearsonthecontract–ittook$900togetmeoutofit.(UpsidewasIgavetheotherwaterheatertoafriendonastrictbudget,whoneededtobuysometimebefore


www.inlinefiberglass.com 1.866.566.5656

INLINE FIBERGLASS LTD. can help your clients meet their energy and thermal

performance targets in most cases without the use of special designs or expensive

glass options. Call us to discuss your next project and find out why our windows are

chosen often for LEED designs, Passive Homes, Healthy Homes, Health Centers, Hospitals,

Schools, Fire Stations, Hydro Offices, Retirement Homes, Nursing Homes . . .

MEMBER/MEMBRE

Unison Community Health Centre / Architect: Hilditch Architect / Constructor: Buttcon Limited

INLINE FIBERGLASS LTD.Covering all your angles, SB10, SB12, Energy Star, NFRC, High Performance Window Products

INLINE SAB38.indd 1 12-11-29 11:00 AM

A L E X N E W M A N

INDUSTRY NEWS

My House Has Been Future Proofed!

INDUSTRY NEWS

1414

rHVCAResidential Heating Ventilation

Contractors Association

rhvca.com | [email protected] | 905-264-9967

heartThe

of your

home

Don’t leave the health of your home’s

most valuable asset to chance. Trust only

a RHVCA member to design, install and

service your heating, cooling and ventilation

system. Our members represent the

highest standards of training, certification,

and expertise in the HVAC industry.

changinghiswholesystem.)WhatIgotinsteadwasa98.4%efficientFlowMaxinstantaneouscondensinghotwaterunitthatprovidesbothdomesticwaterandspaceheating.HeatgeneratedbythisisthendistributedthroughthehousebyanAirMaxairhandlerratherthanaconventionalfurnace,althoughtheexistingductworkwasgoodtogo,savingmemoneyonexpensivealterationslikethat.

2. Air max air handler:Icouldhaveinstalledanewspecialductsystemthatmovesairaroundformaximumcomfort,butdidn’thavethebudgettoaltertheexistingductworkwhichhadbeeninstalledonly18yearsbeforewhenweboughtthehouse.TheAirmaxismuchquieterthanatraditionalfurnaceandtheDCmotorallowsairtocirculatecontinuallyevenwhentheheatingorcoolingareoff.Thismotorsaves80%oftheelectricityofaconventionalmotor.

3. ERV:theenergyrecoveryventilatordrawsfreshairinfromoutsidethroughthechimney,circulatesitthroughthehouse,andthenventsoutstaleairviathebasement.BothfreshandstaleairstreamthroughtheERV,andevenrecoverssomeoftheheatthatwouldotherwisehavebeenventedout,butithappenswithoutmixingthestaleandfreshair.Italsotransferssomeofthemoisturefromhumidairintothedryerairstream–soinwinter,theinternalatmosphereismorehumidthanitcouldbeandinsummerit’slesshumid,eliminatingtheneedforeitherhumidifierordehumidifier.Whenthere’stoomuchhumidityintheinteriorair,itgetsexhaustedoutside;iftheairistoodry,theERVsystemwillretainsomehumidity.

4. Drain heat recovery:acopperpowerpipewasinstalledintothestackatthebasementlevel.Apiececutoutofthestackwasreplacedwiththecopperpipewhichextractsheatfromwastewater–shower,dishwasher,sinks–thatcanpreheatwaterenteringthehotwatertankcuttingdownontheenergyrequiredtogiveushotwater.

5. The air conditioner:wasreplacedbya14.5SEER(CompactAirbyManuflow)andisslim,huggingtheexteriorwallofthehousesoit’seasytopassbyonmyprettysidepath.

MynewHERSratingis74–areductionof28%,andthefirstelectricbillprovesitindollarsandcents.MyconsumptionforJuneandJulywasabout1104kwh,comparedto1845kwh(2012)and1719kwh(2011)–that’sabouta35%reductioninconsumption.

I’malsoenjoyinganumberofotherunforeseenbenefits,especiallytheclean,sweetsmell.Thishasbeenamajordifference.Whenyouhavepets–Ihaveadogandtwocats–youcancleanobsessivelycleanandstillnotgetridofthatmusty“close”smell.Notanymore.Sincehavingthenewsystem,Icanwalkinthehouseandbreatheinwithoutholdingmynose.That’sthankstotheERVwhichcontinuallycirculatesfreshair.

ThesystemisalsosoquietthatIhavetomakeanefforttolistenwhetherit’srunningornot,andbothheatandACareevenlydistributedoverallthreefloors–nomorefreezinginthebasementandswelteringonthesecondfloor.

Formoreinformationvisit:projectfutureproof.com

AIRMAXAIRHANDLERREPLACESFURNACE

ERVREMOVESPETODORSANDFLOMAXPROVIDESSPACEANDHOTWATERHEATING

ALEXNEWMANISAWRITER,EDITORANDRESEARCHERAT

WWW.INTEGRITYCOMMUNICATIONS.CA

rHVCAResidential Heating Ventilation

Contractors Association

rhvca.com | [email protected] | 905-264-9967

heartThe

of your

home

Don’t leave the health of your home’s

most valuable asset to chance. Trust only

a RHVCA member to design, install and

service your heating, cooling and ventilation

system. Our members represent the

highest standards of training, certification,

and expertise in the HVAC industry.

16

Garden Homes ALWAYS BETTER THAN CODE

BY TRACY HANES

Inazio Giardina is a builder who takes pride in being an innovator in the industry.

Giardina’s company Garden Homes has been well ahead of the energy efficiency curve when it comes to whatever project it is building, whether it’s custom houses, subdivision homes or commercial buildings.

GardenHomeswasattheforefrontofEnergyStarhomebuildinginNewmarketandin2009,wasthefirstbuilderinOntariotomeettheGreenBuilderChallengeissuedbytheSustainableHousingFoundationbyconstructingahousethatexceededtheenergysavingsgoalintheprovince’sBuildingCodeofthetimeby50percent.Giardinarecognizedthatateameffortwasneededtoachievethatgoalandallofhisstaffandtradesparticipatedintrainingsessionsthatexploredthemostcost-effectivewaystobuildhealthy,energyefficienthomes.

Whenthat2,695-square-foothomeonBobScottCourtinNewmarketwaslaunched,incorporatingfeaturessuchasin-floorbasementheating,Roxulinsulation,adrainwaterheatrecoveryPowerPipe,andanintegratedHVACsystemwithsolarhotwaterpreheatthatsupplieddomestichotwaterandspaceheating,Giardinanoted:“IthinkwearenowoneofthemostadvancedgreenbuildersinOntario.”

WhatGiardinarealizedthen,andcontinuestobelievein,isthemeritoffutureproofingandbuildinghomesthatwillprovideownerswithsavingsnotonlyinthepresentbutwillyieldevengreatersavingsinthefutureasenergypricesincrease.


FEATURE STORY

R30EXTERIORWALLSBPEXCELSHEATHINGUSEDWITH2X8WALLSTUDS.2LAYERSOFROXULR14INCAVITY

18

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our hardworking trades who have all made their own unique contribution to our success.We couldn’t do it without you!

Building Products of Canada

City of Richmond Hill

Clearsphere

CMP Electric

Copperhead Mechanical

Custom Aluminum

De Luca Plumbing

Dero Building Designs

Enbridge

Greyter Systems

Henry

Home Lumber

Kingswood Heating

Landsview Landscaping

Lomco Landscape Contractors

Maxum Drywall

Renewability Energy

Roxul Canada Inc.

vanEE / Air Solutions

Veissmann Canada

THANK-YOU!

GardenHomescontinuestobeontheleadingedge.Giardina'sownrecentlycompletedluxurystorey-and-a-halfhomeinRichmondHillmakeshimoneofthefirstbuildersinthatmunicipalitytoadoptabetterthanCode(EnerGuide80)approachsincethenewbuildingcodewasintroducedin2012.Hisown3,100-square-footLEEDSilverhomehasincorporatedseveralleadingedgetechnologiesthatwillserveasareal-worldexperimenttoseewhichoneswillofferthebestvalueandyieldthemostenergyefficiencyforthehomeshewillbuildforhiscustomers.

“Thisisn’tthefirsthousetoexceedtheCodesincethe2012Codewasintroducedthatwe’vehad,butit’sthemostextremeexample,”saysMikeJanotta,managerofplansreviewandcompliancefortheTownofRichmondHill.BuildersintownareencouragedtobuildaboveCodeandcanchoosewhatevermeanstheywanttodothat,butGiardinahastakenittoawholenewlevel.

“Heinvitedustocomeseehishomeandsomeofusfromthetownwenttohavealookatit,”saysJanotta.“It’sextreme,extremeenergyefficiencyandIthinkhisheatingandcoolingbillswillberidiculouslylow.”Janottasaysthehome’scomplexheatingandcoolingsystemislikelynotfinanciallyfeasibleformostsubdivisionbuilderstoincorporateandmightnotbeeasyfortheaveragehomeownertounderstandandoperateatthispoint.

GiardinaisusingtheHERSscaletomeasurethehome’sperformance,whichisascalethatcanbeeasilyunderstoodbyconsumers.

Forthebuildingenvelope,GiardiniausedBPHighPerformanceSheathingontheexteriorofthehouse,manufacturedbyBuildingProductsofCanadaCorp.Thehighperformancesheathingisa½’’thick,waximpregnatedwoodfiberpanel,whichformsanexteriorairbarriersystem.CasaBellaEnergyStarwindowswereusedaswell.

Thehomeisbuiltwith2by8wallstudsandRoxulmineralwoolinsulation,madeofacombinationofstoneandrecycledslag.Itwasusedtoprovidesuperiorinsulationvalue.ThewallsareR28insteadofthetypicalR22.Four-inchfoamwassprayedinthehomeaswelltoprovideexcellentairsealing.

Thehomeusesastate-ofthe-artViessmanngas-firedcondensingboilertosupplyspaceheatingthroughtheradiantin-floorsystemanddomestichotwater.HeatisrecoveredbyavanEEexhaustductedenergyrecoveryventilator(ERV)withECMmotor.ThehomealsoincorporatesaCarrierInfinityfurnace.

Thein-floorradiantsystemwasusedonthemainfloorandinthebasementfloorstoprovidecomfortandwarmth,aswellasonoutdoorporchestomelticeandsnow.TheboilerisintegratedwithaViessmansolarhotwatercollectorandlargesteelstoragetanksinGiardina’sbasementstorethesolarpre-heatedwateruntilit’sneeded.

RADIANTHEATINGFORTHEBASEMENTFLOOR

INTEGRATEDSPACEANDSOLARHOTWATERHEATINGSYSTEMBYVIESSMANN

BASEMENTWALLDETAIL2"OFROXULISANDR14BATTS

19

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our hardworking trades who have all made their own unique contribution to our success.We couldn’t do it without you!

Building Products of Canada

City of Richmond Hill

Clearsphere

CMP Electric

Copperhead Mechanical

Custom Aluminum

De Luca Plumbing

Dero Building Designs

Enbridge

Greyter Systems

Henry

Home Lumber

Kingswood Heating

Landsview Landscaping

Lomco Landscape Contractors

Maxum Drywall

Renewability Energy

Roxul Canada Inc.

vanEE / Air Solutions

Veissmann Canada

THANK-YOU!

FEATURE STORY

20

“It’sfantastic,”saysGiardinioftheViessmannsystem.“I’vebarelyusedanygasthissummer.Mylastbillwas$50.”

Aheatpump,thatalsoworksasanairconditioningunit,keepsthehomecoolinsummer.

AnotherproducthelpingtosaveenergyinthehomeisthePowerPipe,adrainwaterheatrecoverydevicecreatedbyKitchener’sRenewAbilityEnergyInc.,willcapturetheheatfromdiscardeddrainwaterthenrecycleittoraisethetemperatureofincomingcoldwater.ThePowerPipe,usingmultiplecoppercoilswrappedinparallelaroundadrainpipetomaximizeheattransfer,reduceshomeenergyconsumptionby6to10percent.It’szero-maintenance,cost-effectiveandsimpletoinstall.

InMarch,OntarioofficiallybecamethefirstjurisdictioninNorthAmericatoprovidedirectenergycreditsforDrainWaterHeatRecovery(DWHR)technologywithintheOBC,followingFrance,theUnitedKingdomandtheNetherlands.

ThehomealsoincorporatesgreywaterrecyclingfromOntariocompanyGreyterthatfilterswastewaterfromshowering,bathingandlaundryandreusesthetreatedgreywatertoflushthehome’stoilets.Thesystemcansaveupto40percentofthewaterusedbytheaveragefamily,thusreducingtheirwaterbillsandconservingwater,whichwillbecomeincreasinglyimportantinthenearfuture.Thesystemissimpletooperate,lowmaintenanceandiscosteffectiveandeasytoinstall.

GiardinialsoindulgedinaLutronLEDprogrammablehouselightingsystemthatheacknowledgesisabitofasplurge.“Itwillhavebighydrosavings,butit’shardtorecoverthepaybackonit,”hesays.

AsabuilderwhohasalwaysstrivedtobuildbetterthanCode,GiardinisaysittooknothingtomaketheleapfromEnerGuide80toLEEDSilverrequirements.He’llalsobewellaheadofthecurveforthe2017BuildingCode,whichwillrequire15percentmoreenergysavingsthanthecurrentone.

SomeoftheproductsGiardiniusedinhisownhousewillbeincorporatedintotheotherhomeshebuilds.Some,liketheBPsheathing,maybecomestandardfeatureswhileotherswillbeofferedtohomebuyersasupgrades.

TRACYHANESISAFREELANCEFEATUREWRITERFORTHELARGESTDAILYNEWSPAPERINCANADAANDSEVERALMAGAZINES.

WWW.TRACYHANES.CA

Air. Vapour. Water. Ice Nothing gets past Henry.

®

Air and Vapour Barrier

Waterproofing Roofing

Protecting properties – and reputations – for decades

Henry’s Building Envelope Systems®

provide industry-leading protection

from uncontrolled air, vapour and

moisture, from foundation to roof.

Proven effective in the challenging

winters of Canada, our air and

vapour barriers, waterproofing and

roofing products protect properties

from the elements to save energy,

prevent damage, extend building life,

and create more comfortable and

healthy indoor environments.

BlueskinVP®

This fully adhered membrane functions not only as a water-resistant barrier and rain barrier, but stops uncontrolled air leakage.

performance

longevity

Blueskin®WBSeal out air and moisture, and seal in energy and comfort with this self-adhered window and door flashing.

infiltration and water damage

Blueskin®WP200The first choice in sheet applied waterproofing, this self-adhered waterproofing membrane is designed for prepared concrete or masonry substrates, providing a waterproofing barrier for below grade use.

lateral water movement

increased protection at overlaps

www.henrycom

Blueskin® ROOF RF200/RF200LTA self-adhered ice and water barrier, specially designed for sloped roof surfaces to provide a secondary seal under shingles or tiles.

temperature underlayment

polyethylene film

fasteners

Eaveguard Self-Adhered Shingle Underlayment

helps prevent leaks from wind-driven rain and ice damming.

asphalt and glass fiber mat

slip-resistant working surface

for ease of application

"Builders in town are encouraged to build above Code and can choose whatever means they want to do that, but Giardina has taken it to a whole new level."


Air. Vapour. Water. Ice Nothing gets past Henry.

®

Air and Vapour Barrier

Waterproofing Roofing

Protecting properties – and reputations – for decades

Henry’s Building Envelope Systems®

provide industry-leading protection

from uncontrolled air, vapour and

moisture, from foundation to roof.

Proven effective in the challenging

winters of Canada, our air and

vapour barriers, waterproofing and

roofing products protect properties

from the elements to save energy,

prevent damage, extend building life,

and create more comfortable and

healthy indoor environments.

BlueskinVP®

This fully adhered membrane functions not only as a water-resistant barrier and rain barrier, but stops uncontrolled air leakage.

performance

longevity

Blueskin®WBSeal out air and moisture, and seal in energy and comfort with this self-adhered window and door flashing.

infiltration and water damage

Blueskin®WP200The first choice in sheet applied waterproofing, this self-adhered waterproofing membrane is designed for prepared concrete or masonry substrates, providing a waterproofing barrier for below grade use.

lateral water movement

increased protection at overlaps

www.henrycom

Blueskin® ROOF RF200/RF200LTA self-adhered ice and water barrier, specially designed for sloped roof surfaces to provide a secondary seal under shingles or tiles.

temperature underlayment

polyethylene film

fasteners

Eaveguard Self-Adhered Shingle Underlayment

helps prevent leaks from wind-driven rain and ice damming.

asphalt and glass fiber mat

slip-resistant working surface

for ease of application

BUILDER NEWS

22

Fivehomebuildersacrossfourprovinceswillbuildatleast25NetZeroEnergy(NZE)homesinthenextthreeyearsaspartofthefederalgovernment’secoENERGYInnovationInitiative(ecoEII)withOwensCorningCanadaLPastheproponentandbuildABILITYCorporationastheprojectmanager.TheprojectfocusesonaffordabilityandmarketacceptabilityofNetZeroEnergyhousinginaproductionhousingcontext.TodateinCanadatherehavebeenveryfewdemonstrationsofNZEhousingonacommunityscalethataremarket-readyforproductionbuilderadoption.

Improvingenergyefficiencyinbuildingscontinuestobethebuildingindustry’sapproachtoreducecarbonemissions.However,relyingonenergyefficiencyalonewillnotaddresstheincreasingdemandforenergyinthefuture.

TheNZECommunitywillinvolvetheadoptionofnewdesignstrategiesthatblendadvancedconstructiontechniques,advancedmechanicals,andmarket-readyrenewablesatahouseandcommunityscale.

TheideaofaNetZeroEnergy(NZE)homeisthatitemploysenhancedenergyefficiencydesignstrategiestocosteffectivelyreduceenergyneeds,whilemeetingthoseneedswithrenewableenergytechnologies,withtheresultthatthebuildingconsumesequaltoorlessenergythanitproducesonanannualbasis.

ThisprojectisalignedwithecoEII’sgoalsofsearchingforlong-termsolutionstohelpeliminateairpollutantsandgreenhousegasemissionsfromenergyproduction.ThisprojectbuildsontheNRCanfundedLEEP/TAP(LocalEnergyEfficiencyPartnerships/TechnologyAdoptionPilot)projecttodemonstratethenexthousingplatformincommunitiesacrossthecountry.

NZEhomescontinuetobestuckinaresearchanddevelopmentphaseandpilotdemonstrations,withlittlefocusontheuniquechallengesthatthehousingplatformpresentsfortheproductionbuilder.Toachievewideacceptanceandindustryadoption,acommunity-sizeddemonstrationbyproductionbuildersiscriticallyimportant.

ThisprojectisthelargestNZECommunitydemonstrationinCanadatodate.OwensCorningCanadaisworkingwith

Canada’s Largest Net Zero Low-Rise Residential Demonstration Project

PRESENTATIONS:ALEXFERGUSON,CANMETENERGYNATURALRESOURCESCANADAPRESENTINGNETZERO

AFFORDABILITYRESEARCH

M I C H A E L L I O

TRAINING:BUILDERSANDCONSULTANTSATTENDEDA2014R-2000TECHNICALTRAININGSESSIONATOWENSCORNING

CANADA’STORONTOPLANT


BUILDER NEWS

23

5homebuildersacrossthecountry.Thefivebuildersare:ConstructionVoyer(Laval,Quebec);MattamyHomesLimited(Calgary,Alberta);MintoCommunities(Ottawa,Ontario);ProvidentDevelopmentInc.(Halifax,NovaScotia);andReid’sHeritageHomes(Guelph,Ontario).

Technicaldesign,planningandtrainingprocessesfortheprojectarealreadyinprogress.ANationalDesignCharrettewasheldinMarch2013,whichhadCanada’sleadinghousingandnetzeroexpertsmeetingfortwodaystodiscussthepathtonetzerohousingandnetzerocommunities,andthebarriersthatexist.Thecharrettewasfocusedontwostrategies:conservationandadvancedrenewabletechnologies.Thefirstandprimarystrategyfocussedonenergyconservationbymaximizingtheenvelopeandairtightnesslevels,andexploringcomplementaryhighperformancemechanicalsystems.Thesecondstrategyfocussedonexploringmarket-readyrenewablestechnologies,includingphotovoltaicpanels,solarthermal,groundsourceheatpumps,andairsourceheatpumps.

TheNZEhomestobebuiltinthefivecommunitieswillusethenewEnerGuideRatingSystemforNewHomestomeasureenergyuseandinmanycasesthenewR-2000requirementsasthejumpingoffpointtoachievenetzero.2014R-2000buildertrainingandCodeBord®AirBarrierSystemtrainingwasprovidedtoallfivebuilderalliancestopreparethemforthedesignphase.

AnupcomingNationalImplementationCharretteintheFallof2013willhelppreparethebuildersfortheconstructionphase.Constructionofthehomesisexpectedtobecompletedby2016.

Fundingfortheprojectisbeingprovidedbythefederalgovernment’secoENERGYInnovationInitiative(ecoEII)program,OwensCorningCanada,andin-kindcontributionsfromthebuildingindustry.

Formoreinformationontheproject,pleaseemailCandiceLuck,[email protected].

MICHAELLIOISPRESIDENTOFBUILDABILITYCORPORATION,[email protected]

BUILDER NEWS

24

Site Specific AsRenewabilityEnergy’sseniortechnicaladvisor,GaryBotelhospendsalotoftimeattendingdesigncharrettes.Hisrolethereistohelpeducatebuildersanddesignersinthewaystheycanachieveenergycreditsontheirdesigns.He’salsotheretoshowthemonelowhangingfruit–drainwaterheatrecovery(DWHR).

Thisisn’tsuchastretchfromhiseducationandearliercareerininternettechnology(IT),ifyouconsider/wherehehelpedseniormanagementatNortelunderstandtheever-changingtechnologytheyworkedwith.

AndconsideringthatBotelhoworkedsummersthroughouthighschoolanduniversityalongsidehisfatherontheEmpireCommunitiesconstructionsite,andlearnedthetrades.Soseveralyearsago,aftertakingaseverancepackageduringoneofNortel’sdownsizingmoves,hisfathercalledaskingifBotelhocouldfillinforalabourerhadwalkedoffthejob.

ItwasafortuitousmovethatlaunchedthenextcareerphaseforBotelho,becauseEmpirewasgettingreadytotransformallitslowriseprojectsfromEnerguidetoEnergyStar.CEOPaulGoliniJraskedBotelhotoprephomesforindependentthirdpartytestingonthesite.That’salsowhenBotelhometJohnGodden[clearsphere.ca]whoaskedhimifhewasinterestedinrunningtheprogramforEmpire.

Botelhosaysthechallengelayinthedisconnectbetweenadministrationandconstructionsite.“ManybuildersweremakingthecommitmenttoEnergyStarattheadministrativelevel,butimplementingitonsitewasadifferentmatter.That’swhyEmpirecreatedthisenergyspecialistroleforme.”

Hewouldreviewthecompany’sgoalsandexpectationsforachievingEnergyStar,andthenwriteprocedurestoensuresmoothimplementation.“Itwashardfortradestoacceptwhatwewereaskingforbecausefor35yearsconstructioncrewshadbeenbuildingthesameway.”

Andinitially,therewas“pushback.EnergyStarwasn’tsomethingmostpeopleunderstood.Andbecauseasub-contractorisessentiallyself-employed,theyfearedthatmakingsuchchangeswouldeatuptoomuchtime,whichwouldtranslateintolosingmoney.”

Botelhosaysthatdevelopinggoodrelationshipsbetweenbuilderandsubcontractorsultimatelymadethedifference:“Weexplainedhowthesetargetswhichwerevoluntarynowwouldbecomecodewithinafewyearsandthatthey

wouldputthemselvesaheadofthecurveiftheylearnedthemnow.Essentially,itwouldhelpthemstandoutinthefield.”

Soforthenextsixandahalfyears,BotelhowalkedeveryhousethatEmpireCommunitiesbuiltanaverageoffourtofivetimes--pre-envelopeinspectionandpreliminaryairtestingallthewaytoconstruction.“Empireknewthatinspectingonacontinuousbasiswouldcatchanymistakesbeforetheygotreallycostlytofix.”

ItsoonbecamecleartoEmpirethateducatingthetradeswasonlyhalftheequation–educatingconsumerswasequallyimportant.Homeworksessions,ledbyBotelho,wouldtakenewlysigned-upbuyersthroughtheprocessofhowtooperatethedifferentenergyefficientproductsbeingoffered.

AndoneoftheproductsbeingusedtoachieveEnergyStarratingcreditswasthedrainwaterheatrecoverysystem–acopperpowerpipe--insertedintothestack–thatwithdrawsheatfromwastewateroutofshowersandsinks,andpre-heatsincomingwatertothehotwatertank.

“Empirewasoneofthefirstbuilderstoincorporatethisinalltheirhomes,”Botelhosays.“Itwasoneofthoselowhangingfruits,awin-winforachievingcredits--easyandinexpensivetoinstallandsoeffortlessinreducingenergyconsumption.”

AsEmpiresoughtgreaterenergyefficiencyforitsnewhomes–winningEnerqualitychampionawardthreeyearsinarow--Botelhowasmovedintoamanagementroleoverseeingproductquality.Buthemissedthefieldwork,

visitingsitestoimprovetheenergyqualityineachhome.“Ilovedthebuildingsciencepartofit,andmissedthat,”hesays.

SowhenRenewabilityInc,themanufacturerofthedrainwaterheatrecoverypipe,approachedhimabouttakingontheroleofhelpingbuildersnavigatethemanychangesinthelandscapeofconstructionacrossCanada,heknewitwasagoodfitforhim.

Aboutthesametimethatthecodewasundergoingsignificantchangesrelatedtoenergyconsumption,therewerechangesafootinlanduseaswell,especiallythroughouttheGTA.TheGreenBelthadbeenlegislated,eliminatinghugetractsoflandfromthedevelopmentpool.

“Theresultwasincreasingcompetitionforavailableland,”saysBotelho.“Thatputmunicipalitiesinapositiontodemandadditionalthingsofdevelopers.Inanefforttocompete,builderswerehavingtogoonebetterandpromiseEnergyStar,whichis25%betterthancode.”

AlthoughRenewabilityrealizedtheopportunitiestomarketitsdrainwaterheatrecoverypipe,thecompanywentaboveandbeyondwhatwasrequiredinsendingBotelhoouttoeducatebuildersaboutthewholescopeofEnergyStar.

Now,afterafewmonthswithRenewability,BotelhoisworkingondevelopingpackagesthatbuilderscanoptforasanalternativecompliancetothesupplementarystandardSB-12,whichchangedtheenergyperformancerequirementsforbuildingsofthe2006OntarioBuildingCode.

Botelho’srolehasbeentoinstructbuildersinpotentialtrade-offswithinSB-12thatareallowedwhentheyinstallDWHR,andtoinformthemofhowDWHRcanhelpthemachievingtherequiredEnerGuiderating.BuilderscanalsochooseanequivalenttotheEnerguidepackagethroughEnbridge’ssavingsbydesignprogram(www.savingsbydesign.ca).

ThisadvisoryrolehasledBotelhotobecomepartofvariouscommitteessuchastheFederalEnergyStarcommitteeforbuilders,theEnergyStarBuilderOptionPackageworkinggroup(Ontario),andEnerQuality/OHBAtechnicaladvisorycommittee.

A L E X N E W M A N

GARYBOTELHO-ESNHCHAMPIONOFTHEYEARWITHSHANONBERTUZZI



ISSUE 07 | FALL 2013 25

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visitingsitestoimprovetheenergyqualityineachhome.“Ilovedthebuildingsciencepartofit,andmissedthat,”hesays.

SowhenRenewabilityInc,themanufacturerofthedrainwaterheatrecoverypipe,approachedhimabouttakingontheroleofhelpingbuildersnavigatethemanychangesinthelandscapeofconstructionacrossCanada,heknewitwasagoodfitforhim.

Aboutthesametimethatthecodewasundergoingsignificantchangesrelatedtoenergyconsumption,therewerechangesafootinlanduseaswell,especiallythroughouttheGTA.TheGreenBelthadbeenlegislated,eliminatinghugetractsoflandfromthedevelopmentpool.

“Theresultwasincreasingcompetitionforavailableland,”saysBotelho.“Thatputmunicipalitiesinapositiontodemandadditionalthingsofdevelopers.Inanefforttocompete,builderswerehavingtogoonebetterandpromiseEnergyStar,whichis25%betterthancode.”

AlthoughRenewabilityrealizedtheopportunitiestomarketitsdrainwaterheatrecoverypipe,thecompanywentaboveandbeyondwhatwasrequiredinsendingBotelhoouttoeducatebuildersaboutthewholescopeofEnergyStar.

Now,afterafewmonthswithRenewability,BotelhoisworkingondevelopingpackagesthatbuilderscanoptforasanalternativecompliancetothesupplementarystandardSB-12,whichchangedtheenergyperformancerequirementsforbuildingsofthe2006OntarioBuildingCode.

Botelho’srolehasbeentoinstructbuildersinpotentialtrade-offswithinSB-12thatareallowedwhentheyinstallDWHR,andtoinformthemofhowDWHRcanhelpthemachievingtherequiredEnerGuiderating.BuilderscanalsochooseanequivalenttotheEnerguidepackagethroughEnbridge’ssavingsbydesignprogram(www.savingsbydesign.ca).

ThisadvisoryrolehasledBotelhotobecomepartofvariouscommitteessuchastheFederalEnergyStarcommitteeforbuilders,theEnergyStarBuilderOptionPackageworkinggroup(Ontario),andEnerQuality/OHBAtechnicaladvisorycommittee.

BUILDER NEWS



BUILDER NEWS

Amvic Building System:INSULATION SOULUTIONS FROM THE FOUNDATION TO THE EAVESAmvicBuildingSystemwasstartedin1998byVictorAmendPh.D.BuildingScience.Victor'sgoalwastodesignindustryleadingandinnovativeExpandedPolystyrene(EPS)insulationproductsforthebuildingenvelop.Theseproductsprovideenergyefficiencyandcomforttothebuildingandhomeownersandeaseofinstallationandcosteffectiveinsulationsolutionsforthebuildingcontractors.ThefirstproductVictordesignedwastheAmvicInsulatingConcreteBlockorICF,whilenotanewconcepttotheNorthAmericanmarket;hediddesignaformthatwasstronger,withlessconstructionwasteandeasiertoinstalltakingtheICFindustryinanewdirection.Thecompany–headquarteredinTorontoCanadahasgrownintoanindustryleaderinthisfieldwith5plantsintheUS,severalaroundtheglobeofferingICFblockproductnationallyinboththeUSandCanada.

AlongwithcuttingedgeICF,nowonthethirdgenerationdesignofferinganR30AmvicPlusICFblock,thecompanyevolvedintoproducinganewinnovativeEPSinsulationBoardcalledSilveRboard,offeringacosteffectiveenergyefficientsolutiontothetraditionalhomeandbuildingmarket.

Victor'sbuildingsciencebackgroundhasallowedhimtodesignandproduceindustryleadingEPSInsulationproductswhichdovetailsperfectlywithrisingenergycosts,risingRvaluecoderequirements,andanoverwhelmingdesirebytheaveragehomeownertoconserveenergywhilestillbeingabletomaintainacomfortablelivingenvironment.

InsulationanditsimportanceinEnergyConservationtotheindividualhomeowner,hasneverbeenasimportantasitistoday.In2012BuildingCodesacrossNorthAmericasawsweepingchangestomanybuildinginsulationrequirements.Theseincludeincreasesinwall,ceiling,ongradebasementslab,(nowamandatoryR10insulationrequirement),andrecentcodechangesrequiringfullheightbasementwallinsulation.

Amvic,hascontinuedtointroduceenergyefficientandinnovativeproductstotheNorthAmericanmarkettheseproductsincludeSilveRboard®XSExteriorsheathingInsulationBoard,Amdry®InsulatedWallandFloorpanelsandAmvicinsulatedradiantPEXpanels.

H O WA R D C O H E N

26

BUILDER NEWS


SilveRboard®RigidFoamInsulationisahighperformanceflat-sheetinsulationmaterialmadefromExpandedPolystyrene(EPS)whichislaminatedtoalayerofmetallizedPP/reflectivefilmonbothfaces.ThishighlyeffectivecombinationofmaterialsoffersahigherR-valueperinchcomparedtotraditionalflat-sheetEPSinsulation(tocompetedirectlywithR5perinchXPSfoamboards),aswellasprovidesbuilt-inmoistureandairbarrierproperties.

SilveRboard®RigidFoamInsulation(EPS)offersbuildersahigherperformanceproductwhichalsoincreasesjobsiteefficiencyandreduceslaborcosts.

CorrectlyinstalledSilveRboard®helpscontributetoafullthermalbuildingenvelope(reducingheatlossfromwithinthehomeinwinter,andreducingHeat-Gaininsummer),whenbuildingresidentialorsmallcommercialbuildings,SB35XS-R5WallSheathingandSB35UC-R10Under-Slabbasementpadinsulationboardsarewithoutequal:

SILVERBOARD® XS –“ BREATHABLE” INSULATED EXTERIOR WALL – SHEATHING SilveRboard®XSWallSheathinghasbeenspecificallyengineeredforexteriorwallinsulationapplicationonwoodorsteelframeconstruction.ThereflectivelaminatedsurfacesofSilveRboard®XSaremicroperforatedinorderthattheSilveRboard®XSexteriorwallsheathinginsulationmaterialscan“breath”allowingtrappedmoisturewithinthewallcavitytoevaporatenaturally.SBXShasawatervaporpermeanceratingof3.48permsor217ng/Pa.s.m2andanairpermeance(systemleakage)of0.0105L/s.m2at75Pa.SilveRboard®XSphysicalcharacteristicsarewithinthenationallyacceptedBuildingCodeguidelinesforairandvaporpermeanceinexteriorwallsheathingmembranes,makingitunnecessaryforfurtherapplicationofahousewrap.SilveRboard®XSisahighperformance(jobsitetough),highqualityandeconomicalinsulationmaterialforexteriorwallsheathinginstallations.

SILVERBOARD® SB35 – UC

SilveRboard®SB35UChasbeenspecificallydesignedforonorbelowgrade(underslabandFrostWall)insulationapplications,providingunparalleledFlexuralStrengthandjobsitetoughness(84Psi)andloadCompression(35Psi).

Thereflectivelaminatedsurfacesfilmonbothfacesoftheboardprovideacontinualvaporbarrier(4.27perm),whilenotonlyprotectingthefoamcorefrommoisture,butalsoaddingrigidityandsurfacedamageprotectionwhilebeingwalkedon,ordrivenover,withworkbootsbarrows.SincetheNEWSB12residentialbuildingcodenowmandatesthatallconcreteslabscontainingradiantheatpipingmusthaveaminimumofR10insulationundertheslab–OurSB35–UCnotonlymeetscode,butalsoprovides,vapor,radiantandradonbarriersallinoneexceptionalproduct.

AMDRY® INSULATED PANELS (FLOOR & WALL ) AmdryInsulatedSubfloorisaone-stepinsulatedpanelsystemwithanintegralmoistureresistantprotectivesurfacefilm.Itprovidesahealthy,comfortable,warmbasementfloorbysignificantlyreducingslabsurfacemoistureandtemperaturefluctuationsthatmayleadtomoldandmildewproblems.

WhereshouldIuseit?

• Workshops

• GarageFloors

• ExerciseRooms

More Energy Efficient

• ThecombinationofAmvic’sHighqualityEPSfoaminsulationlaminatedto19/32”OSBedgegroovedsurfaceboardoffersatrulysuperiorinsulatedflooringsurface.

• AvailableinR7,R9andR11;AmdryInsulatedsubfloorpanelsofferthemostenergyefficientsubfloorpanelonthemarkettodaytomeeteventhemostdemandingcoldweatherinstallations.

1

• HomeTheaters

• PlayRooms

• Storeandplantofficeretrofits

BUILDER NEWS

28

• Amdryprovidesacontinualthermalbreakacrosstheentireconcretepadsurface

Drier , More Energy Efficient Basement Environment

• Acombinationofdeepdrainageandventilationsurfacechannelsbondedtoamoisture,mildewandmoldresistantprotectivefilmlayerallowsAmdry®toprovidecontinuousairflowovertheexistingconcreteslab,promotingmoistureevaporation,keepingyourbasementdrier,limitingoreliminatingthesurfacemoistureontheslabwhichleadstomoldandmildewinthistypeoffloorassembly.

Saves Time and Money

• Amdrypanelsareinstalledquicklyandeasily.Proprietaryconnectors,largerpanelsand50%lessjointsmakeitaninstallersdream.

• 24"x48"Amdrypanelseachprovideafull8sq.ft.surfacecoverage,Amdrypanelsrequire40%lessinstallationtimeandlabourthancompetitiveproducts,whileAmdry’slargerpanelareaalsobetteraccommodateirregularitiesandminorslopesoftenfoundonbasementfloors,reducingoreliminatingtheneedforshimsand/orspacers.

• Amdry’suniqueflexibleconnectorsystemallowspanelstoeffortlesslylocktogether,withouttheneedfornailsorglue,significantlyspeedinguptheinstallationsprocess.

• TheAmdryconnectorsareinsertedintotheedgegroovesofeachpanelanduseaflexiblebarbfastenertoallowforeasyinsertionandyetprovideunparalleledlongtermholdingpower.Thesystemisengineeredtoprovideasecure,tightconnectionforyearstocome.

• Theseuniqueconnectorseliminatealltheissuescommonlyassociatedwithwoodentongue-and-groovejoints:squeakingfloors,broken,damagedorchippedtonguesandgrooves,oftendamagedbefore,duringorafterinstallation.Thehollowcoreoftheconnectorallowsforexpansionoftheentirefloorassembly.Thisbuilt-incompressionjointvirtuallyeliminatesanychanceofbucklingorheavingofthefloorsurfaceduetohumidityexpansion.

Formoreinformation,pleasevisitwww.amvicsystem.com.

3

ALSO AVAILABLE

IN R9 & R11

Introducing Amdry, the only insulated

channels.

Connecter System2

HOWARDCOHEN,DIVERSIFIEDINSULATIONPRODUCTSMANAGER,AMVIC

29

BUILDER NEWS


ALEXNEWMANISAWRITER,EDITORANDRESEARCHERATWWW.INTEGRITYCOMMUNICATIONS.CA

ALSO AVAILABLE

IN R9 & R11

Introducing Amdry, the only insulated

channels.

Connecter System

The Importance of Attic VentilationVentilationisarequirementoftheCanadianBuildingCodeofCanada(section9.19).Ventilationisalsoacriteriarequiredbyshinglemanufacturesinordertorespecttheirwarranty.Thetwofundamentalbenefitsofaneffectiveatticventilationsystemare:acooleratticinsummerandadryeratticinwinter.Bothofthesebenefitsresultinenergysavings,greaterhomeownercomfortandhigherintegrityofthedwelling.

Therearetwotypesofventilationsystems.Thefirstisthepassiveventilator.Passiveventilatorsarelowprofileventslikeridgevents,mushroomvents,orevenagooseneckventilatorforflatroofs.Theydonotallowforairexchangebutmerelylettheairevaporateout.

Thealternativetothepassiveventilatoristhestaticventilator.ThisventilatorisaturbineventilatororaMaximumVentilator.Thesebothreplacetheatticair.Theybothfunctionwiththecombinationofwindandpressuredifferential,creatingachimneyeffect,replacingtheatticair.Withonlyafour-mi/hrwind,theMaximumVentilatorisreplacingtheatticairofanaveragesizehomeof1200sq.ft,atarateof418cfm.,thusanaverageofeverytwentyminutes!(Itwouldtaketwo14inchorthree12inchturbinestoreplaceonemodel301).

Formoreinformationpleasesee:http://ventilation-maximum.com

B E T T E R B U I L D E R S TA F F

BUILDER NEWS

30

BP Excel breaks new ground

in structural insulation

thanks to a membrane that

combines air barrier protec-

tion, moisture-evacuating

breathability, and strength

like no other product.

And it’s green — made from

98% recycled materials, free

of VOCs and ozone-depleting

CFCs or HCFCs, and glued

together with wheat starch.

For homebuilders looking

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Excel is innovative green

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WELCOME TO STRUCTURAL INSULATION REINVENTED FOR TODAY’S WORLD — AND A SUSTAINABLE TOMORROW.

MADE HERE PREFERRED EVERYWHERE

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Excel_Ad_BetterBuilder_v2.indd 1 12-12-12 16:02

The Optimum Basement WallInpreviousarticlesIhavediscussedourjourneytowardsabetterperforming,moreforgivingbasementwall.Overthepastyearwe'vemadesomesignificantadjustmentstoimprovetheoverallperformanceanddurability.IthoughtIwouldsharesomeofthelessonslearnedoverthelastyear.

Torecap,wehavedealtwithmoisturewickingandwithsignificantaspectsoflongterminwardboundvapourdiffusion(moreonthislater).WeareusingtheCosellaDorkenDeltaFootingBarrierforacapillarybreakbetweenthefootingandthefoundationwall,acoldjointcaulkingforbulkwatermovementbetweenthetwo,sprayedtaronthefoundationwallbelowgradetopreventwickingfromthesoiltothewallandtheDeltaMembranetokeepbulkwaterawayfromthewall.OntheinsidewehaveusedtheROXULComfortboardISalongwithastudwallwithROXULR14battinsulationtocreateahealthy,comfortablebasementspacethatourcustomershavecometoexpect,alongwithusingproductsthatweknowtobemoistureandmouldresistant.

However,wehavestillhadsomelingeringperformanceissues,particularlyaroundpotentialsmellissuesiftheinsulationgetswetandtheproblemofinwardboundvapourdiffusionduringthewarmermonths(vapour/wateronthepoly)especiallywithfoundationwallsthathaveasignificantamountofconcreteabovethesoil.

Inthecaseofsmelltheculpritappearstobeairflowbetweenthehomeandmoistinsulation.

OurnewwalldetailinstalledtheROXULComfortboardfromthetopofthefootingtotheundersideofthefloorjoist.Thisisinstalledpriortothebasementfloorbeingpoured.TheROXULthenactsasadrainagepathforanycondensingwatervapour.Theothersignificantchangeisthatourheaderwrapnowcomesovertopofthestudwallandconnectstothepolyvapourbarriertocreateacontinuousairbarrier.Thetheory

beingthatnoairmovementmeansnosmell.Havingmovedourstandardwalldetailtohavethepolybecomepartoftheairbarriersystemseemstohaveeliminatedthispotentialproblemquiteeffectively.

Forthecondensationonthepoly,wehavetwopotentialmoisturesources,remainingmoistureintheconcretewallthatisstilldryingandinwardboundvapourdiffusionontheabovegradewallthatisaffectedbyhumidityanddirectsunlight.Tosolvethisproblemwearereplacingthetop30"of6milpolywithabreathablemembranefromCertainteed.TheSmartMembranewillallowthevapourtopassfromtheinsulatedwallintothehome,inturnallowingthebasementinsulatedwalltodry.Dr.JohnStraubandArronGrinfromBuildingScienceCorporationdidsomeperformancemodelingonthewallthatlooksverypromising.

WecompletedthisinstallationintheDiscoveryHomewearebuildinginSt.Thomas,aspartofourcommitmenttoUnionGasandtheOptimumHomeProgram,whichsupportsbuildersintheirjourneytobuildhighperformancehomesthatare20%abovecurrent2012OntarioBuildingCode.Wearealsoconductingayearlongstudyonthedry-abilityofthisnewwallsysteminconjunctionwithBuildingKnowledge,ROXULandGeorgeBrownCollege.

D O U G TA R RY

BUILDER NEWS

BP Excel breaks new ground

in structural insulation

thanks to a membrane that

combines air barrier protec-

tion, moisture-evacuating

breathability, and strength

like no other product.

And it’s green — made from

98% recycled materials, free

of VOCs and ozone-depleting

CFCs or HCFCs, and glued

together with wheat starch.

For homebuilders looking

for innovation and value

on an exponential scale:

Excel is innovative green

design, exceptional thermal

insulation and structural

strength all in one breathable

sheathing that delivers

outstanding performance

with unparalleled strength.

www.bpcan.com

WELCOME TO STRUCTURAL INSULATION REINVENTED FOR TODAY’S WORLD — AND A SUSTAINABLE TOMORROW.

MADE HERE PREFERRED EVERYWHERE

NEW!

Excel_Ad_BetterBuilder_v2.indd 1 12-12-12 16:02

BUILDER NEWS

32

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Theissuewithusingthesmartpolyisacodecomplianceone.TheCCMCapprovalonthesmartpolysaysthatithastobecoveredwithdrywallwithin7daystoavoidbreakdownfromexposuretoultravioletlight.Inourcasewewanttousetheproductinunfinishedbasementswherecustomersareactuallyseeingthevapourcondensationandcallingtocomplainabouttheproblem.Interestinglyenough,duringtheJulyheatwave,thishomemanagedtogetthroughwithoutanysignificantvapourcondensation,despitenothavingHVACandgoingthroughdrywallandpainting.Sopreliminaryresultsappearveryfavourable.Itisourhopethatthisstudywillallowforacomplianceoptionthatbuilderscanusetoimprovetheperformanceoftheirbasementwalls.

IwouldliketoextendmythankstoourformerChiefBuildingOfficialLeonBachforpermittingustousethisproductintheDiscoveryHome,basedonthelimitedamountofUVexposureinthebasementandofthelocalChiefBuildingOfficialswhohavebeensupportiveofourexperimentswiththisnewwallsystem,specificallyLeonBach,BradSmaleandDanielDale.Theirsupporthaspermittedmetogobackandretrofitthedetailintoseveralexistinghomeswherewewerehavingcondensationproblems.Iwasamazedathowquicklytheadditionofthesmartpolyresolvedthevapourcondensation.MycustomersarehappyandIfeelgoodaboutgivingthemabetterwall.

DOUGTARRYJR.,ISTHEDIRECTOROFMARKETINGATDOUGTARRYHOMESINST.THOMAS,ONTARIO.


BUILDER NEWS

33

]

Solar ReadyIt’sfittingthatthiseditionisdedicatedtofutureproofing.ThisisaconceptthatIhavebeendiscussinganddesigningintomyhomesformanyyears.Why?Be-causeIbelievethatrisingenergycostsoverthenextgenerationwillcontinuetomakeenergyefficiencyagreaterpriorityforourconsumers.Asanindustry,wecontinuetobuildevermoreenergyefficienthomes.However,thereisonemajorchallengethatweface:ourcustomers!

Don’tgetmewrong,IamgratefulforallofmycustomersandIhopetobuildformanymore.It’sjustthattoday’sconsumerismuchmoredemandingthanevenafewyearsago.TheywantlongershowerswithmultipleshowerheadsjustliketheyseeontheTVshows;theywanttheirhometobeuniformlycoolallsummer,evenwiththatbigbankofwindowsfacingthesun.Theexpecta-tionofperformanceisthattheirutilitybillwillgodown,oratleastnotchange,eventhoughtheycontinuetousetheirpersonalcarwash(that’swhatIcallthefullbodywashshower)andrunthatACrightthroughtheday.

Atsomepointinourcustomers’futuretheirthoughtswillchangefromconserva-tiontogeneration.That’swherefutureproofingcomesin.SoIthoughtI’dsharemyinsightsonSolarReady,theultimatefutureproofingforthehomeswebuild.

In2007,DougTarryHomeswascontractedbyNaturalResourcesCanadatoconducttheSolarReadypilotproject.ThisincludedwritingthefirstSolarReadytechnicalspecifications.Since2007,wehavecontinuedtobuildallofourhomeswithSolarReadydesignasastandardfeature.Inthattimewehavealsoinstalledseveralsolarthermalwaterheatingsystems.InOctober2012,NRCanpublishedtherevisedSolarReadySpecifica-tions.

Sohere’sthegoodnews.SolarReadyisfairlyeasyandinexpensivetoincludeinahomeprovidedyouputsomethoughtintoitduringthedesignprocess.OK,sotwostoreyhomescanbeabitharderbecauseofthepopularityofopenconceptmainfloorsevenontwostoreyhomes.Ithasbeenourexperiencethatitcostsanadditional$350-$450perhomefortheSolarReadyroughin.

SO WHAT IS A SOLAR READY HOME?Therearetwokeycomponents.First,spaceontheroofataviablesolarangle,andsecond,aconduitfrommechanicalroomtoaccessibleatticspace.RooforientationforsolarinstallationsisconsideredviablefromSoutheastaroundtoWestforsolarthermalsystems.SouthismostefficientforPhotoVoltaicsystems.Herearesomeimportantpointstoremember:

• Thesolarconduitneedstorunfromthemechanicalroomtotheattic.Iprefertoinstalltwo–2”conduits,ratherthanone4”.Ifyoueverhavetobendtheconduitslightly,thereisnogiveinthe4”.Alsothe4”requiresa2x6wallwhichmaynotbeotherwisenecessaryforthehome.

• Itisimportanttoavoidplumbingormechanicalrunsinthededicatedlocationoftheconduit,oritmaybealmostimpossibletofindlateron.Whateverconduittypeyouchoose,itisimportantthattheybecappedatboththetopandbottom,otherwiseyoucanhaveacondensationloopintoyouratticaswellasafirechase.Idon’ttrusttapeasthegluewilldiminishovertime.

• Locationofthefuturesolarhotwatertankshouldbeshownonthebasementplansothattheappropriateamountofspaceisavailable.Itisalsogoodpracticetoshowtheroofelevationthatthepanelsareintendedtobeinstalledon,so

• Itisnotarequirement,butitisarecommendedbestpracticethatthetrussesintendedtocarrythesolarpanelsbedesignedandbuiltwithanadditional5lb.deadloadtoaccountfortheadditionalweight.

• Installationofpanelsshouldnotbedirectlyintothetopchordofthetruss.Ratheritisbetterpracticetoattachscablumbertothesideofthetopchordandattachintothescab.

• TheexistingDomesticHotWaterHeaterneedstohaveplumbingvalvesand“T”sinstalledandanelectricaloutletneedstobelocatedbesidetheunit.Thisistopermitquickconnectionatthetimeofinstallation.

ROX2410 Roxul 8.125"x10.75" 03/07/12

ComfortBoard IS Print Ad (Better Builder: Full Page) July 12-12 C KM Y Artist/Studio AD/CD AE /AD Proofreader

ROX2410_ComfortBoard IS_FP_Print Ad_BB.indd RS OTHER: __________

123 St.George Street, Suite 105 � London ON, Canada � N6A 3A1 � t:519.672.9090 � f:519.672.6080 � www.surge.ca

Fire Resistant

WaterRepellent

SoundAbsorbent

SavesEnergy

Madefrom Stone

RecycledContent

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HIG

H R

ECYCLED CON

TENT

*Contact us for details.

HIG

H R

ECYCLED CON

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E C Y C L A B L E*

Achieving an R-20 Basement Wall “IS” Easy with Roxul ComfortBoard™ IS. ■ Prevent Thermal Bridging: Installing ComfortBoard™ IS against the foundation wall

before you frame the studs provides for a continual layer of thermal protection.

■ Non Combustible: Provides for combined thermal and fi re-resistant properties.

■ High Recycled Content: Made from natural stone and up to 93% recycled material.

INTERIOR BASEMENT WALL APPLICATION BY ROXUL®

www.roxul.comComfortBoard™ IS is a trademark of Roxul Inc. GREENGUARD® is a registered trademark of Greenguard Environmental Institute.ROX-2410_0712

BUILDER NEWS

34

PAGE TITLE

Features

To learn more, visit www.savingsbydesign.ca

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Helping builders design and build more energy ef� cient homes.

New building codes require new approaches to housing

design and energy performance. Enbridge’s Savings

by Design program is here to help. The program offers

free access to design and technical experts, as well

as valuable incentives to help design and build more

energy ef� cient homes.

Using our unique and collaborative Integrated Design

Process (IDP), we will work with you to identify optimal

solutions for improving energy ef� ciency 25% beyond

Ontario Building Code 2012.

EAQ1130_AugustBetterBuilder_Ad_9X11.5_final.indd 1 2013-07-08 2:16 PM