Better Builder Magazine, Issue 18 / Summer 2016

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IN THIS ISSUEDesigning HVAC SystemsSmall is BeautifulHome is Where the Heart IsRenewABILITY Celebrates 15 YearsHomes of Tomorrow, Today

ISSUE 18 | SUMMER 2016

TheMechanical Issue

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

BETTERBUILDER.CA | ISSUE 18 | SUMMER 2016

4

1

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

2HVAC Systems –

Small is Beautiful

by John Godden

THE BADA TEST

3Home is Where the Heart Is

by Lou Bada

INDUSTRY NEWS

4RenewABILITY

Celebrates 15 Years

by Alex Newman

10Zoning HVAC Systems

by Brian Jackson

INDUSTRY EXPERT

7Advanced ERVs

by Gord Cooke

INDUSTRY EXPERT

12Misguided Municipal

Regulation of the

Home Building Industry

by Michael Lio

BUILDER NEWS

14Cross Border Challenge

Winners

by Patricia Duffy

28John Godden Receives LIV

Communities Vision Award

by Better Builder Staff

SITE SPECIFIC

24David Fisher: Designing

HVAC Systems That

Meet Builders’ Needs

by Alex Newman

FROM THE GROUND UP

30Imagine the Homes of

Tomorrow, Today

by Doug Tarry

FEATURE STORY

16Tower of Power

Tridel and Tower Labs are on the cutting edge of creating systems designed

to reduce the carbon footprint of high-rise residential buildings.

by Rob Blackstien

14

16

30

ISSUE 18 | SUMMER 2016

On our cover: HVAC design © vchal.

Images internally supplied unless otherwise credited.


The book, Small is Beautiful: A study of economics as if people

mattered by EF Schumacher has a relevant title to home builders.

If we build homes with people as the focus, those homes need to

be efficient, affordable, durable and comfortable. Energy performance

standards in the Building Code have increased, resulting in smaller

energy loads in newly constructed homes. If smaller loads are not

factored into HVAC design, the unintended consequence is heating

and cooling systems that don’t run long enough at lower outputs which

creates discomfort for homeowners and complaints for builders.

Ambient air temperature is measured by a thermostat that simply

measures the average air temperature in a space. Mean Radiant

Temperature (MRT) is a better metric for describing effective

distribution of heat. Comfort in our homes is determined by radiant

heat loss or heat gain from the human body to the surrounding

surfaces. Radiant losses or gains are not determined by air

temperature. A central thermostat with remote sensors measuring

MRT would enable systems to run at lower outputs longer, in turn

affecting surface temperatures.

In new homes, single stage furnaces are often too large; we

always need to heat hot water. The SB-12 2012 reference house has

a heating load of 33MBtu/hr. Under package A1 of 2017 SB-12 the

heating load is 28MBtu/hr. It seems logical to integrate space and

domestic hot water heating into one unit. One gas appliance – a

condensing hot water heater with a fan coil – easily and comfortably

heats a large single-family home. One appliance with a single set of

vents and gas line will reduce builders’ installation costs.

The key to efficiency and comfort in a home is proper mechanical

design. Our article on Dave Fisher of Martino HVAC explores how

Dave works with builders to install right-sized systems. As furnace

sizes shrink, air conditioning becomes a challenge. Zoning is an

approach that provides affordable comfort. A walk-through of the

math in Brian Jackson’s article proves that zoning is not as expensive

as one would think.

Conventional HVAC design in high-rise buildings employs

huge make-up air units. Massive amounts of energy are required

to preheat supply air for common areas and corridors. This issue

features an article on Tridel’s innovation manager, Subhi Alsayed,,

who developed an integrated fan coil and ERV system for individual

condos that eliminates these large wasteful make-up air systems.

Proving the old adage that good things come in small packages,

Doug Tarry of Doug Tarry Homes shows us the house of tomorrow

with a small but beautiful right-sized furnace. This system is coupled

with an air source heat pump and small distribution ducts. BB

HVAC Systems – Small is Beautiful

PUBLISHERBetter Builder Magazine 63 Blair Street Toronto ON M4B 3N5 416-481-4218 | fax 416-481-4695 [email protected]

Better Builder Magazine is a sponsor of

PUBLISHING EDITORJohn B. Godden

MANAGING EDITORWendy Shami [email protected]

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

FEATURE WRITERSTracy Hanes, Alex Newman

PROOFREADINGKaren Hoffman

CREATIVEWallflower Design www.wallflowerdesign.com

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 NUMBER42408014

Copyright by Better Builder Magazine. Contents may not be reprinted or reproduced without written permission. The opinions expressed herein are exclusively those of the authors and assumed to be original work. Better Builder

Magazine cannot be held liable for any damage as a result of publishing such works.

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMERAll company and/or product names may be trade names, trademarks and/or registered trademarks of the respective owners with which they are associated.

UNDELIVERABLE MAILBetter Builder Magazine 63 Blair Street Toronto ON M4B 3N5

Better Builder Magazine is published four times a year.

publisher’snote / JOHN GODDEN

John Godden

Alex Newman

Gord Cooke

Michael Lio

Lou Bada

Doug Tarry

CONTRIBUTORS

BETTERBUILDER.CA | ISSUE 18 | SUMMER 2016 3

The new Ontario Building Code

SB-12 for 2017 and the drive for

energy efficiency are forcing us to

look more closely at the mechanical

systems that we install in new

homes. Tighter building envelopes

and greater insulation levels present

challenges when designing with

conventional mechanical systems

that are typically over-sized. A

new built-form with smaller house

footprints and multiple, back-to-

back and/or stacked townhomes

necessitate manufacturers, designers

and builders to re-think and innovate.

These new built-forms are relatively

new to our industry, which used to

build predominately detached homes

or sufficiently wide semi-detached

houses or townhomes.

These new built-forms with lim-

ited exterior wall space for metering,

gas-piping and venting appliances,

for HRV intake and exhaust vents

(that will be mandated by SB-12),

and for the installation of air

conditioning condensing units are

challenging to build and design. The

use of combination heating systems

presents a possible solution to some

of these challenges by combining two

appliances into one. There is one less

vent and one less intake to consider

when installing a combo-system.

Combined water and space

heating entail the use of a dual-

purpose water heater that feeds both

the domestic hot water system and

a forced-air fan coil (either high or

low velocity) for heating. Although

this technology is not entirely new,

it is a change from our conventional

forced-air furnaces. Builders in the

mass market are just beginning to

explore and gain experience with

combination systems. Systems can

use a water heater that is “tankless”

(though they often require a small

storage tank, oddly enough), or it

can be a condensing hot water tank.

Many condensing tank water heaters

require only a single vent, are a

simpler installation and are a great

help when dealing with limited space.

Tankless heaters usually require

two vents (intake and exhaust) and

are more restrictive in their venting

requirements and installation, but

there can be a place for them under

the right conditions. New products are

being developed constantly.

Early iterations, 10 to 15 years ago,

of some tankless systems were hailed

as the Holy Grail of water heating, but

failed miserably after a few years. One

of the condensing tank water heaters

had problems as well. Consumers,

TARION and some builders were left to

pick up the pieces. As an industry, we

need to be cautious about moving too

quickly so that we avoid unintended

consequences. Consumers don’t want

us experimenting with their homes’

heating systems. We need tried-and-

true systems that are bullet-proof, cost

effective, scalable and repeatable.

The production home building

industry is still finding its feet with

this technology. We need flexibility

and choice to address the myriad

challenges presented by new

regulations. SB-12 for 2017, as proposed

so far, recognizes one prescriptive

pathway for combination systems and

correctly offers builders the possibility

of using tankless or condensing water

heaters. ENERGY STAR, however,

mandates tankless systems that meet

the CSA-P.9-11 performance standard

for combination water heating

systems. The process for certification

has been difficult, time consuming

and expensive for manufacturers.

Forcing builders to use only

tankless water heaters, whether or not

they are the best solution for the host of

challenges that we face, is not the best

approach. Additionally, adding more

layers of regulation is not always the

answer to complex problems. Builders

should use tankless or condensing

water heaters where they work best.

Builders will find a way to make the

new and denser built-form work.

Sometimes, one method or product

will be more effective than another.

Talk to your builder to understand the

process behind deciding what’s best

for the heart of your home. Because if

it doesn’t work properly, we all have to

deal with the heartache. BB

Lou Bada is an executive with the Starlane

Home Corporation in Vaughan as well as

a member of RESCON’s technical council.

Home is Where the Heart Is

thebadatest / LOU BADA

I have always had a sentimental reaction to the expression “home is where the

heart is.” It often guides my approach to my work and my work/life balance.

But, to me, the “heart” of a home is its mechanical systems. As you can see,

I am quite the romantic. Let’s face it: mechanical systems are the heart, lungs

and circulatory system of a home. These systems are vital.


It’s one of the cheapest and easiest

means of energy conservation, says

the company’s VP of Operations,

Jonathan Cook. “You’re extracting

heat from warm water that is just

going down the drain anyway.”

Now, 15 years later, RenewABILITY

is the only facility in Ontario to

produce wastewater recovery units.

Two other companies in Canada – one

in Saskatchewan and one in Quebec

– also produce them, but without the

unique patented copper pipe that

RenewABILITY uses.

How it worksThe Power-Pipe® is a straightforward

design. Made entirely of copper, it is

wrapped with four to eight or more

coils, depending on the requirements

of the design application. Mounted

on the Power-Pipe® is a mini manifold

header that takes incoming water flow

and divides it among the wrapped

copper tubes. The Power-Pipe® itself

replaces a straight vertical section of

the home’s main drainage stack.

Heat energy is extracted in a fairly

simple way. When water from the

shower or dishwasher goes down the

drain, it clings to the inside walls of

the copper pipe. Since copper is an

efficient thermal conductor, as soon

as warm water touches the inside wall

of the pipe, heat energy transfers to

the copper tubing wrapped around

the outside of the Power-Pipe® which

then warms up the incoming water.

When it enters the water heater, less

energy is required to heat it up. The

Power-Pipe® is known as a double

wall vented heat exchanger because

incoming water doesn’t come into

contact with outgoing drain water

(two copper tubing walls separate

them) eliminating any chance of cross

contamination.

The Power-Pipe® also saves a fair bit

of money, says Cook. RenewABILITY’s

calculations show savings up to 35%

on water heating costs and up to 10% of

the total energy bill. An added benefit

is the heat transfer to the surrounding

air when warm water runs through

the copper pipe. Cook points out there

is no need to upsize the water heater,

“even with a household of teenagers all

clamouring for a hot shower.”

RenewABILITY Celebrates 15 Years

industrynews / ALE X NE WMAN

Gerald Van Decker has always had a thing for energy efficiency and, after

getting his degree in mechanical engineering, worked as a consultant and

distributor for unique and specialized energy-conserving products.

One of those products happened to be a first generation heat exchanger – not

nearly as efficient as today’s but nonetheless filling a void in the market that

wasn’t being addressed. That’s why Van Decker got involved in drain water heat

recovery – and started his company, RenewABILITY Energy Inc. – in 2000.

Gerald Van Decker celebrates 15 years of energy efficiency.


In addition to energy conservation,

RenewABILITY does its part for sus-

tainability of the local economy. Their

copper pipe and spools of copper

tubing are purchased from Great

Lakes Copper in London, ON, the only

copper mill still operating in Canada.

RenewABILITY is a local employer

as well. At their site in Kitchener,

the milled pipe is cut to a length

determined by special orders from the

builder, or from the stores that carry

it, like Sears or Home Depot. Once the

pipe is cut, specialized equipment

tightly wraps and forms the copper

tubing around the outside, and a

process of brazing attaches it tightly

to the pipe so it doesn’t uncoil.

Who buys it?Cook has found that typical buyers

range from the “DIY home handyman

to the largest builders in Canada and

the US. There are the people who

are looking for every opportunity to

reduce consumption, who are into

net zero and passive homes, green

roofs, to the simple householders who

look at their gas and water bill and

say, ‘This is crazy. We have to reduce.’

There are custom homebuilders,

building a handful of high quality

homes a year. There’s the smaller

builder looking for savings on code

credits, or striving for HERS credits.”

RenewABILITY’s

calculations show

savings up to 35% on

water heating costs

and up to 10% of the

total energy bill.

Jonathan Cook shows how each Power-Pipe® is pressure tested.


Displaying the copper DWHR pipes

at home shows and selling at stores

like Sears and Home Depot means the

general public is more exposed to this

technology and becoming more aware

of its benefits. “People see it at a home

show, then they see it online when they

browse Sears or Home Depot while

they’re looking at tankless hot water

systems, or at an RO system.”

The public is becoming increasingly

aware of these relatively easy,

inexpensive energy savers, and in its

15 years, RenewABILITY has seen the

market expand exponentially – they

now ship to France, UK, Sweden, and

Mexico. “There’s just so much more

market awareness, particularly as

the awareness of reducing energy

consumption is pushed to the

forefront, in the news, and politics,”

says Cook.

He sees no let-up, either. Manitoba

recently became the first North

American jurisdiction to make heat

water recovery mandatory in new

home and multi-level construction.

In California, HERS is the more

accepted standard of rating a home’s

energy efficiency and drain water heat

recovery is part of the energy credit

system. BB

Alex Newman is a writer, editor and

researcher at www.alexnewmanwriter.com.

Great Lakes Copper in London supplies copper produced locally.

Manitoba recently

became the first North

American jurisdiction

to make heat water

recovery mandatory in

new home and multi-

level construction.


Somewhat surprisingly, the sensi-

ble recovery efficiencies listed in the

prescriptive packages placed the gas

heating options in a range of 65% -

81%, quite a jump. This can present

a challenge for manufacturers who

have been working over the last 25

years or so to make ever smaller, more

cost effective, reliable and easy-to-

install products.

I look back fondly to the early

days of HRVs. In 1986, VanEE had just

introduced the double core 2000Plus

HRV. The unit had an amazing

efficiency of over 80%, but it was

over 52" long and 20" deep. The thing

was a monster with great thermal

efficiency but less efficient fan motors.

Nonetheless, my home unit (pictured

here) lasted over 23 years with just

one fan motor and one damper motor

change. It still looks pretty good. This

represents a proud moment in Cana-

dian manufacturing – HRVs and ERVs

have now become an important element

in houses throughout North America.

However, it is time again to focus

on overall energy performance. While

attending the Canadian Mechanical

Exposition last month, I was very

pleased to see the unveiling of the

newest VanEE and Venmar high

efficiency series of products. The

VanEE Gold Series features four new

models – two HRVs and two ERVs – that

are set to exceed the performance

attributes of the Passive House certi-

fied products coming out of Europe.

Here are a few highlights:

• Sensible Recovery Efficiency (SRE)

at 0ºC and 30 L/s (64 CFM) for the

most efficient model is 84%

• Total Recovery Efficiency at 35ºC

and 30 L/s (64 CFM) (latent and

sensible combined) is an amazing

68%

• Perhaps most importantly, the

fan efficacy of the ERV above is 2.9

CFM/watt and the other models

have fan efficacies of over 3.5 CFM/

watt – about three times better

than the ENERGY STAR HRV fan

requirements, even better than the

requirements for an ENERGY STAR

qualified bathroom fan.

That said, the size has increased.

The new unit is not quite the

monster that my old 2000Plus was,

but dimensions of 32"w x 20"d x 31"h

may take some planning in tight

mechanical rooms.

Out of curiosity, I checked the

efficiency gains of these new high-

performance models against a more

normal ENERGY STAR qualified HRV at

65% SRE. In high-performance homes,

such as Net Zero Ready or Net Zero

Homes, the compelling metric is a

comparison of costs and savings to the

equivalent requirements of PV solar

panels to make up the energy used.

Using both HOT 2000 and REMRate to

determine what difference the new Gold

Series would make, I found that though

the results were similar for both, the

HOT 2000 has a little better algorithm

in a Canadian context because it can

capture the latent effects of an ERV.

I compared an ENERGY STAR

qualified HRV with a Sensible Recovery

7

AdvancedEnergy Recovery Ventilators

industryexpert / GORD COOKE

Last month, the draft of the Ontario Building Code Supplementary Standard

SB-12 Energy Efficiency requirements for January 2017 was released. It was

no surprise that all of the prescriptive packages require a heat recovery

ventilator (HRV) or an energy recovery ventilator (ERV). That means that those

builders (and their energy evaluators) who don’t want to put in HRVs/ERVs will

have to find some other compelling energy upgrade to replace the efficiency

benefits of an HRV under one of the performance path options.

Original High Efficiency HRV circa 1986.


Efficiency (SRE) of 65% and a fan

efficacy of 1.2 CFM/watt to the new

Gold Series ERV, 84% SRE and 2.9

CFM/watt in a four-bedroom (75 CFM)

near Zero Energy home in Toronto.

The total annual energy consump-

tion was 820 kilowatt-hours per year

less with the high performance ERV

in this home. The improvement came

from three important differences:

the improvement in sensible recovery

efficiency, the reduced fan power

consumption of the ECM fan motor,

and the improved cooling (latent

and sensible) performance due to the

ERV core.

At current installation costs of

$3.00 to $3.50 per installed watt

capacity of PV panels, and knowing

that in Toronto a 1000 W array capacity

generates about 1200 kWh per year

of electricity, the new Gold Series

would be the equivalent of avoiding

the installation of 680 watts of PV

capacity or approximately $2,000

worth of solar panels. This would more

than pay for the incremental cost of

the new Gold Series product. Add to

the conversation the increased high-

speed airflow capacity of the unit, the

lower noise levels and better moisture

control of the ERV core, and we see a

nice progression beyond the simple

requirement for HRVs and ERVs that

will be in effect next January.

There are lots of encouraging things

happening in mechanical systems

for new homes and the continual

improvement of HRV and ERV offerings

is worth consideration to recalibrate

your thinking regarding the best

systems for your homes. BB

Gord Cooke is president of Building

Knowledge Canada.

VE

NM

AR

VE

NT

ILA

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vanee.ca

All these products meet ENERGY STAR’s higher standards

For more information or to order, contact your local distributor.

vänEE 100H vänEE 200HvänEE 60H vänEE 60H-V+ vänEE 90H-V ECMvänEE 40H+vänEE 90H-V+ vänEE 60H+ vänEE 50H1001 HRVvänEE Gold Series

2001 HRVvänEE Gold Series

vänEE air exchangers: improved line-up meets ENERGY STAR® standardsSuperior Energy EfficiencyIdeal for LEED homes and new building codes5-year warranty*

FRESH AIR JUST GOT GREENER

*ON MOST MODELS.

Next generation HRVs are more compact and efficient.


PANASONIC HAS THE

RIGHT PRODUCTS TO BUILD THE

RIGHT HOME

go.panasonic.ca/build

Learn more about Panasonic’s Partnership Program for rebates, co-branding and value added programs for your buyers and employees


industrynews / BR IAN JACKSON

Historically, HVAC design pro-

fessionals calculated their heat gain/

loss scenarios based on peak demand,

and provided oversized, single-point

control mechanical systems to satisfy

the overstated heating and cooling

requirements. These systems are

neither cost efficient to operate nor

do a good job at providing occupant

comfort.

Recently, the industry has started

to adopt the notion of “right sizing

systems” for heating and cooling

equipment that more realistically

reflects actual load demand.

Part of the process of sizing equip-

ment properly is zoning or isolating

specific areas of the building for

“time of greatest need” conditioning.

This is not a new concept and has been

deployed for specialized applications

on premium housing types, but it

has remained largely absent from the

volume housing market. The concept

involves sending heated or cooled air

to where it is needed in the home. For

instance, if the second floor is cold in

the winter but the ground floor is mod-

er ate, the hot air is sent to the second

floor and the ground floor is left alone.

To adapt this methodology, a

designer can utilize a factory-designed

zoned system, a field-fabricated zoned

system, or, at the very least, design the

air distribution system as zone ready

to allow the home owner to upgrade to

zoned equipment at a later date.

The zoning of the HVAC system has

two tangible positive results from a

conservation perspective: a reduction

in energy usage and a substantial

reduction in peak demand of the

structure or subdivision (Fig.1).

From a comfort point of view,

a zoned system aligns the indoor

conditions with the ASHRAE ideal

comfort zone, a zone that is ideal for

optimal comfort (Fig.2).

Aside from the savings and comfort

benefit, any progressive builder

promoting the application of zoned

systems has an additional marketing

tool to differentiate themselves from

the less innovative status quo.

A local manufacturer, Airmax

Technologies, has advanced their

zoned product offering to the point

that the prime air handling unit ships

to the job site pre-configured and

wired for zone installation in both

two- and three-zone models. The basic

system is configured as high velocity to

suit a vertical method of construction

and is available as CSA P.9-11 certified.

The only field work is the split ducting

ZoningHVAC Systems

Residential home builders are being inundated with a great deal of informa-

tion about energy efficiency and how to make a home that is typically better

than Code. However, an important aspect of any home design is human

comfort. Providing proper humidity, temperature, and air filtration are essential

for a satisfied customer. Many of the so-called conservation methods have a

reasonable payback, while others do not. Zoned systems have a solid payback.

Source: Natural Resources Canada / CanmetENERGY

*based on 2,180 SF of finished area (incl. basement); and 2.7 occupants per household

Fig.1 ZONED HVAC – HOM EOWNER ENERGY BENEFITS Fig.2 ZONED HVAC – HOM EOWNER COMFORT BENEFITS


for the zones and separate thermostat wires for each zone.

In our very competitive market where system cost is

so important, a system that appears to carry a premium

price tag might be quickly dismissed. However, a recent

comparison done for an HVAC designer yielded the

following results:

To drop from a Max 100e (62,741 BTUH @ 140ºF water)

to a Max 70e (58,902 BTUH @ 160ºF water) resulted in a

$135 savings.

There is $315 difference between the Max 70e (1 zone)

and the upgraded Max 70e P2 (2 zones).

These are approximate wholesaler costs.

Further savings were realized from the condensing

unit cost as well. The designer was comfortable dropping

2,000 BTUH to the smaller condensing unit because of

the zoned unit.

3 ton $1,138

2.5 ton $960

Again, costs to the contractor.

A further $25 can be saved using a smaller evaporator

coil. An additional thermostat for two zones costs $15.

The design number of diffusers for a Max 100e is 22

outlets, and 19 outlets for a Max 70e P2. Net savings on

material for three outlets at $40/outlet equals $120.

Therefore, $315-($135+($1,138-$960)+$25-$15+$120) =

$128/suite capital material cost savings for zoning.

Additional costs include separate main duct runs

for the third- and fourth-floor walk out, and main and

basement levels. This equates to six pieces of eight-inch

snap lock, elbows, and labour to install.

Specifics of the building, an end-unit townhouse with

three floors plus a fourth-floor rooftop terrace, were a

heat loss of 58,000 BTUH and a heat gain of 32,000 BTUH.

The building was designed as high velocity.

Not using zoning in homes over 1,000 square feet

doesn’t make sense, nor does it where the building is

oriented or constructed in such a way that results in non-

uniform heat gain/losses.

For more information, visit the NRCan website at

www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/efficiency/housing/leep/

case-studies/17346 to review the latest publication on

zoned systems, Zoning Decision

Guide for Builders. BB

Brian Jackson, P.Eng. is a professional

engineer specializing in equipment and

systems design.

11

Roof truss and woodsill connection.

Simpson Strong TieMGT system shown

Drywall screwedinto amvicpolypropylene webs as per building code

Electricaloutlet

Wood sub-floorinstalled as perlocal building

Simpson strong tieICFLC and wood floorjoists connection

Amvic insulatingconcrete forms

Amdeck floor &roof system

Exterior woodsiding installed

as per localbuilding code

Amvic highimpact

polypropylenewebs

Acrylic,standard

ptucco or eifsapplied to

exterior faceof Amvic ICF

Brick veneer

Parge face ofexposed

brick ledge

Grade

Peel-and-stickwaterproofingmembrane (or

equivalent)as per local

building code

Perforatedweeping tile

INSULATEDCONCRETE FORMS

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:

AMVIC.COM


industryexpert / M ICHAEL L IO

The regulation of new construc-

tion is complex and justifiably so.

The many systems in a building

are interrelated and changes to one

system often impact others. The

introduction of new materials and

components often requires time

for builders to field test and debug

performance to prevent what could be

disastrous consequences. As a general

rule, building Codes follow rather

than lead in establishing minimum

requirements for buildings.

Code changes are often first

adopted at the national level within

the model National Building Code.

The Canadian Commission for

Building and Fire Codes oversees a

national process that includes many

standing committees, task groups,

and working groups to carefully

examine and research each and

every proposed amendment to the

Code. Code changes which pass

this intense technical scrutiny are

released for public examination and

comment. Stakeholders from across

the country examine each change and

provide comment and guidance. Each

comment is carefully examined and

revisions are made accordingly. Each

Code change then becomes available

to the provincial regulator to consider

within its jurisdiction. Provinces

conduct their own technical and

public review before finally adopting

a change within the provincial Code.

Changes to building standards are not

taken lightly.

Consider, on the other hand,

municipal councils with paper-

thin expertise enacting municipal

regulation which could mandate

Net Zero buildings or residential

sprinklers, for example. What technical

review, life cycle analysis, or public

consultation has the municipality

conducted to support its regulation?

How many public comments or

revisions from stakeholder groups has

the municipality gathered?

There is nothing wrong with

municipalities encouraging builders

to voluntarily improve building

performance. There is nothing wrong

if they choose to share the benefits

from reduced infrastructure costs

with those same builders as part of the

encouragement. There is plenty wrong

if they force the industry to build to:

1) standards that exceed those in the

Code;

2) standards that impose components

and practices that are new and

untested; and,

3) standards that risk building defects

and occupant discomfort.

Municipalities who have regulated

ENERGY STAR levels of performance

should take particular heed. The 2017

version of ENERGY STAR will likely

demand equipment and practices

which can deliver a 35% improvement

in energy efficiency compared to the

current Code. The 2017 ENERGY STAR

will impose practices which have

not had a long history of field testing.

Builders would need a number of

years to try the new practices and

perfect their construction in advance

of any regulation. Municipalities who

force builders to venture out into this

uncharted territory put builders and

their buyers at risk.

ENERGY STAR was devised as a

Code leading voluntary program

Misguided Municipal Regulation of the Home Building Industry

Municipalities in Canada are creatures of statute. Generally, and unless

they are specifically permitted otherwise, municipalities cannot pass

legislation that infringes on areas regulated by the province or the federal

government. For example, a municipality would not be able to regulate criminal

law which is within the federal government’s jurisdiction.

Recently within Ontario, a number of municipalities have regulated building

standards which are part of the Building Code Act – provincial legislation. Aside

from crossing over into provincial jurisdiction, these municipal regulations may,

in the near future, force builders to adopt building systems that have not been

fully field tested and which could result in defects and homeowner complaints.

Builders would need

a number of years to

try the new practices

and perfect their con-

struction in advance

of any regulation.


that could be used by builders to

differentiate themselves. It was

intended to field test near-Code-ready

energy efficiency techniques and

components. Its founding principles

never contemplated municipal

governments thoughtlessly referencing

it in municipal regulation and forcing

builders to build what they may not be

ready to build.

Climate change action is com-

mendable. Encouraging improved

housing performance is admirable.

Thoughtless municipal regulation is

not in anyone’s best interest. BB

Michael Lio is president of buildABILITY

Corporation. [email protected]

13

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energy-efficient home building in the

US and Canada that we decided to

make the program an annual RESNET-

CRESNET event.”

With over 1,000 conference partici-

pants in attendance at the opening

plenary, John Godden, President of

CRESNET, Steve Baden, President of

RESNET, and the award sponsors, Paul

Duffy of Icynene and Rod Buchalter

of RenewABILITY, presented the

special President’s Awards. The 2016

RESNET President’s Award was issued

buildernews / PATRIC IA DUFF Y

The second annual friendly

competition between American

and Canadian builders to see

who can build the most energy-

efficient homes was once again

presented to a full audience at

the 2016 RESNET Conference in

Scottsdale, Arizona last March. Steve

Baden, Executive Director of RESNET,

noted that “the 2015 Cross Border

Home Builder Challenge has been

such a huge success in promoting

the utilization of the HERS Index and

to KB Home and the 2016 CRESNET

President’s Award was awarded to

Rosehaven Homes. The winners of

the CRESNET and RESNET President’s

Awards each won an insulation

package from Icynene. Products

included Icynene Classic Max and

Classic Plus low density spray foams

and Icynene ProSeal and ProSeal Eco,

medium density spray foams.

Later that same day, there was a

workshop presentation of the other six

winners in the following categories:

Cross Border Challenge Winners Announced at RESNET Conference

Paul Duffy, CRESNET president, John Godden, Fred Vallozzi and Anthony Martelli, LIV Communities.

John Godden presents the award to Anthony Martelli, Chief Operating Officer, LIV Communities.


• Lowest HERS score American

Production Builder – Brookfield

Residential, Colorado with a HERS

Index of 32

• Lowest HERS score American

Custom Builder – Greenhill

Contracting, New York with a

HERS Index of 25

• Lowest HERS score Canadian

Production Builder – LIV

Communities, Ontario with a

HERS Index of 26

• Lowest HERS score Canadian

Custom Builder – Seaman & Sons,

Ontario with a HERS Index of 9

• American Net Zero Award winner

– Greenhill Contracting, New York

with a HERS Index of -5

• Canadian Net Zero Award winner –

Denim Homes, Nova Scotia with a

HERS Index of -3

Each winner in all lowest HERS

Index scores categories received a

free Power-Pipe® Drain Water Heat

Recovery System. American and

Canadian builders in attendance at the

workshop had fun comparing notes

over a few Canadian beers! All in all,

the 2016 RESNET Conference was a

very successful competition and event

in Arizona. BB

Patricia Duffy is

Executive Director

of CRESNET and

the Sustainable

Housing Foundation.

15

Cross Border Challenge Winners Announced at RESNET Conference

Nick Sanci and Joe Laronga with the 2016 CRESNET President’s Award for Rosehaven Homes.

Award-winning Canadian custom builder Derek Seaman with his son and Gord Cooke.

Net Zero Award winner Caleb Howden, Denim Homes with Gillian Delaney.

18 BETTERBUILDER.CA | ISSUE 18 | SUMMER 2016

Tower of Power


As Tridel’s Innovation Manager

and Projects Director at Tower Labs,

Subhi Alsayed is at the centre of the

company’s drive to be on the cutting

edge of developing difference-making

technology such as its integrated

Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV)

and fan coil system that is now

dominating the Ontario market.

So what exactly does an innovation

manager do?

“It encompasses doing things better

than the way they’re currently done,

and doing things differently with

the goal of always maintaining your

leadership position in the industry

and (gaining) a competitive advantage

strategically over everybody else,”

says Alsayed, a mechanical engineer

who also earned his MBA this year,

giving him a technical and business

background.

A decade ago, Tridel made the

decision to go green and only build

LEED-certified buildings that were

highly energy efficient. This began

with Alsayed and his team dissecting

the various building systems to

identify which consumed the most

energy.

Their research revealed that the

ventilation system was one of the

Tower of Powerfeaturestory / ROB BL ACKSTIEN

Tridel and Tower Labs are on the cutting edge of

creating systems designed to reduce the carbon

footprint of high-rise residential buildings.

In this age of hyper corporate social responsibility, you constantly hear

companies touting their focus on making a difference in the world.

In the case of condominium developer Tridel Corporation, it’s putting its

money where its mouth is.

Tridel is so committed to perpetually improving and innovating – especially in

the green building space – that it not only has an innovation manager, but also its

own non-profit green building technology adoption arm, Tower Labs.


major energy consumers, as high rises

at the time were ventilated by a huge

makeup air unit that sat on the roof.

It had enormous motors, big fans and

it would basically supply massive

amounts of outside air to be pumped

into the corridors.

“The fans consumed a lot of energy

to ensure there’s enough pressure

in the corridors to allow the air or a

fraction of the air to enter each suite

from under the door,” he explains.

Alsayed says the problem with

this system was wasted energy that

was needed to make up for the air

that escaped through the garbage

chute or elevator shaft. Also, stack

effect – uncontrollable air movement

in the building resulting from the

high difference between the indoor

temperature and the outdoor

temperature, mainly in the cold

temperatures season.

“That caused a lot of resistance to

the delivery of ventilation air through

the centralized system,” he says.

This revelation led Tridel to an

alternative: in-suite ventilation,

whereby an Energy Recovery Ventilator

(ERV) is placed in every suite, bringing

in air from outside.

They started by testing this concept

in a small number of suites, at the time

trying a standalone ERV. It’s a ceiling

mounted piece of equipment with

two fans and an energy recovery core

and was installed in suites at different

elevations to test the performance at

various heights.

This type of device had been used

in single family homes, but Tridel was

the first to successfully bring it to a

high-rise dwelling.

The experiment was run over a

whole year to see the affect during the

different extremes of weather.

The result? All that air that was

being heated or cooled (depending

on the time of year) – and ultimately

wasted because of stack effect or losses

Because air is now brought directly from

outside into the living space, the suite door

can be completely sealed from the corridor –

the opposite of what was done in the past.

Luxury design with energy and space efficiency.


in the corridors and envelope – was no longer required.

Heating or cooling a huge volume of air that nobody

would use just did not make sense.

“The ventilation efficiency was very low because

there’s no guarantee that every suite in the building

would receive the appropriate or the required amount

of outside air with the central system,” he says.

Tridel’s strategy was to recover part of the energy in

the air that was being exhausted by the washroom fan

and to supply only the required ventilation air volume

directly into the suites – reducing the fan power

required and the electrical consumption of the central

makeup air fans.

The company began installing ERVs into the

next generation of buildings, and now because air is

brought directly from outside into the living space,

they’re able to completely seal the suite door from the

corridor – the opposite of what was done in the past.

The makeup unit has been reduced to a third of its

previous size, because now they only need to supply

enough outside air to meet the Fire Code requirements,

and the amount of energy used on heating or cooling


and distributing the air has been

reduced by almost two-thirds.

Once this ERV unit was perfected

and the industry started using it, the

newly-formed Tower Labs (launched

in 2010) realized that it would make

more sense to integrate the ERV into

the vertical fan coil instead of having

an extra piece of equipment in each

suite.

With funding from SDTC (Sus-

tainable Development Technology

Canada), Tower Labs partnered with

dPoint Technologies Inc., which

had developed an innovative ERV

membrane, and two of the province’s

leading fan coil unit manufacturers

(Unilux and EnerZone) to develop

a product in which the ERV became

part of the fan coil unit.

While this new integrated unit

won’t reduce the cost of the suite, it

will contribute to the reduction of

energy costs and perhaps common

elements fees, Alsayed says.

The product also solved another

problem: bulkhead space. When they

used standalone ERVs, they needed to

add an additional set of ducts, so that

added more bulkheads in the condo,

but with the integrated fan coil unit,

those are reduced.

“Everybody likes fewer bulkheads

in their suite because everybody wants

higher ceilings,” he says.

Before testing was even complete,

the market started jumping on this

technology, and it’s now become

virtually ubiquitous in Ontario, with

an estimated market share of 60 to 80

per cent.

While Tower Labs is currently

working on a few other projects,

Alsayed prefers to keep most of them

under wraps until they are ready to

launch. However, he did mention that

they’re developing “the next generation

fan coil unit with an economizer cycle”

with funding from NRCan.

The concept involves bringing

in outside air during the shoulder

seasons (spring and fall) to offset

the mechanical heating and cooling

processes. Traditionally in high rises,

there is a seasonal switch over for

heating and cooling, with heating

generally being available until the

Victoria Day weekend.

However, the recent trend of milder

springs has created times when it

becomes unseasonably warm for

a week or so before cooler weather

returns and it simply isn’t feasible to

switch to cooling for that brief period.

The solution currently being

tested by Tower Labs (and expected

to be launched within the next year)

Above: The integrated heating and fresh air system allows for in-suite ventilation. Right:The system balances supply and exhaust air in individual condo units and saves energy.

“Everybody likes

fewer bulkheads in

their suite because

everybody wants

higher ceilings.”


involves bringing in during the

shoulder seasons higher volumes

of outside air than what’s required

for ventilation and bypassing the

mechanical heating and cooling to

use that air to reduce the temperature

in the suite.

This isn’t a new concept; it’s used

in rooftop units in commercial plazas,

but this will be the first time it’s been

used in high-rise condos, he says.

Another initiative is NetZed, net

zero energy dwelling, where Tower

Labs is attempting to develop condo

suites that can produce as much

energy as they need – all powered

by renewable energy in the form of

dedicated solar panels. In time, the

company hopes to scale that up to an

entire floor and ultimately an entire

building.

The advantage of Tower Labs

(co-founded with MaRS) as a non-

profit is that it allows it to work with

federal and municipal agencies,

work with academia (such as George

Brown College and U of T) and

combine research and working with

manufacturers and technology

partners.

“So as a non-profit, you have that

flexibility to do that kind of work, “

Alsayed says.

That flexibility has bred an environ-

ment of innovation and has benefited

the industry as a whole as all these

publicly-funded projects are available

for the rest of the market to use. BB

Rob Blackstien is

a Toronto-based

freelance writer.

Pen-Ultimate.ca

The central air handler with ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator) is monitored for recovery efficiency.

The ERV core is integrated into the air handler.


sitespecific / ALE X NE WMAN

When builders first contact

Martino HVAC, they meet with

both the sales and design teams

(but not at same time). After going

over the blueprints, designers help

to determine where to locate the

heating and cooling systems so that

they don’t impede the design of

the home itself, says David Fisher,

Estimation and Design Department

Manager for Martino HVAC.

Homeowners want open space, he

explains, but locating the mechanical

system sometimes gets lost in that.

Conversely, he adds, mechanical

systems can intrude on the architec-

tural integrity of a home’s interior.

“Purchasers are still concerned

more with esthetics than with energy

efficiency,” Fisher says. “We can help

the builder design both efficiently and

esthetically.”

With the Building Code changes

in January 2015, a major emphasis

was on the right sizing of equipment,

Fisher says. “The goal of proper home

assessment is to help you design a

system that uses effective R-values

and is the right size for your home.”

Fisher has created a Microsoft

Excel program to do the calculations.

He also knows AutoCAD and

when it comes to blueprints, he

uses the architect’s drawings and

superimposes the heating system on

top of them.

“You want the drawings to look

professional so others will understand

them. If it goes to the municipality

and they can’t read the drawings, that

delays the permit process. My goal is

to not receive a single complaint from

the municipality so the builder doesn’t

have a problem with the process.”

Designers then communicate with

the installers to help them clearly

understand the design and make their

job as easy as possible. Fisher says they

keep communication and discussion

very open between mechanical

contractor, installers and builder.

“We also coor dinate everyone so the

builder doesn’t have to deal with all

these different subcontractors.”

This aspect of the business has

grown so much that Fisher now

oversees two full-time designers.

David FisherDesigning HVAC Systems That Meet Builders’ Needs

Good design, good communication, and having everything under one roof

are key elements to the Martino HVAC success story.

Working primarily with new homebuilders, the company designs,

installs, services and even manufactures parts for heating systems for new

housing projects.



Company historyThe company has been through a few

iterations since Mike Martino started

it in Barrie, Ontario almost 30 years

ago – taking on partners, buying

partners out, moving from Barrie to

Toronto. He’s added divisions and

departments as needed: the service

department which Fisher ran for

awhile; the design division; another

location that specializes radiant

in-floor and boiler installations;

and manufacturing parts like ducts,

rectangular trunks and fittings.

Everything is geared to making it

easier and faster to install and service.

Even hiring Fisher was a deliberate

step to improving delivery of systems.

He and Martino met when he

spent summers with the Martino

kids – their Bala, Ontario cottages

were a stone’s throw from each other.

After Fisher finished university in the

US, he returned to Canada to study

architectural technology at Humber

College.

Martino approached him about a

design division he had in mind, and

he asked Fisher to learn more about

right-sizing a home’s heating system,

and calculating heat loss and gain.

The learning didn’t stop there,

though – Fisher now attends almost

every available course on net zero

construction, air quality, how to

measure HERS ratings. He likes to

keep up with what’s current so he can

understand how builders aim to make

their homes better in the future.

He has also learned the business

from the ground up. Even with all

his school background, Martino had

him work virtually every department

of the company – sales, service,

installation, design. “I’d be installing

furnace vents, going through as

many as 25 houses a day, and

seeing how one builder’s homes were

different from another’s, the different

applications of their heating systems. I

ended up asking a lot of questions.”

Builders and HVACBuilders must comply with Ontario

Building Code energy efficiency

requirements. Although a house today

is still so much more efficient than a

house built in 2010, Fisher says some

builders will strive to go above and

beyond the Building Code, aiming for

greater functionality and interior air

comfort. Every five years, the Building

Code renews HVAC requirements, with

specific enactment dates built in to

that term.

It’s not Fisher’s job, however, to

tell builders to take one product over

another, only to advise within Code,

and for right-sizing of the system as

a whole. “The builder really lays out

what they want for homeowners and

we provide based on what they want.”

But Fisher is finding that more and

more builders are taking a further step

toward energy efficiency. One of them

recently gave a workshop presentation

to 10 of their purchasers. Fisher,

Martino and John Godden led the

seminar, explaining what an upgraded

heating system could do, and asking

if they would change their furnace to

an upgraded model. Once the benefits

were clearly explained, nine of the 10

couples opted for the upgrade.

Company upgradesMartino HVAC also builds in upgrades

of its own, like its patented air box

that comes with every new home.

Every new furnace has its air filtration

system, with filters that are usually an

inch thick. Four- or five-inch filters are

better, Fisher says, but to improve most

existing filtration systems to accept

them would require taking apart the

ductwork and installing a new air box.

“Mike said he was tired of forcing

homeowners to pay extra,” Fisher

recalls. “So we created a Martino air

guard, which still has a one-inch sec-

tion inside the air box, but also incor-

porates a separate section to install a

four- or five-inch upgraded air filter.”

Martino also offers free home visits

when homeowners take possession.

“They call us and we send out a service

technician to explain exactly how and

why the system performs the way it

does. Technology is more complicated,

especially the high-cost thermostats,

and it’s easier if someone is there to

show you how it all works.” BB

Alex Newman is a writer, editor and

researcher at www.alexnewmanwriter.com.

“I’d be installing furnace vents, going through as

many as 25 houses a day, and seeing how one

builder’s homes were different from another’s,

the different applications of their heating

systems. I ended up asking a lot of questions.”


buildernews / BET TER BU I LDER STAFF

“Vision is about being able to see

an idea before it exists. It requires

thinking outside the box, which

can be difficult in our industry,

dominated by conservative practices

and strict regulations.

“We are directed by the OBC, but

that is a minimum standard that

government legislates. That doesn’t

mean that it’s necessarily the only

way or the best way. It takes vision to

see beyond that to what is possible.

This award encompasses true vision,

the ability to see a better way of doing

things through new processes or

materials.

“It can often be a very lonely

undertaking, since they’re often

travelling against the current. Through

tireless efforts, passion, clear and

concise messages and determination,

this individual has inspired many

people in our industry. He has not

only shown us how to develop new

solutions to improve our customers’

lives, but has presented them from a

business perspective that allows us

to deliver more while protecting our

bottom line. His organization has

been instrumental in training our

trade partners and our staff members

on the merits of transformation, and

made them advocates for building

better performing, efficient, quality

homes. As he often says, ‘It’s the

triple bottom line,’ doing what’s best

for the customer, for business and

for the environment. Please join me

in congratulating our Vision Award

winner John Godden.” BB

John Godden Receives LIV Communities Vision Award

Anthony Martelli, Chief Operating Officer for LIV Communities presented the Vision Award at LIV’s June 8, 2016

luncheon and awards event. Anthony’s award presentation speech follows.

“It’s the triple bottom line: do what’s best for the

customer, for business and for the environment.”

John Godden with LIV Communities (from L to R) Anthony Martelli, Kevin Watt, Aaron Roque and Dorian Grah.

Mc

CA

BE

PH

OT

OG

RA

PH

Y


fromthegroundup / DOUG TARRY

I recently attended the Building

Science Spring Training Camp in

Huntsville, a great opportunity

for leading industry experts to get

together and exchange what we’ve

learned over the last year and beyond.

This event is a must-attend date on

my calendar.

The event organizers, Gord Cooke,

John Straub and Tex McLeod put on

another fantastic session and I was

honoured to be asked to provide an

update on our work and how it relates

to home comfort and energy efficiency.

Over the last several years, I have

been very fortunate to work with

industry experts (building scientists,

manufacturers, educational partners

and government) on Code research

projects that will enable builders to

create the next generation of high-

performance housing.

These experiences have given me

two key lessons:

1. I’ve done complicated. It’s

COMPLICATED. You might want

to avoid that.

2. For every action (that you take),

there is an equal and opposite

reaction (that you have to figure

out). As my friend Andy Oding

said recently, “We can’t live long

enough to make all the mistakes

ourselves.” So I’d like to share my

experiences to help others avoid

some of our “lessons.”

For example, during one project,

in order to reduce the chances of

condensation and mold, we decided

to foam our rim joist. An added bonus

was that the air leakage reduced from

an average of 1.9 ACH to an average

of 1.1 ACH. (We are now down to an

average of 0.76 ACH). That reduced our

total heating load on our homes to the

point where any furnace we could find

was oversized for the home’s needs,

which introduced new challenges.

We tried combo systems only

to be thwarted by the P9-11 testing

requirements. (I felt the requirements

were rolled out before industry capacity

had been built up.) Also, it turns out it’s

not the best idea to us a combo system

in a home with hard water. Who knew?

By now, most readers are aware

that the Ontario Building Code (OBC)

is set to improve performance by a

15% reduction in energy consumption

starting in January 2017. What you

may not know is that the ENERGY

STAR program in Ontario will likely

require builders to meet a reduction

approximately 20% less than these new

OBC requirements.

The 35% total reduction is about

the same level of performance that

we currently build at Doug Tarry

Homes. From a planning and design

perspective, this creates an interesting

dilemma for us, as this level of

efficiency is closer to Net Zero Ready

than it is to the current OBC. The

question we faced was, do we stay put,

or do we move up to Net Zero Ready?

The next logical step is a Net Zero

or Net Zero Ready Home, and we have

been exploring the transition towards

this goal.

Our net zero home designOur Net Zero Ready specifications

feature the same Dettson Chinook

furnace and Dettson Alize air

conditioner (Air Source Heat Pump)

as our regular homes and we’ve

partnered with Dettson and Fanshawe

College to test and study our Net Zero

Home’s energy performance.

So, what is different from our regular

homes?

• Slightly higher level of insulation

in our walls, basements, basement

slabs and ceilings, but with all the

same materials and details we

normally use

• Dettson Smart Ducting HVAC Sys-

tem, for smaller ducting, better air

flow and greater occupant comfort

• Triple-glazed (rather than double-

glazed) North Star windows with

low solar coatings as required

Imagine the Homes of Tomorrow, Today

The OBC is set to improve performance by a 15%

reduction in energy consumption starting in 2017

… the ENERGY STAR program in Ontario will likely

require builders to meet a reduction approximately

20% less than these new OBC requirements.


• Staying with our usual ERV

manufacturer (VanEE) with

the addition of an ECM motor

(our “fresh air machine”) that is

controlled by easy-to-use “set-it

and forget-it” technology

• High-performance water heater

along with a recirculation system

for instant hot water

• Drain water heat recovery pipe to

capture waste water heat

The addition of solar (PV) panels

that create the amount of energy

the home needs, enabling the home

to be fully Net Zero and able to feed

excess electricity to the grid for net

metering, thus providing credits on

the homeowner’s electricity bill.

What are the customer benefits of

owning a Net Zero Home?

Making the decision to purchase

a Net Zero Energy Home provides

customers with years of increased

comfort: a healthier, safer home

with fewer drafts, more even interior

temperatures, fewer humidity issues

and better indoor air quality.

These homes are also more durable,

and have fewer long-term maintenance

costs, as well as being “future proof”

in regard to rising energy costs. In

fact, when compared to a Code-built

home in Ontario, combined mortgage

and utility costs often make a Net

Zero Home the more affordable choice

overall.

Net Zero Homes are also more

environmentally sustainable, with

lower greenhouse gas emissions

and pollution, they provide a more

responsible use of resources and

reduce the household’s overall

carbon footprint.

But can the customer operate the

home?

We ask our customers to imagine

owning a home that produces as much

energy as it consumes on an annual

basis. That’s what our Net Zero Energy

Homes can do, but it depends on

occupant behaviour. If the homeowner

doesn’t understand and operate it

properly, the home will not perform to

its full potential.

Our goalAs I said at the beginning of this

article, if it’s complicated, it is exactly

that – COMPLICATED. If you can’t

describe to your customer, clearly and

simply, how the mechanical system

works, the odds of that customer

running the home successfully will

be very low.

31

With Net Zero Homes, smaller heating loads mean a smaller furnace. Smaller furnace, smaller smarter ducting.


Action:

You installed a complicated system.

Equal and opposite reaction:

Your warranty staff are going to be

really busy. Been there, done that,

didn’t like the t-shirt.

Key goal for this project:

Keep it simple.

We install a Dettson program-

mable thermostat (in all of our homes,

not just our Net Zero Homes). Then

we install the VanEE ERV control right

beside the thermostat. We show the

customer the smart mode setting, and

tell them to “set it and forget it.” The

only requirement of the customer is to

change their furnace filter and clean

the ERV filters regularly.

That’s it!

Two controls that the customers

need not touch. “Set it and forget it.”

It works. It’s simple. It’s not rocket

science.

This is the biggest piece of advice

I have: keep it simple and your

customers will actually enjoy their

high-performance homes. BB

Doug Tarry Jr is director of marketing at

Doug Tarry Homes in St. Thomas, Ontario.

The Dettson Alize air source heat pump and air conditioner up to 21 SEER performance.

Your reputation is built, or crumbles, long after the keys have been handed over. That’s why projects like The Edelweiss Home – Canada’s first LEED® v4 home, and second in the world to achieve Platinum status – rely on the continuous insulation of ROXUL® COMFORTBOARD™ exterior sheathing. Its vapour permeability enables your wall assembly to dry to the outside, providing your clients with durability and comfort. See why ROXUL is a better fit for your next project at roxul.com/comfortboard

A BETTER WAY TO BUILD YOUR HOMES –AND YOUR REPUTATION.

NOTES:

BUILD SCALE:

TRIM AREA:BLEED:SAFETY:

JAN Kelley Marketing, its employees and agents (collectively referred to as “JKM”) shall not be held liable for any loss or damage suffered by you, or by any third party, from the use of these marketing materials (the “Materials”) if they have been modified, distorted, combined with third party content, or manipulated in whole or in part by any party other than JKM. Further, once the proof of the Materials has been approved by you, JKM shall not be liable for any loss or damage suffered by you or any third party arising from any alleged or actual defect in the Materials or in any way arising from their reproduction by a party other than JKM.

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8.5"x 10.875".125” all around.575” all around

RESIZE

DOCKET #:

PROOF #: ARTIST: DATE:CLIENT:

FILE NAME:

AD NUMBER:RESOLUTION:COLOURS:

12745

CMYK

ROXUL

300 DPIROX-P-028-2016-E

01 JC April 8, 2016 11:03 AM12745-ROX-P-028-2016-E

CAVITYROCK® and COMFORTBOARDTM. For a better way to build.

COMFORTBOARD™. For the better way to build. LEED® is a registered trademark of United States Green Building Council.

The demand for energy efficient homes is increasing and building codes will be changing in 2017. Enbridge can help. Our Savings by Design (SBD) program offers free access to design and technical experts, plus up to $300,000 in incentives.* It’s the support you need to construct energy efficient, healthy and sustainable homes beyond code requirements. Find out how the SBD program helps builders like you at residential.savingsbydesign.ca

Get the support you need to build it right.

* Builders can earn $300,000 in incentives by participating in the program three separate times. To qualify for the program, your project must be located in the Enbridge Gas Distribution franchise area. Participation is a three-year commitment. During that time, builders are expected to design and construct at least one new construction home based on resulting recommendations. In order to receive incentive payments, you must agree to all program terms and conditions, must fully participate in all stages of the program and must meet all program requirements.

ESD2132_SBD_Res_FullPageAds_final.indd 1 2016-05-30 11:12 AM