Zeroing in on better buildings

Julia Langer.

Should the condo or house you buy today be a prime candidate for an energy retrofit tomorrow? 

The reality is that much of what we build today could be much, much more energy efficient with only a modest increase in construction costs (offset, of course, by lower lifetime operating costs).  That’s why I tend to cringe whenever I see one of those giant construction cranes swinging another bucket of concrete skywards.  What we all too rarely see are those cranes lifting state-of-the-art windows, high performance cladding or solar panels.

Let’s give Toronto some credit.  The city has used its new powers under the City of Toronto Act to pass Green Building Standards that will require new construction to be more energy efficient than it would be if we just stuck to the provincial building code.  But let’s also raise our view a bit higher and look at what some other cities are doing.  In Germany, all new homes must now be “net zero” energy users.  In other words, they have to produce as much energy as they consume.    The U.K. is on the same track with a net zero carbon requirement coming into play by 2016. 

Net Zero may sound futuristic, but behind the catchy name is a lot of mundane, completely doable stuff like tight building envelopes, lots of insulation, ultra-efficient appliances and lighting.  By ratchetting down energy demand, the renewable energy systems integrated into the building design -- whether they are solar panels, geo-thermal heating and cooling, or, as in many Danish cities, district heating using biomass and waste heat recovery – can meet residents’ energy needs.  Compare it to the gas you need drive a Hummer or a Prius, and still get where you are going.  

Most Toronto high-rises – even new ones -- are ripe for energy efficiency upgrades, which are especially cost-effective now that the HST is going to add 8 per cent to gas and electricity bills.  Retrofits can’t achieve net zero, but can help you save some serious cash, and the planet – see www.TowerWise.ca for some great advice and tools.

There's no reason not to build state-of-the-art buildings in our world-class city.  And there are very good reasons to build high-quality, super-efficient, environmentally responsible, net-zero buildings which won't spew climate-changing pollution for the next 50+ years. 

About Julia Langer

Comments

[Omar Lujan]

It is refreshing to hear new and plausible ideas that can turn Toronto into an ever better place to live. The concept of net zero building makes sense, it is environmentally and economically sensible, and it is an approach that has provided great results for a good number of European cities.

I think it is time for Torontonians to have higher expectations for the construction and design of our houses and buildings. We are, after all, one of the wealthiest and most modern cities in North America.

[Tom Rand]

Net Zero is - at the end of the day - the only way to go. Buildings reverting from energy users (40% of our total carbon) to energy producers is a key move in de-carboning our economy.

[Patricia Sinclair]

Every new condominium, apartment, office tower should be built using ground source energy. Green roofs and wind mills are expensive and unsuitable for the downtown core but ground source can be applied everywhere. You have to dig foundations anyway so just go a bit further. This technology isn't even on the radar with a few exceptions.

[Joanne Adair]

As I'm in the market for buying a new condo, my purchase criteria is very specific. One key element is the sustainability factor. If there were Net Zero buildings available in Toronto they would be at the top of my list. And yes, I would brag about it at every chance I had!

[Sonny Yeung]

The Ontario Building Code has to be changed and enforced to have more energy efficient buildings. There could be a push for more LEED certified structures...more focus should be on insulation and the way we heat & cool our buildings. Also the way we heat water.

[Tom]

Why are people always pointing at new buildings and suggesting they should do it.New buildings are extremely efficient. How about getting your own home in order. Our youth can only afford so much. Affordibility is a key consideration. Leed standards do not have a payback component. Green roofs do not make sense in northern climates and definatly do not save enough energy based on the capital outlay.
What happened to common sense and affordibility? How about getting our existing building stock upgraded. Put your money where your mouth is.

[George Canetti]

Julia, congratulations on the great article on ‘Net Zero Buildings are overdue’, in the Toronto Star of April 12th.
You mentioned in the article that “Net Zero may sound futuristic………”

Ameresco Canada have been providing just that (Net-Zero buildings) but calling it “Carbon Neutral and Zero Energy” and we have been doing this for three years. In addition, we have been including LEED silver and at the same cost as a traditional building.

In the article, you mention that “Retrofits can’t achieve net zero…….”

Actually, we’d like to try to accomplish this through proper design of geothermal, solar, wind and any other technology that could be included. All we need is the proper building to prove this point.

Sincerely,
George Canetti
Ameresco Canada
647 788 6027
www.ameresco.ca
http://www.ameresco.ca/en/green.html