SCBC
-
Pandemic’s Affect on High-Performance Building Materials
Though the price of dimensional lumber has started to decrease to pre-pandemic levels we are still dealing with exceptionally high pricing of key materials used in high-performance building applications. Based on an analysis of our material costs from mid 2019 to early 2023 we have noted the following changes: Given the pandemic’s affect on materials…
-
The Fallacy of Endless Growth
Sun Certified started out as a group of family members that wanted to shake up the building industry to improve the energy performance of both residential and commercial buildings. As individuals we all share the viewpoint that our current way of life is not sustainable and without drastic changes to how we operate as a…
-
The War on Carbon Emissions
We have scientific evidence which shows that if we allow a 2° C average rise in global temperature we will likely face catastrophic climate change. The Paris Agreement calls for a 1.5° C limit to warming. Our governments are planning for a 3° C rise in temperature. This is untenable. If we have any hope…
-
Energy Efficiency and Mortgages
Anybody that has ever applied for a mortgage knows about the “debt to service ratio”. It’s a calculation that determines whether you can afford make your mortgage payments based on the total cost of building ownership (tcbo). A lower tcbo means that you can afford to spend more on your mortgage. As a potential homeowner,…
-
Infill Housing Strategy
Randy and Garry attended an information meeting hosted by the City of Winnipeg who are consulting the public about establishing a Residential Infill Strategy for new housing. Front line city planners were in attendance and they wanted the public to fill in a “Have Your Say” survey card with 4 yes or no questions and…
-
What would you like to do?
Insulation always gives you a return on investment and that return increases as energy costs increase. Money spent on mechanical heating/cooling equipment is guaranteed to cost you money and keeps costing you more and more money as the cost of energy increases and the cost of repairs increase until it completely breaks down, then you…
-
The Case for Dry Sealed Attic Spaces
We have been discussing the problems associated with the current accepted practice of attic venting. The following sections summarizes the science of sealed roof/attic spaces in order to ensure that moisture does not enter the roof/attic spaces. This is what the code says. “…Except where it can be shown to be unnecessary, where insulation is…
-
Why Geo Thermal?
The Rant for today is directed at Manitoba Hydro and the Manitoba government. What is the objective of the cash grant and hydro loan for geo thermal systems? Why single out geo thermal when there are better solutions. Is it to reduce energy consumption? Is it to subsidize the HVAC industry? What difference does it…
-
Hurdles to energy efficiency in commercial construction
We have attended several trade meetings/training this year (CanPHI west, Manitoba Green Building Council, Passive House Design course) and have come to the conclusion that there are some glaring issues with the way we build commercial buildings. Starting with the design process, local jurisdictions seem overly cautious to allow out of the box design for…
-
Where did R2000 go?
Back in 1999 my dad (Randy) won the Technical Builder of the Year award given out by the Manitoba Builders Association and R2000. R2000 was being run by Manitoba Hydro and had almost a dozen employees. These awards banquets and compliment of employees dwindled away over the years even as R2000 was revamping their program…