Klondike Contracting » energy efficiency

Benefits of Green Roofs

Klondike Contracting — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:00:04 +0000

Green roofs are vegetated roof systems that passively perform no less than 8 highly beneficial and cost-saving functions, including stormwater runoff reduction, heating and cooling load reduction, and extending the service life of the roof by 40 -60 years. They also mitigate urban heat island effect, absorb carbon dioxide, sequester air-borne particulates, provide urban wildlife habitat, reduce noise pollution, and other services that not long benefit the building but also the surrounding community.

Due to the many benefits of green roofs, many municipalities offer incentives to make the initial cost of a roof compatible to a conventional roof. Some examples are:

Faster approval/construction permitting process
Reduced stormwater/wastewater system development charges
Reduced stormwater/wastewater usage fees
Reduced size of stormwater management ponds or cisterns
Grants rewarding energy efficiency or economic and environmental objectives
Density bonus / larger floor area ratio
Satisfy minimum parkland / green space requirements
Greenhouse gas emissions trading credits, stemming from energy savings

The installation cost can range from $10/sq ft to $50/sq ft or more depending on the type of roof you want, plant selection & availability. Although installation of new green roofs cost more than conventional roofs, they are competitive on a life-cycle basis due to reduced maintenance & replacement costs.

An example of an existing green roof is in the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel in Vancouver. They spent $25,000 CAD to install a 2,100 sq ft green roof with a soil depth of 18″. They currently use it to grow herbs vegetables for the hotel’s restaurant. Annual food production saves the hotel an estimated $25,000 to $30,000 in herb costs alone.

For more information on green building practices please visit Cascadia’s Green Facts Sheet.

GVHBA’s 3 Steps to “Greening” Your Renovation Plan

Klondike Contracting — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:00:02 +0000

With today’s technological advancements, there are a plethora of opportunities to make environmentally-friendly choices for your renovation. Thus, excuses not to be environmentally conscious are harder to come by. Whether it is building products, appliances, or fixtures, many of today’s products deliver better performance with less environmental impact. With this in mind, consider the follow 3 steps when planning your renovation:

Increase the energy & water efficiency of your home,
Ensure clean indoor air, and
Choose resource-smart materials & products.

These are just 3 simple steps you can take to better the environment for you & your family. So even though your renovation may not involve any of the above, we recommend that you consider them while you’re at it as it will benefit you, your family and the environment in the long run. Furthermore, with all the grants & bursaries available as incentives for these types of upgrades, it’s even more reason green your home. For more details on where you can improve your home for the environment & a checklist (so you don’t miss anything) please click on: GVHBA’s “Greening” Your Renovation.

Ten Tips On Selecting Your New Fireplace

Klondike Contracting — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:00:38 +0000

As with anything else, there is a wide selection of fireplaces available on the market today. It can be an overwhelming experience if you don’t know what you want or need. To aid you in this process, we have compiled a list (with the help of our friends at Vancouver Gas Fireplaces) of things to consider before making your purchase.

Determine the purpose for your new fireplace. Do you want heat efficiency or asthetics or both? You can drastically narrow your options based on this.
You can’t really have a fireplace that will heat more than one room so eliminate this requirement from your checklist. You can’t really save on heating costs in this way & you will created an overheated main room.
If you require a heat efficient fireplace, consider a thermostatically-controlled self-modulated fireplace. Your fireplace will adjust itself and regulate the room to the temperature you have set.
Take note of the existing decor & choose the trim option that would be suit what you have already.
View the fireplace when it’s on and off & make sure you like the look in both modes.
Avoid choosing a heating insert that relies on a fan to push the hot air out into the room. This will only marginally improve heating. The best fireplaces are efficient without a fan.
When it comes to log set, choose the one that will fit into the fireplace area easily but still leave enough breathing room. This will ensure the valve will not overheat & is asthetically pleasing.
Decide how you want to operate your fireplace: wall switches, remote controls, or thermostats. Many can also be operated manually
Electric fireplaces is an option if gas is not. They are available in various sizes & styles with many different trim options. Further, they do not require venting so you can put them anywhere in your home.
Find a retailer who will supply and install. The installation can impact the overall performance of your fireplace so leave it to the experts.

For more information, we recommend visiting a retailer. You can also acquire further information fromwww.vangasfireplaces.com.

Light House HomeSpa

Klondike Contracting — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:45:54 +0000

HomeSpa, Vancouver’s healthy & eco-friendly home advisory service, is provide by Light House Sustainable Building Centre. These services range from an initial assessment of your home to a comprehensive prescription for the most ambitious renovation. Regardless of the size of your home, their team will provide you with a customized report with practical tips and resources that will ensure your home is a healthy space for you & yours while respecting the health of our planet. These services can vary but they start at $200 for the HomeSpa Checkup which covers:

Energy efficiency evaluation
Water efficiency – inside & outside the home
Waste reduction – from purchasing to recycling & disposal
Environmentally-friendly cleaning products

For more information on these & additional services, please visit: www.sustainablebuildingcentre.com