How Green Is Green Enough?

First of all, location matters because it depends on how much and what you drive. It’s easier being green in centres where public transportation is easily accessible. Transportation has one of the biggest impacts on lowering your carbon footprint.

Re building: Doing it right from the design stage is the way to go. After I read your piece today, I’m in agreement that you’re spending the money in the right places! I will be interested to know what your future utility bills are like versus your old ones. Assuming you use CFLs and LED lighting (and don’t have a “potlight happy” electrician installing them 2 feet apart) and you use energy star appliances, etc. your utility bills should be pretty reasonable. Sign up for Bullfrog Power (green electricity) and you’re doing even better! It sounds like your gas bills will be next to nothing too!

To me, green is all about lowering our overall carbon footprint — and that means using less, reusing what we have, and recycling more. Looking at what you buy and where it comes from is important, but until there are “life cycle calculators” on everything we buy, we’re all taking shots in the dark — guessing at what is greener: sustainably produced bamboo from China or local FSC certified wood. Each have arguments for and against.

Until you know what you’re consuming, it’s difficult to know where to start. That’s why energy audits and carbon calculators are so important. A good one at toronto.zerofootprint.net.

Regarding location - I couldn’t agree more. One of the reasons we decided to stay were we are is because we’re so close to the subway. We looked in different locations, but inevitably they were always further away from a station (and I’m admittedly not so keen on taking the streetcar).

All of our appliances are Energy Star, and I’m expecting to use local hardwood over bamboo. Similarly, we’ll definitely have potlights, but I’m expecting to use CFLs or LEDs wherever possible.

I hadn’t heard about the zerofootprint - thanks for sending that along!

Jeremy,
Good for you, there is nothing more effective during a project like the one you have undertaken than a good look in the mirror. You are
most certainly on the right path to creating something with less
impact on our environment, even if the critics decide to chime
in with a vengence. All of your upgrades are reducing the impact
you are aware of from your original tear down. Thousands of
homes in the GTA were torn down or infilled over the last decade
that did not undertake the same energy efficient upgrades. It
is thanks to the passionate environmental extremists that we are aware of the problems created during the building booms of generations
before ours. Saying that though, you can’t always afford to do
everything all of the time, which you seem to be faced with.

My one suggestion for you is to focus the upgrades on the ones
that have a future payback. You will be more likely to undertake
them that way. Local hardwood instead of bamboo is great because
it is not shipped from overseas, but it won’t help the pocket book
in the end. The first choice upgrades should always be focused
on the reduction in the consumption of energy YOU pay for. That
way, if you can’t afford it today, the future savings will offset
the added borrowing you may need to get the upgrade. A perfect
example is triple glazed windos, or high density spray foam instead
of fiberglass insulation in the walls. Over time, that upgrade
will pay for itself in less energy costs for you.

If you are willing to forego the custom kitchen to allow
for green choices now, i would suggest you look to the bathroom
as well. Plumbing fixtures and cabinets can be low cost today,
then donated to charitable organizations when your finances
will allow for the upgrade, often creating a charitable tax
receipt for you. It also diverts sending these items to the
landfill as a new family can benefit from their donation.

Best of luck with the project Jeremy!

Brendan Charters
Eurodale Developments.

I have previously seen an article in Dwell magazine where a
clerestory window opened to allow a cross draft to force out
the hot air that accumulates at the high elevation during the
summer months. Is this something you thought about? Does it
have merit for your home?

Hey David — we will actually have 2 operable windows in the clerestory, diagonally across from one another (front North and back South). These will open to allow cross ventilation and venting of the hot air. We’re also considering a fan up there that will circulate the warm air in the winter to heat the area below.

Hi Jeremy,

I love your site. It’s quite instructive and inspiring.

Regarding heat pump heating systems, have you checked out the Hallowell Acadia? Here’s a link to the Toronto Star article: http://www.thestar.com/columnists/article/302300

and their website:
http://www.gotohallowell.com/acadia.html

The system apparently works down to -30 celcius - ideal for cold climates.

Cheers,

Phil