Portfolio

The building’s orientation promotes passive energy capture. The house have a greywater recovery system, to decrease the use of drinking water by collecting 90% rainwater from the roof, in underground tank 6000 liters, which will be used for irrigation, washing of cars and toilets. Pre-solar: The roof was directed south / south-east by a slight slope 2 in 12 in order to install solar panels if the owners desires, and tubes are already installed for future solar applications. White roof is installed to reduce heat islands effects. Note that the structure of the roof of the garage and the entrance porch are calculated to possible accommodation of a green roof if the customer desires. (Elastomer membrane of white finishing soprastar flam HD GR of soprema). Reduce occupant exposure to radon and other gases contaminating in the ground by installing a passive depressurization column under the slab.

The indoor spaces are designed to foster occupants’ well-being through a high-performance envelope, ENERGY STAR® windows, and an appropriate HVAC heat-recovery system. Blower door test result is  1.45 CAH @ 50Pa, air change per hour at 50 Pa. Rates required by novoclimat 2  is ≤ 1.5 CAH. The blower door test is part of the energy evaluation of a LEED home. It is a performance test that uses a device to verify the air tightness, which means that it measures the amount of outdoor air that enters through the envelope. During this test, the advisor goes through the house to locate the possible air leaks that are then sealed to reduce energy consumption. Air leaks found throughout a typical home can represent a 25% heat loss. This figure can reach up to 40% in an older home.

LED spot lights are installed throughout the house and few motions detectors in some rooms. 220v outlet for futur electrical car charger is added to the garage. Appliances are Energy star certified allowing energy savings. Also installed: Thermopompe 4 tonnes 15 s.e.e.r. énergie star Brand Mitsubishi heats up to -30 degrés,  2 electric furnaces 8 kw brand Mitsubishi with No HCFC refrigerant in the air conditioning system and an air exchanger brand Lifebreath recovering heat from exhaust to preheat the fresh air.

The majority of the structure is FSC wood (including floor joists and roof trusses, OSB Dryguard FSC ect). Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, which promotes ecologically respectful and socially beneficial forest management. Materials with low VOC emissions are used. The project promotes water based paints, low-VOC glue that meets LEED requirements, and furniture cabinets without added Urea-formaldehyde. Project favored materials from local sources when available: Using products that have been extracted, processed and manufactured within 800 km (500 miles) of the dwelling if transported by truck or within 2400 km (1500 miles) if transported by train. Note that waste management during construction was addressed, and construction wastes (wood, insulation, cardboard, etc.) were sorted off-site and the rate of diversion from landfills was documented by ‘Multi Recyclage’.

High efficiency appliances that consume less water were used: The average flow rate of all lavatory and shower faucets is ≤ 2.0 GPM and the average flow rate of all toilets (dual flush) is ≤ 4.9 LPC (1.3 GPC). Toilets are certified Watersense. Hybrid water heater Voltex, electric heat pump, HPTU-80 is installed: a heat exchanger absorbs the heat from the ambient air and transfers it to the water using heat pump with responsible refrigerant R134a harmless for the environment. Bathroom fans are brand Ortech 110 CFM and 0.9 sones with timer and in garage, a fan was installed to remove carbon monoxide. It is activated by motion detector. Note that master bedroom bathroom floors are electrically heated.

Hybrid water heater Voltex, electric heat pump, HPTU-80: a heat exchanger absorbs the heat from the ambient air and transfers it to the water using heat pump with responsible refrigerant R134a harmless for the environment. According to energy simulation done by ecohabitation, monthly consumption is reduced by $ 240 / month. ENERGY STAR © refrigerator (at least 20% more performant then Canadian standard) consumes 632 KWh / year. Refrigerator ENERGY STAR © (superior performance of at least 20% of the Canadian standard) consumes 632 KWh / year. Dishwasher ENERGY STAR ©  consumes 270 KWh / year and less water. High efficiency appliances that consume less water. LED spot lights. Motions detectors ben added in some rooms.

For erosion and sediment control during construction, the site was protected by a fence covered with a geotextile and the entrance to the site throughout the driveway was covered with compacted gravel to clean the truck’s wheels entering and leaving the site and thus reducing the pollution transmitted to the neighborhood. Landscaping: The existing tree on the site was protected during construction. Permeable pavers are used for the driveway and hard surfaces. As well as native plants that needs less water. Choice of a site: already developed and close to public transport, train station and an already existing infrastructure. Radon column: Reduce occupant exposure to radon and other gases contaminating in the ground by installing a passive depressurization column under the slab.