Our Eco-Renovation: Green Building
Project Overview
The initial stage of our new home was a renovation of a building originally built in the late 1800’s. It is a typical North End Halifax “salt box”, rectangular in shape with a very slight slope in the roof. The building is approximately 3000 sq ft, almost double our previous space on Argyle Street in downtown Halifax.
We purchased the building in July of 2005, and moved in nine months later, on May 1, 2006. The renovation was guided by Peter Henry Architects, the EAC Home Committee and Archnet Home Build and Renovate. The first floor had been renovated in the 1980’s while the second floor contained many original elements of the building, including trim, a cast iron bathtub and a slate fireplace. We completely altered the building layout, moved walls, stairways and added new windows.
Designers
Peter Henry Architects
3252 Veith Street
Halifax, NS B3K 3H2
(902) 455-9884
Archnet Home Build and Renovate
Halifax, NS B3K 1V6
Tel: (902)830-6351
Rod Malay
Rod Malay is a construction manager who specializes in environmental construction.
Incentive Programs
EnerGuide for New Houses
Nova Scotia Home Builders’ Association
15A Oland Crescent
Halifax, NS B3S 1C6
1-800-668-2001
Nova Scotia residents planning the construction of a new house are eligible for an evaluation of energy and heating efficiency of their new homes for $350 so that future costs and the feasibility of alternative solutions can be assessed. Successful completion of the program refunds half of this deposit, and an energy rating of 77/100 or better fully refunds the deposit and a 10% reduction on CMCH Mortgage Loan Insurance.
Commercial Building Incentive Program
Buildings Division
Office of Energy Efficiency
Natural Resources Canada
580 Booth Street
C/O Observatory #3
Ottawa ON K1A 0E4
Fax: (613) 947-4121
TTY:(613)996-4397
1 877 360-5500
Design assistance and funding of up to $60,000 is provided to eligible organizations that plan to construct multi-unit residential, commercial or industrial buildings that are energy efficient. Incentives are separately provided for Retail Food Stores and Arenas.
Industrial Energy Audit Incentive
Industrial Programs Division
Office of Energy Efficiency
Natural Resources Canada
580 Booth Street, 18th Floor
Ottawa, ON K1A 0E4
(613) 992-3161
Industrial companies can receive funding for 50% of the cost of an energy audit (up to $5,000).
Further Resources
Canada Green Building Council: LEED Certification
Canada Green Building Council
325 Dalhousie Street, Suite 800
Ottawa, ON K1N 7G2
Tel: (613)241-1184
Fax: (613)241-4782
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification is granted in Canada by the Green Building Council based on adherence to the following five principles: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality. Version 1.0 of LEED Canada-NC for New Construction and Major Renovations was used throughout the project for suggestions on how to improve the environmental efficiency of all aspects of project design and construction.
Green Building Products
Wilson, Alex and Mark Piepkorn. Green Building Products: The GreenSpec Guide to Residential Building Materials. Gabriola Island: New Society Publishers, 2005.
This book is an invaluable resource for locating manufacturers for all aspects of green building through a clear and accessible layout.
Built Environment Committee
Phone: (902) 429-2202
Fax: (902) 405-3716
The Built Environment Committee meets the second Thursday of every month at 5:30pm at the EAC. All are welcome at our monthly meeting.
