Sustainable Practices
Smaller buildings spared Ontario benchmarking
Owners of smaller commercial and multi-residential buildings in Ontario will still be welcome to voluntarily share energy and water consumption data, but a looming deadline for mandatory disclosure has been withdrawn.
Energy efficiency primed for climate action
Few signatories to the Paris Agreement have specifically listed energy efficiency targets in required national plans for meeting their commitments so Three Percent Club founders see plenty of room to capture untapped emissions reductions.
Energy retrofits announced for GTA residential buildings
The Canadian government has earmarked $5.75m in grants and loans to conduct “deep energy retrofits” within four multi-residential buildings in Toronto and Hamilton.
Sealing building envelopes in new condos
Creating an envelope in a residential tower where balconies, windows and exterior walls come together in multiple layers is challenging and increases the likelihood that thermal bridges will form.
GTA-based condo building demos cogeneration
One GTA-based condo building won’t face the dilemma of when to switch over its HVAC system from heating to cooling this spring thanks to cogeneration.
An untapped source of water savings?
Several seasons of wear and tear can impact the efficiency of a condominium’s in-ground irrigation system. How maintenance can help lower water bills.
Toronto puts energy reporting proposal on pause
An energy reporting requirement for large buildings is likely coming to Toronto. The only question is: Will it come from the city or from the province?
Five ways to curb utility costs in condominiums
Coming changes in Ontario are cause for condo corporations to curb their utility costs. An expert shares how, pointing to five energy efficiency retrofits.
T.O.’s energy reporting consultations set for fall
City of Toronto staff have set out a fall to winter timeframe for consultations on the development of a proposed energy reporting bylaw for large buildings.
A nature-driven approach to SWM
Ian Smith of of Urban and Environmental Management explains Low Impact Development and how how it embraces water as a valuable resource.
Pros and cons of solar panels on apartments
Solar power generation is a green way to reduce energy costs. But there are pros and cons of solar panels when it comes to apartment buildings.
Energy-saving checklist for facility managers
Here are seven strategies to reduce energy wastage.
Energy cost reduction strategies
Most building managers keep track of the cost of their energy bills. However, few pay attention to how much energy ...
What’s next for green condos
Improving the sustainability and energy efficiency of condominiums is not new. However, in terms of the most important and new energy-saving measures, it comes down to making small changes and sticking to simple solutions.
Energy audits
An energy audit is the logical first step in helping to reduce a facility’s utility costs and carbon footprint, and justify capital expenditures. Here are 10 things every building manager should know before embarking on an energy audit.
ASHRAE introduces new labelling program
The Building Energy Quotient program introduces a scoring system and database that will allow participants to compare their building’s performance ...
Building automation can save energy
Energy efficiency in highrise multi-residential buildings can be achieved through a variety of retrofits. However, one method that is often overlooked is ...