Archive for the 'Green Condos' Category
What is Geo-Thermal Heating?
February 6th, 2008 Categories: Green Condos, Vancouver Real Estate
Buying a new condo? Geothermal heating will save you money.
Geothermal heating uses renewable energy and emits no greenhouse gases. It creates 75% less emissions than electric heating.
Solar energy is absorbed at the earth’s surface, from there it can warm the air. It is also transported downwards into the earth by conduction and washed downwards by rainfall. As you dig deeper into the earth the temperature becomes more and more stable until it approaches the temperature of well water…about 10 degrees C year round. This is called a geothermal reservoir. We then pump the heat by using a refrigeration unit to extract heat from the reservoir and supply it to the house or hot water. This is called a geothermal heat pump system.
This is the choice of Vancouver condo developers at present. I think the Shangri-la was the first pre-sale I remember offering geothermal heating.
Know of any other geothermal buildings? - Cielo, Donovan, Mantra, Lumen
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What You Don’t Know About Home Electronics Can Cost You.
February 1st, 2008 Categories: Green Condos, Vancouver Real Estate
Are you part of the PowerSmart energy saving program? I
f so, what ways do you save money on your hydro.
Home electronics are a luxury British Columbians enjoy on a daily basis. But many of us don’t know that our computer monitors, battery chargers and other electricity-dependent items continue to use power even when they’re turned off. The result: millions of dollars worth of electricity are wasted every year. The amount of energy home electronics consume in BC in one year alone is equal to the electricity needed to power Whistler-Blackcomb resort for the next 43 years.
There’s a simple solution.
Unplug and switch off your home electronics at the power source. This includes unplugging your cell phone, camera, portable video game and other battery chargers once charging is complete. Remember that, even when a device is removed from a charger, the charger itself continues to use electricity—phantom power—if you leave it plugged in.
Battery chargers aren’t the only culprit. A computer left on for 24 hours a day can add up to $120 to your electricity bill each year. If all families in BC that normally leave computer monitors on all day turned their screens off when not in use, enough energy would be saved to power every arena in the entire NHL for 62 seasons.
Consider replacing your old electronics with ENERGY STAR-labelled TVs, VCRs, DVD players and computers. When turned off, they automatically enter sleep mode, consuming 60 to 70 per cent less energy than non-certified models.
To learn more about Power Smart and Power Smart’s residential programs, such as mail-in rebates, the refrigerator buy-back program, ENERGY STAR windows, PST exemptions and Power Smart New Homes, visit www.bchydro.com/powersmart.
BCREA
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Vancouver’s Home & Garden Show Energy Saving Ideas
February 1st, 2008 Categories: Green Condos, Vancouver Real Estate
Many interesting energy saving ideas at the Vancouver Home and Garden Show
BC Hydro are offering Power Smart Mail-in Rebates for purchase of the following:
outdoor timers, dual rate energy meter, 8 outlet power bar with timer, UPM programmable thermostats, UPM 7 day programmable low voltage thermostat, touchscreen programmable thermostat.
In addition, Powersmart offer these tips to save energy: turn off the lights when you leave a room. Unplug your cell phone charger when charging is complete. Turn off your computer and printer when they’re not in use. Turn off your TV, DVD player and stereo when they’re not in use. Look for the ENERGY STAR symbol when choosing electronic appliances. Replace incandescent bulbs with energy efficient CFLs. Turn down your thermostat 1 degree. Wash your clothes in cold water.
They also offer a list of “No-Cost Options” and “Low-Cost Options” (under $50) to save energy.
Visit www.bchydro.com/powersmartfor more details on the above and all PowerSmart programs.
Have an energy saving tip you’d like to share with us?
Or found another Green idea at the Home Show you’d like to share?
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Which is Canada’s Greenest City?
February 1st, 2008 Categories: Green Condos, Vancouver Real Estate
Vancouver ranks top as Canada’s greenest city.
But we are only 24th greenest city in the world. Who’s #1?
Canada is the 11th greenest city in the world. Who’s #1? Who’s at the bottom?
Each Canadian emits 5 1/2 tonnes of greenhouse gases per year
In 1970 B.C. implemented the first mandatory deposit system for beverage containers.
Have a Green fact you’d like to share?
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Reducing Greenhouse Emissions at Home
October 8th, 2007 Categories: Green Condos, Vancouver Real Estate
Real estate sales and home ownership contribute to the economic unit social climate across BC. But real estate can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
BCREA, REBGV and Canadian Home Builders Association BC have responded to Minister Taylor’s question of how tax incentives could be used to encourage consumers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 33% by 2020 while maintaining a strong and competitive tax system, through a unique provincial pre-budget proposal to the Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services.
Built Green is a nationally based sustainability program, driven by the construction industry, that establishes standards for building new homes. The goal is to reduce a home’s overall environmental impact by producing homes that are more energy efficient. A Built Green home saves 2.5 tonnes in greenhouse gas emissions each year and improves interior home air quality. The program sets out criteria for achieving each of three certification levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold. CHBABC joined the program in 2005 forming built Green BC.
On average, a certified Gold home costs between 4-6% more than a convential house. CHBABC confirms that 400 Built Green homes were constructed last year and another 300 will be built this year. BCREA supports the idea of a pilot program to encourage the purchase of Built Green homes through a provincial tax incentive.
BCREA, REBGV and CHBABC are examining how buyers of Built Green homes could be exempted from paying the full Property Transfer Tax. Although the real estate profession looks forward to the PTT being eliminated or significantly reduced for all homebuyers, this pilot program would provide an opportunity for government and the real estate and construction sectors to evaluate the impact of tax incentives on consumer choice, affordability and environmental stewardship. Tax incentives for current homeowners who renovate their homes and achieve Built Green ratings could also be considered.
The program will be good for our economy, our environment and our neighbourhoods.
For more information visit http://www.realtorlink.ca/, http://www.chbabc.org/ and www.env.gov.bc.ca/air/climate
Do you live in a Built Green home? If so, would you share your experience with us? Do you have a Green idea for your neighbourhood?
REBGV
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October is Power Smart Month
October 8th, 2007 Categories: Green Condos, Vancouver Real Estate
Do you know you can get discounts on Energy Star Lighting? We did this in our condo and it saves money on our hydro bill.
BC Hydro will pay you $30 to pick up your old fridge or freezer.
You can save money on PowerSmart windows.
For more info, visit http://bchydro/powersmart
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