Habitat for Humanity GTA homeowners benefit from home design ‘brainstorm’ sessions
It used to be said that home equity amounted to treasure in the walls.
These days, you can say the same for energy efficiency measures.
An hour north of Toronto, a dozen industry experts gather with team members from Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area for a full-day workshop.
This group, joined by a representative of Enbridge Gas Distribution, has congregated with a single objective in mind—finding ways to improve the energy efficiency of 50 Habitat for Humanity homes that will soon be built for working, low-income families in the GTA.
“Design charrettes” like these—essentially, brainstorm sessions for homes in the early stages of development—examine all sorts of details, however small, that could make a big difference when combined.
Today, the charrette group discusses the impact of various mechanical heating and ventilation systems, windows, and building envelope materials. They experience a few “a-ha” moments, courtesy of a real-time analysis using energy modelling software.
The group also scrutinizes details like the construction process, volunteer skills and in-kind donations from corporate sponsors. The Habitat for Humanity GTA team impresses the design experts with its quality building practices—often doing more than the average private builder.
“Discovering efficiencies at this stage of the game means reducing homeowner operating costs, improving comfort and minimizing construction delays,” notes Ene Underwood, CEO of Habitat for Humanity GTA. “And the team also knows that for Habitat for Humanity families, a few dollars saved on energy bills every month can go a long way to making ends meet.”
Enbridge Gas has been a proud safety sponsor of Habitat for Humanity GTA since 2013. Enbridge Gas also organizes and sponsors these charrettes as part of its Savings by Design program, in keeping with its long tradition of helping customers use natural gas more efficiently.
Builders who can improve energy efficiency by 15% above the 2017 updates to the Ontario Building Code are eligible to receive an incentive of $2,000 per home from Enbridge Gas. More than 90 builders have gone through the Savings by Design program since its inception in 2012.
At the end of today’s session, the group from Habitat for Humanity GTA walks out with a set of design changes that can deliver 23% energy savings to Habitat families above and beyond the provincial building code.
They'll get a full report, courtesy of Enbridge Gas, that they can implement as they see fit. Once constructed, the homes' energy efficiency will be tested—and if it meets the program threshold, Enbridge Gas will deliver the incentive money to Habitat.
“By tackling the energy efficiency of new home construction, these workshops are transforming the marketplace,” says Ian Macpherson, Director of Market Solutions and Demand Side Management at Enbridge Gas, “and making sustainable living affordable for new homeowners.”
