What Is A Green Building?

This blog is part three of the "2020 Green Building Movement Ontario” series.

A building that eliminates negative impacts, and can create positive impacts on our climate and natural environment, is also called a “green building”. A green building preserves natural resources and improves our quality of life.

A green building is not a specific building. It could be a school, a hospital or a home if it fulfills the requirements below:

• Use of renewable energy
• Efficient use of energy
• Indoor environmental air quality
• Non-toxic, sustainable and ethical materials
• A design that adapts environment changes

Over the years, our planet will begin to run out of certain natural resources that are needed in order for us to survive. This is the main reason why you hear everyone talking and focusing on green buildings. An ideal green building is a building that would allow you to preserve most of the natural environment around the project site.

Does It Cost Going Green?

Some think that going green will cost them more money, but is really a common misconception. It may cost you a bit more because green materials and products can be more costly, but this cost will return to you twice or more in a matter of time. Going green also means conserving energy and you will be able to save on energy costs.

Net Zero Homes.

A net zero energy home is a better version of a normal home. They are regular homes but so air-tight, well insulated and energy-efficient that they produce as much renewable energy as they consume over the course of a year. A net zero energy home is a combination of advanced design and superior building systems with energy-efficiency and on-site solar panels to produce a better home. They are healthy, quiet, comfortable and sustainable homes that are affordable to live in.

• Net Zero Energy Homes are Healthier.

The goal for your home is to protect you and provide a healthy environment to live in. You will breathe the cleanest air, enjoy the quietest indoor environment and feel the most comfortable temperatures because of the high standards of a net zero energy home.

• Net Zero Energy Homes Save You Money Day To Day.

If you compare a net zero energy home with a standard one, the cost of living is much lower. A net zero energy home will protect you from a rapid rise in energy bills. We believe that in the future, the price will be zero or close to zero while you keep your lights on and your family warm.

• Net Zero Energy Homes are Quality Homes.

As mentioned before, a net zero energy home is a better version of a standard home and more durable from the ground floor up to the roof. Different factors such as fresh filtered air and advanced window technologies ensure that our zero energy home is better protected and more durable than the average home.

How Spray Foam Contributes to Net Zero Homes.

The manufacturers of construction have been busy developing and improving products such as spray foam that can help meet the new standards. Spray foam insulation has been an important energy-saving tool for decades. Manufacturers are working to identify new ways of spray foam usage that can help buildings meet and exceed energy efficiency codes.

Spray foam insulation products provide thermal insulation and resist airflow so they help to neutralize almost half of a building’s energy loss. Net zero home uses polyurethane and spray foam on the exterior to save energy. A multifunctional product that can serve at various control layers in the building envelope that is why spray foam is an excellent choice.

When you use spray foam insulation many things can be improved such as:

• Air sealing
• Comfort
• Thermal performance
• Moisture control
• Structural Enhancement
• Storm resistance

Spray foam insulation is the right thing in the right place for net-zero designs and together with its high R-value, spray foam insulation offers an energy efficiency boost to net zero designs and construction. Not to mention the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. There are a variety of ways to get to net zero houses and spray foam insulation is just one building material that can contribute effectively to the desired result.

EcoStar Insulation has been increasingly participating in the building of net zero homes in the Greater Toronto Area. Ecostar’s mission is to provide insulation solutions that are affordable. Providing the highest quality of insulation by the most trained installers. Installers manage every job professionally guided by the Ontario Building Code, and by following manufacturer specifications.

Ecostar treats every home as a system that stops unwanted moisture from collecting and creates appropriate ventilation throughout a space. Ecostar is also being focused on satisfying customers’ needs, delivering the very best results when it comes to energy efficiency and home comfort through spray foam insulation.

Net zero homes the future of Ontario.

Net zero homes are not necessary only for the future but also for the present of Ontario. Ontario is planning to eventually make net zero homes standard for all new residential construction. Ontario’s Save on Energy program is planning to make houses that produce as much power as they consume. A home that was built years ago, though it had met the Ontario Building Code, nowadays that house would be tagged as a monster of energy consumption. We are having more extreme weather events and this might be the main reason why many governments are targeting 2030 as the date from when all homes must be built to this requirement. Ontario Building Code (OBC) goal is to make homes much tighter, far more energy-efficient, well insulated and have significantly lower energy usage.

Why Us?

We at EcoStar Insulation strive to provide the best quality products and the highest standard of expertise. Our team’s professionalism and experience goal is that you never have to worry about anything less than thorough and complete workmanship. Our team will guide you from the consultation to the execution stage. Contact us for your free estimate.