…with the appropriateness of green technology and grants available for owner-builders/single family homes. (Although the truly green among us would ask, “Why are you building a single family home? Aren’t we all about increasing density?”)
Two bits of research have generated this frustration.
ONE: For the roof of my studio building, our engineer is trying to design a roof structure that will best support a garden. I have been looking for some technical info about how we might organize the materials to go on top of whatever roof structure he devises for the weight loads. I have contacted BCIT’s Centre for Architectural Ecology and Light House Sustainable Building Centre, to see if there has been some research about the best materials to use in our climate, and a relative cost comparison (assuming adequate structure of the walls/roof. It’s our intention to use insulated concrete forms for the walls.) Both organizations referred me to one of the several businesses that design green roof systems. I’m frustrated that there is no data our engineer can find easily about this, thus avoiding hiring a separate consultant who will, I believe, sell us his/her “system” of containers and moisture barriers, when a simple and inexpensive solution for putting a garden on a roof would do. The fact is: almost all of the green roofs are built into developments and commercial/municipal buildings, so the economies of scale would justify/dictate hiring a consultant and buying the system.
A BCIT model
TWO: There are many grants for retrofitting your home with Energy Star windows, insulation, energy-efficient appliances, but few for new construction. There are grants for solar/green systems for developments of 20 or more homes but the single new home builder is given little encouragement by way of incentives.
One exception to this: Solar BC will assist in accessing grants for solar hot water heating systems, as long as you use a certified installer from the list on the web site.
ecoAction Canada lists the federally-funded grant programs, mostly for renovations. (You have to wade through lots of pictures of Stephen Harper announcing some “new” Climate Action move by the Conservative government – I can only hope that the Copenhagen talks will step up Canada’s fiscal encouragement for people like us who are currently forking out the total cost to be green home-builders.)
Home Performance lists grants available in your part of the country. The site doesn’t feel all that well-updated, but is a start.
BC Hydro has a grant program for getting rid of old fridges and for buying Energy Star appliances. Small potatoes, but it’s something. The Consortium for Energy Efficiency lists the super-efficient appliances which qualify.
That’s what I’ve come up with so far.
