Sustainability / Green Building & Sustainable Home Renovation Information & Advice

...sustainability. While the raw materials for traditional stucco (sand, lime, and cement) are relatively abundant, the production of Portland cement is a significant source of embodied carbon. Cement manufacturing accounts for roughly 8% of global CO2 emissions. For this reason, some builders are exploring alternative ma...

Spray foam insulation has gained popularity in North America as a go-to solution for improving energy efficiency in homes. However, as homeowners in the UK are now discovering, this seemingly convenient and cost-effective insulation method can come with significant downsides. The problems being experienced in the UK wi...

...sustainability. Conclusion: A call for informed decision-making in relation to spray foam insulation The environmental and sustainability claims often made about spray foam insulation deserve careful scrutiny, especially in Canada with Bill C-59, The Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023 (Bill C-59), which t...

Electric heating is the best option in Quebec. The downside? Winter peaks, where during cold winter days, the grid can become overloaded. Bi-energy heating systems address this problem by using another energy source, which unfortunately is often a fossil fuel. To reduce GHGs and meet environmental targets, fossil fuels...

...sustainability and value for money or future investment potential. Ultimately, the right choice for you will depend on your personal preferences, budget, and willingness to tackle potential challenges. Life is about choices, consequences, careful preparation (or not), learning (or not) and personal experiences, so my o...

The cleaner burning process (than diesel fuel) and price has made heating and cooking with natural gas quite popular in the last couple of decades. However, popularity put a pretty heavy dent in supply, so much so that alternative sources are being explored to meet demand. There are some potentially greener sources of ...