Can a fake flame ever replace the real thing? I’m not sure yet, but the case for ditching my wood stove is getting harder to ignore. As someone who heats his home partly with firewood, I am aware of the ecological impact, as well as the impact on air quality inside my home and for my downwind neighbours. I live in a…

The showerhead wars are back - and this time, they're not just about water pressure, but about policy whiplash, climate inaction, and wasted taxpayer dollars. In a now-familiar twist of regulatory déjà vu, the Trump administration - newly returned to the White House - has moved once again to roll back federal water…

Home batteries for power storage from solar PV to during outages or to power a home during the nighttime makes homes more resilient, but are very expensive. The electric car in your laneway could potentially power your house as a backup, find out how. As we transition away from fossil fuels towards cleaner energy…

An in-depth look at the Liberal and Conservative housing plans, exploring challenges, industry obstacles, and opportunities to address Canada’s housing crisis and foster growth in the construction sector for affordable housing solutions. The challenges and opportunities in Canada's construction industry Canada’s…

Tips for home renovations for seniors and universal access. How to create safe comfortable living spaces for those with mobility issues. As the leading edge of the baby boomer generation is now closing in on 80, many are at the point of needing home care in some form, be it retirement communities or planning to age…

Canada's housing crisis and the path forward: how the Carney Liberal Government's push for affordable prefab homes could solve the shortage amidst construction challenges and rising tariffs. Canada has long struggled with a severe housing shortage, and the government has announced plans to address it with a major…

Low emissivity (low-E) coatings on windows reflect heat in and out of your home that can help to keep it warmer and cooler if they are specified correctly. Read here about why low-E glass can be a good choice for a high performance home. The challenges of specifying glass for windows, what are Low-E coatings? When…

Find bathroom renovation tips for universal access to help those with mobility issues, and to help seniors age in place safely. As the largest block of our population ages – the baby boomers – a quickly growing housing trend for home renovations is ‘age in place’ home modifications for seniors and anyone with…

Government funding aims to help Manitobans lower heating costs and reduce carbon emissions with energy-efficient heat pumps. New grants for heat pumps in Manitoba Homeowners in Manitoba have a new opportunity to upgrade their heating systems while saving on energy costs, thanks to a joint investment from the federal…

A comprehensive comparison of the most common insulation materials used for home construction, analyzing their embodied carbon impact, performance & suitability for construction applications & construction types, ranking the best of each insulation type. Introduction: Why carbon reduction matters in construction As…

Stone farm houses from the 1800s are beautiful heritage homes to restore. But how do you insulate a stone house and keep the interior and exterior appearance as they are? Well, that's tricky, but this guide will give plenty of good advice to follow. Should you insulate an old stone house? Those beautiful old stone…

Open cell and closed cell spray foam have different characteristics, as well as environmental impacts and health implications, which is best? Is either good? Let us guide you on how to choose between open cell and closed cell spray foam. What is the difference between open-cell and closed-cell spray foam? Both open…

Explore the growing risks of building homes in flood and wildfire-prone areas in Canada. Learn how climate change is impacting housing development and the importance of sustainable, climate-aware construction practices to avoid future costs and damages. New report warns of rising risks for Canadian homes in…

The main principles of Net Zero house and Passive Solar house can be applied to the same house. We've decided to compare them, as a way of getting to the bottom of the issue. The Net Zero Energy home. The concept of the Zero Energy home is appealing in its simplicity: a residence that generates as much renewable…

Under floor radiant heating is comfortable for your feet, efficient for your wallet, and great for indoor air quality. See the options for different types of electric wire radiant floor systems. Radiant underfloor heating in homes is a very efficient and comfortable method for heating a home. There are different…

If you're unfortunate enough to have a basement that flooded, or that floods regularly over the years, this guide gives our top tips and information on how to rebuild a finished basement to make it more resilient to water damage in the future. Building a flood-resistant basement: Simple, sustainable solutions for…

Solar power generation is an integral part of transitioning away from fossil fuels. But do we have another environmental disaster looming when solar panels reach their end-of-life? Find out how to recycle solar panels. Recycling solar panels - a growing need The need to reduce carbon emissions to slow runaway…

Long term exposure to high levels of radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Find out if your home is in a high risk area and how to fix it. National radon gas maps and database of high risk areas Researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health have mapped out radon hotspots having…

Ever talk about a topic you know well, only to realize halfway through that the other person has a completely different understanding of the terms you're using? This happens to me often when discussing building design, insulation, and insolation. Is it spelled insulation or insolation? A clear guide to knowing the…