There are a number of certifications for ‘green’ homes available in
Vancouver. Strangely, these certifications are only available on new
construction, no certification currently exists for older homes. But
older homes are by their nature ‘greener’ since they already exist, and
numerous techniques are available to upgrade and/or restore them
sustainably.
Currently in Vancouver hundreds of old homes are being demolished
every year for new construction. What if we could save some of those
homes, restore them with locally sourced materials, and materials
reclaimed from the other demolitions. Convert basements into affordable
rental housing. What if we went further, insulating the homes,
installing heat pumps and other energy saving technologies. Shouldn’t
these homes be certified ‘green’.
There is a lot of good that comes out of LEED, BuiltGreen, and the
other current certification processes, but they alone do not dictate if a
building is green. Consider an old fix-er upper or a restored home,
they can often be the greenest choice.
If you are looking to maximize the ‘green’ potential of your home, please be in touch for tips and guidance.
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