Flooding, year-round smog days, drought - the catastrophe
of climate change is prompting more and more of us
to consider ways to reduce our household energy consumption
and reliance on polluting energy sources. And that
is easy, attractive and cost- effective, even in northern
climates, with the use of natural building techniques,
renewable energy sources and smart conservation technology.
Renewable energy projects are becoming more common
across North America. Here are two examples of housing
in western and eastern Canada that are both highly
livable and extremely educational.
North American First in Alberta
In spite of its occasional warming Chinook winds,
the province of Alberta is cold in the winter. So
it is a great place to demonstrate how the use of
renewable energy can reduce greenhouse gas emissions
while providing a comfortable living environment for
residents. The small town of Okotoks, located 15 minutes
south of Calgary, is the location chosen for North
America’s first large-scale solar heating system using
seasonal storage, although the technology is well
known in Europe.
A subdivision of 52 homes is being constructed by
Sterling Homes in a project that has the support of
the federal Ministries of Natural Resources (NRCan)
and Environment, the Alberta Ministry of Innovation
and Science, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities
and a number of corporations.
Approximately 80 percent of residential greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions in Canada come from space and
domestic hot-water heating. An average Canadian home
produces approximately six to seven tonnes of GHG
per year. This project is estimated to reduce GHG
emissions for each house by five tonnes per year.
by Rolf Priesnitz
Article © Life Media
