REAL VALUE » energy efficiency

Water-Efficient Toilets

cmhcauthor — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 23:17:55 +0000

Don’t Flush Wasted Water — or Money — Down the Drain

Whether you’re buying a new home or just doing that bathroom renovation you’ve always dreamed of, choosing the

A high-efficiency toilet can help you save money, protect the environment and conserve water, all without sacrificing performance or peace of mind.

right toilet can be one of the most important — and most often overlooked — decisions you’ll have to make.

A high-efficiency toilet can help you save money, protect the environment and conserve water, all without sacrificing performance or peace of mind. With more than 1,000 different models to choose from, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) offers the following tips on how to find the right toilet for your family:

Water efficiency and performance:

To minimize your water use, consider buying a high-efficiency toilet. Newer toilets flush with 6 litres while high-efficiency toilets can provide adequate flushing performance with an average of no more than 4.8 litres of water per flush.
Decide what kind of toilet will best suit your budget and family. One-piece toilets, for example, are easier to clean, but they can also be more expensive and harder to install. Other options that don’t generally impact performance include round versus oval or elongated bowls, single- or dual-flush models, and gravity or pressure-assisted toilets.
To ensure both water efficiency and high performance, look for a toilet with a WaterSense (WS) or Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Supplementary Purchase Specification (SPS) rating. These ratings ensure that the toilet meets a certain minimum standard of performance, quality, durability and efficiency while flushing with 4.8 litres of water or less.

Other considerations:

Measure the distance from the wall behind the toilet to the centre of the floor flange to make sure your new toilet will fit into your space before you buy it.
If you’re tall, or have bad knees or a disability, you may want to buy a comfort-height bowl, which is slightly higher than a regular bowl.
Depending on your home and the climate in your area, you may also want to buy a toilet with a lined (insulated) tank, to help prevent condensation, or “sweating”, during the summer. Ask your local toilet installer or retailer what’s recommended for your area.

For more information or a free copy of the “About Your House” fact sheet Buying a Water-Efficient Toilet, or for information on any other aspect of owning, maintaining or buying a home, visit our website at www.cmhc.ca or call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642. For over 65 years, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has been Canada’s national housing agency, and a source of objective, reliable housing information.

Wind Turbines Effect on Real Estate

Marcus Assalone — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 01:03:25 +0000

Ontario’s rapid growth in environmentally friendly energy generation projects, namely wind power, is coming under scrutiny by a number of people who own property near rural wind farms.

They maintain that the wind turbines are ruining their enjoyment of the countryside, scaring away wildlife and have become a source of noise, vibration and visual effects that are having a negative impact on their health.

Photo Courtesy of Patrick Finnegan

Government studies here in Ontario and elsewhere around the world have studied the issue. They have seen evidence of people who are unable to sleep, have ringing in the ears, nausea, dizziness and headaches. However the scientists are always unable to link these symptoms to the wind turbines because government guidelines establish minimum distances that residential buildings need to be from the turbines, and from these distances the noise and vibration are not significant enough to cause their problems. Maybe the symptoms are the result of a compounding of minor irritants day after day, like the straw that broke the camels back.

The only serious problem scientists found with the wind turbines is the potential for ice from a propeller, or a piece of a propeller, or a propeller its self, through mechanical failure being thrown from the turbine and striking someone. Another problem with bats being unable to properly navigate the high pressure and low pressure air surrounding wind farms leading to their death in a collision was solved by placing microwave transmitters around the farms. The bats are able to detect these signals and steer clear.

Maybe scientists in the future will find some problem that the wind turbines contribute to, something no one is thinking about right now. It could happen. So buyers of residential properties around some wind farms now have to sign that they will not hold the seller of the property liable for any problems resulting from the nearby wind turbine, known or unknown into the future.

It could be that it is something deep in our psyche that cannot handle something in the landscape that is moving. In primitive times it would suggest a predator is out in the wilderness so we should keep our guard up. People near these turbines at a deep psychological level are always on ‘high alert’ from a threat that never comes, maybe creating something like post traumatic stress disorder. I should be a scientist, it sounds plausible, don’t you think?

Certainly having a turbine near your property in a rural area is a stigma, much like knowing someone died in your house. Real estate near wind farms is selling for less and takes longer to sell.

I remember when I first saw the wind turbine at Ontario Place, it was jarring, but over time I got used to it. I don’t even think I notice it now. But, why do we have wind turbines anyway? They look so bizarre. If I were to build an energy generation project I would pick solar power over wind turbines any day. With the turbines, you are relying on a strong wind, which you probably won’t get all day long. But at least with solar, there is a good chance you will have a strong source of energy all day long. I suppose wind turbines have the benefits that they can still collect energy at night, and the land beneath them can still be used for agricultural purposes. I would still like to see how much power both systems generate, but I am leaning toward solar.

Additional sources: CBC News, Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) of Ontario

Home Maintenance Tips for Spring

cmhcauthor — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 00:56:56 +0000

Home Maintenance Tips for Spring

Protect Your Home — And Your Investment!

If you’re like most Canadians, your home is probably your most important investment. It’s also the place where you

In spring it is a good idea to examine the foundation walls for cracks, leaks or signs of moisture, and repair them if required.

and your family tend to spend a great deal of time. A regular schedule of seasonal maintenance can help you protect that investment for years to come, and help keep your home — and most importantly, your family — healthy, safe and sound all year round.

This spring, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has a short checklist of simple inspections and repairs that can help you put a stop to some of the most common and costly problems before they occur, in as little as a few minutes a week, including:

Check and clean your range hood filters on a monthly basis.
Make sure all outdoor air vents (intake, exhaust and forced air) are clear of snow and debris.
Test ground fault circuit interrupter(s) on electrical outlets each month by pushing the test button, which should cause the reset button to pop up. Press the reset button again to restore power.
Check your furnace and air-exchanger filters, and clean or replace them if needed.
Have your fireplace or wood stove and chimney inspected, cleaned and serviced as needed.
Shut down, drain and clean furnace-mounted humidifiers, and close the furnace humidifier damper on units with central air conditioning.
Switch on power to air conditioning, check system and clean or replace air-conditioning filter, if applicable. Have it serviced every two or three years.
Have well water tested for quality, and test for bacteria every six months or as required by local regulatory authorities.
Check smoke, carbon monoxide and security alarms, and replace their batteries.
Clean all windows, screens and window hardware. Repair any holes in screens or replace them if necessary.
Open the valve to the outside hose connection once any danger of frost has passed.
Examine the foundation walls for cracks, leaks or signs of moisture, and repair them if required.
Make sure your sump pump is operating properly before the spring thaw sets in, and ensure the discharge pipe allows water to drain away from the foundation.
Re-level any exterior steps or decks which may have moved due to frost or settling.
Check for and seal off any holes in exterior cladding that could be an entry point for rain or small pests, such as bats and squirrels.
Check eavestroughs and downspouts for loose joints and secure attachment to your home, clear any obstructions, and ensure water flows away from your foundation.
Clear all drainage ditches and culverts of debris.
Repair and paint fences as needed — allow wood to dry adequately before tackling this task.
Carry out any spring landscaping and, if necessary, fertilize young trees.

For more information or a free copy of the “About Your House” fact sheet Home Maintenance Schedule and other fact sheets on owning, maintaining or renovating your home, visit our web site at www.cmhc.ca or call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642. For over 65 years, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has been Canada’s national housing agency, and a source of objective, reliable housing information.