
About BEC Green
EdNoteIt will be BEC Green is on a mission to help homeowners understand green building materials where to buy them and how to use them to lower your home’s carbon footprint and operating costs (and sometimes look at some green living ideas).
So what exactly is “green building” and why is it so important?
According to the Canada Green Building Council, Canadian buildings consume up to 38% of all secondary energy use,
produce 30% of Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions, while
globally, buildings consume about 40% (or 3 billion tons anually) of all raw materials.
Wikipedia defines “Green Building” in the following way:
Green Building, also known as green construction or sustainable building, is the practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building’s life-cycle: from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and deconstruction.
Using fewer resources, building smaller, and increasing your building envelope’s insulating properties are all forms of green building, as is renovating instead of building new. Further, incorporating recycled or salvaged materials avoids energy intensive primary processing and eases the burden on our increasingly fragile natural resources.
Finally, creating a healthy indoor important is probably one of the most significant reasons moms look at using “green” materials in their homes. Green materials are also defined as those that are non-toxic and don’t emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are linked to health issues and respiratory ailments, particularly in children.
Ed. note: this is a publishing site and we provide information on products and services. Some of it is sponsored (paid) and some unsponsored – Sponsored posts are clearly indicated. It is important for readers to make their own evaluation of products and services. Read our full disclaimer here.
I love houses. More importantly I love green houses. Not “green” like the colour, or “green” as in where you grow your fruits and vegetables (well I do like those too…but that isn’t what this blog is about), but the new trendy, overused “green houses” that are well-insulated, more comfortable, easier to live and breathe in. And most importantly for some (me included), contrary to what you might think “green houses” don’t have to look like they belong in the 23rd century!
Green building is an emerging field and as more green building materials become available homeowners will have to become more educated about what’s green and what isn’t.
But while green houses can lower your carbon footprint, be healthier and more comfortable to live in, all the while lowering your heating and cooling costs, there’s no doubt that some of the measures are pricey. Whether or not you’re prepared to make the initial investment for the long-term gains will depend a lot on your budget and how long you plan to live in your home.
This blog highlights green building materials on the market and available for those living in the Greater Toronto Area. We’ll look at their pros and cons, their costs where possible, and where to track them down.
If you have any questions email me or post a comment.
Thanks!
Cathy Rust
email: cathy “at” becgreen.ca
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