Canada’s Carbon Footprint in Construction
2024-01-01
The cost of housing and climate change (drought, wildfires) were both “hot” topics during the 2021 federal election. They intersect but not in an obvious way. Does “affordable housing” have to mean built to minimum standards? How does that contribute to climate change goals?
Following the COP26 Glasgow conference on Climate Change, Canadian commitment to reduce carbon emissions faces a steep uphill climb. Canada has some of the highest per capita carbon emissions in the world. Some of this can be explained by our cold climate and low population density, but some is also based on lifestyle. Various strategies will have to be developed for the transportation sector and industry that need to recognize international competition and the reality of our geography.
However, our domestic building industry is completely different. It, especially housing, doesn’t compete with any other nation. Its emissions represent 12.4% of our total (NRCAN for 2019) but we have the technology now to cut that substantially in new housing. Canadian house construction technology is a world leader already, especially in areas of energy efficiency.
Yes, more energy-efficient housing comes at a cost, but reduced utility expense repays over and over, especially as energy prices rise (carbon tax, environmental regulation). We have an efficient consensus building code process that allows us to create national requirements for energy efficiency.
Furthermore, most building materials are produced in Canada, from studs to insulation. A dollar spent on more insulation circulates throughout the Canadian economy. And who puts it together but Canadian tradespeople.
Canada should plan an aggressive building code strategy to create new, highly efficient housing. Whether it is passive house, net zero or built green, the best practices should become the minimum requirement. It will reduce the operating costs for the occupants and contribute to CO2 reductions. It will employ Canadians in manufacturing and construction. The new technology developed can be translated into manufacturing expertise and exported. It’s a win all the way around.
There are several strategies that could be implemented today to change our energy consumption in the housing sector:
1. Use building codes to require more energy efficient construction. The technology exists (e.g. Passive House) already, it is simply a matter of requiring it, and training to implement it. The payback is lower energy costs for occupants, and a contribution to Canada’s carbon reduction goals. We already do this, we can do more.
2. Unit sizes could be reduced. For decades, average house sizes have increased while family unit sizes have decreased. Do we need all that space? This is not a topic for legislation but for market forces. Smaller but smarter designs cost less to build, offsetting the increased cost of more energy-efficient construction.
3. Change the ratio of fixed to variable energy costs for home heating and electrical service. A glance at a utility bill will show high levels of fixed administration and other charges. Sure, utility companies loved fixed charges, it guarantees a certain cash flow but offers little incentive for the utility company to become more efficient. For the homeowner, there is also little incentive to be more efficient. By shifting fixed costs into the variable energy cost, there is a huge incentive for builders and occupants to focus on energy efficiency.
4. Focus on lowering maintenance costs, extending the life cycle of housing to reduce carbon emissions. The insurance industry should be all over this. The hailstorm that hit Calgary a few years ago was one of the most expensive disasters in history for the industry. The simplistic approach of charging higher premiums for higher replacement costs actually promotes low quality construction. Discounts for hail-proof, fireproof, wind-proof construction would reduce their losses, reduce premiums, and reduce maintenance costs for homeowners.
Cube Development stands for Canadian Urban Building Evolution and our McKenzie Mews project in Medicine Hat is designed to meet some of the above objectives on a voluntary basis (nobody is making us do this!). Our units are smaller one and two bedroom layouts. Our building envelope includes both interior and exterior insulation, close to double the typical modern home. Our district heating and cooling is designed to minimize standby losses. Solar panels contribute the most energy when it’s needed most (midsummer cooling season). Our exteriors feature brick and impact-resistant stucco, fibreglass windows and doors and upgraded wind and hail resistant shingles. Now if we could just do something about those fixed energy costs!
