Current Status - October 6, 2009

We have been cleared by the Committee of Adjustment and are waiting for our arbourist's report to supply to the city. The city will take their crab apple tree away and replace with a new native species!

Re-using our front bushes at the new house

We have successfully transplanted our 5 small shrubs across the street to our neighbours' house to be cared for during construction. We plan to 're-transplant' in the new landscape.

Bushes & deck find a new home!

After posting our 3 bushes & rear deck on "Freecycle", we have found a new home for the bushes in High Park and the deck was dismantled and moved to re-use in Barrie.

Lets do geothermal!

Based on ballpark figures from VT we have decided to pursue geothermal heating and cooling for our new home. We have payback figures of 7-10 years and know that it will be a great selling feature down the road. We have contacted 4 vendors for quote and hope to have a decision by December.

After seeing houses being successfully 'lifted and moved' in the country, I thought it was worth a try here. I put the house on Freecycle and said "Free 3 bedroom bungalow available but you must move it and have land for it". I had 30 people interested within the first hour but given it would cost $60K to move it and put down a new foundation, I was not successful in my endeavor.

I did get covered in the North York Mirror and a spot on City News " Toronto Homeowners Giving Away Their Bungalow" and we certainly gave it our all!

Village Technologies Report

After meeting with VT, they have made several eco and energy recommendations:

• Site plan: Consider light colour roofing and porous paving materials to allow for storm water to be reabsorbed.
• Building envelope: Metal roof and rough in pipes and wiring for future PV or solar thermal. Extend overhangs on south elevation, rigid insulation on underside of floor joists. Drywall/vapour barrier on garage ceiling. R3 or R4 windows. 24" on centre for wall studs, ICf for basement, InstaPanels (R14.5-R12) below the basement slab.
• Energy use: Use power bars to reduce 'phantom load (save 5-8% of energy use).
• Energy Recycling possibilities: Drain Water Heat Recovery recycle 60-70% of heat going down the drain -$1500-1800 installed. HRV to improve indoor air quality ie. bring fresh air in and exhaust stale air.
• Passive energy potential: Solar air collector outside of building: $3300 ROI 4-6 years
• Heating and cooling possibilities: Water to air geo system - approx cost $30K with savings over $3K per year. ROI is 14-16% for first year and payback in 5-7 years.
• Photovoltaic analysis: South and West facing recommended.
• Grey water recycling recommended - at least rough in
• Rain water harvesting - use a series of rain barrels; cistern and system quite $$$

Yes - we are building!!

After watching the real estate market in our neighbourhood and hoping for a deal, we have now decided to BUILD and can pursue our dream of building an eco-friendly, green home. Upon researching geo-thermal companies, I came across Village Technologies who do green consulting for new homes and renovations. We then paid them to do an ROI on several options for the new house.

THE SAD NEWS IS THAT THERE IS NO $$$$$ FOR ECO OR ENERGY PRODUCTS FOR NEW HOMES - THEY MUST BE RENOS!!! HOW FRUSTRATING!!!!

Nick Saccone is on board to design our house!

After doing ample research on architects and draftspeople, we are thrilled to be working with Nick Saccone of Trademarked by Design who designed a friend's house on Johnston and we love the layout!