Monthly Archives: January 2012

CMHC Launches Condo Energy Efficiency Loan Insurance

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Bryan Purcell

A well planned energy efficiency retrofit will pay for itself. That’s why the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has launched a Multi-Unit Condominium Energy-Efficient Improvements insurance product. This new product is intended to expand access to financing for energy … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy efficiency, General, Green finance, High-rise energy efficiency | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

In search of social ventures with climate solutions

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Ben Marans

Can social ventures help solve our climate crisis?  Can we reduce greenhouse gas emissions while making a profit and building stronger communities?   In the fall of 2011, three organizations teamed up to put this question to the test.  Through the … Continue reading →

Posted in ClimateSpark, General, Green finance | Leave a comment

Design first, talk later

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Mary Pickering

I thought that I had pretty much already learned how to talk at about two years of age, but last night I started the journey anew during a workshop offered at the Ontario College of Art and Design – part … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged , design, design thinking, design with dialogue, dialogues, OCAD, sustainable cities, , Toronto | 3 Comments

Changing behaviours to reduce energy use: TAF-funded project gets recognition

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Julia Langer

It’s pretty obvious that how people use buildings affects how much energy building use. The latest ACEEE study takes a look at how programs designed to change user behaviour influences energy use. http://aceee.org/research-report/b121  This has been a popular topic lately … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Leave a comment

Will solar panels increase my property taxes? McGuinty Government says ‘No’.

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Bryan Purcell

The Green Energy Act and the Feed in Tariff (FIT) and MicroFIT programs have created a groundswell of interest in rooftop solar photovoltaic installations. Solar panel arrays have been popping up on all sorts of buildings, from single family homes … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Renewable energy, Solar Energy | Tagged , , Mircofit, , | Leave a comment