Manufacturing a Sustainable Journey
GAF Materials Corporation
Martin Grohman, Director of Sustainability
In manufacturing, sustainability is a journey, not a destination. It’s really about core business concepts like efficiency and the wise use of resources. As North America’s largest roofing manufacturer, GAF is continuously working to become more sustainable by evaluating the use of energy, resources, and raw materials.
One of the advantages of having a large number of plants and national reach is that it provides more opportunity for sharing ideas across locations, areas, and functions. Our team has focused on collaborative efforts between plant sites — checking in with each location to discuss ideas and best practices, and finding ways to share those ideas between sites using the company’s internal Sustainability Action Center (a corporate intranet site devoted to all things green).
The success of these efforts is evidenced in GAF’s recent announcement that all of its roofing plants now recycle manufacturing shingle waste, diverting thousands of tons of materials from landfills, annually. Efficiency of logistics and supply chain is also an opportunity. Sustainability improves operational flexibility, operational effect, saves logistic burden and saves costs, and delivers a wider environmental benefit.
At its core, sustainability is really about efficiency, the wise use of resources, and minimizing energy use.
Trends in Thermal Imaging
Meltech Thermal Imaging Inc.
Gordon Melvin, CET, GSC
As a project manager, designer, home builder, renovator, and inspector in the residential and commercial/industrial construction industry, I have been gratified to see the growing trend towards energy efficient building practices. Buyers are increasing the professional level of pre-purchase inspections of the buildings before they purchase, and contractors and builders are required to “prove” that their building and/or renovation work is meeting local energy efficiency guidelines.
One trend is to use infra-red cameras to perform “thermal imaging.” Thermal imaging can be used to ensure that there is minimal air leakage within the building envelope, no missing insulation within the cavities of the exterior walls or attic spaces, or that heat supply lines are properly sealed with no obstructions.
Thermal imaging can also detect hidden problem areas before they become expensive repairs. Examples of using thermal imaging in preventative maintenance include: Electrical equipment and panels for overloaded breakers, switches or fuses, loose or corroded connections; HVAC operating systems such as the mechanical and heating equipment and heating systems, ventilation ductwork or in-floor heating lines; building envelope items such as roofs, walls, floors and foundations for water or air leaks; rodents or ant infestations; missing, settled or damaged insulation; and mould issues.
The Next Step: Zero Energy Homes
Love Energy Consultants Inc.
Peter Love, President
Canadian home builders have been world leaders in building energy-efficient homes, led by the many R-2000 builders from across the country who have been certifying their homes since the 1980s and continuing with the EnergyStar builders of today. It is now time to take the next step, albeit a big one, to Zero Energy Homes.
Up until just a few years ago, such off-grid homes were rare, owner-built and received relatively little publicity. But, recently, leading production builders have built about a dozen such homes across the country, from the Atlantic Provinces, to Ottawa, British Columbia, and even in Edmonton.
In the European Union, all new buildings constructed will have to be “nearly zero-energy” by 2020; in the UK, they are required to be carbon-neutral by 2016. In the US, a widely-supported coalition of building architects/experts has issued the 2030 Challenge of having all new buildings carbon-neutral.
It’s time for Canadian builders to demonstrate their international leadership again. Make your next home a Zero Energy Home. Learn from this and then build a few more. And then work toward making this your own standard. Your home buyers will love you every time they open their energy bills in the future.
Communal Living: The Multi-Generational Reality
Masco Canada
Anita Griffin, Marketing Brand Manager
As a leader in the Canadian plumbing industry, Masco Canada continually researches how and why Canadians live the way they do. The recent shift towards several generations of families living under one roof — which will continue in the years to come — has altered what Canadians are looking for in their homes, and has greatly impacted product and home design.
The multi-generational home is the new reality for many Canadians. Grandparents, parents, grandchildren and even aunts and uncles are living under one roof. Consequently, the home is no longer about individual space, but communal living.
People are looking for, and creating, open-plan, communal spaces in their homes, where the family can gather and spend time together, while bedrooms and other private spaces are shrinking in size.
Concerns over economic uncertainty have resulted in people staying home to entertain instead of venturing out. As a result, large kitchens that open into the family’s living and gathering room are in demand. Advances in the design and functionality of small appliances and fixtures make at-home entertaining and lounging more comfortable and include things like faucets with touch technology, double ovens for efficient meal preparation and built-in bars.
Building Talent: Connecting with Generation Z
Summit Search Group BC
Dan Brown, Consultant
Managing staffing levels presents a significant human resource challenge in most industries and sectors. For the home building industry, the challenge is compounded by continual shifts in the cost of building materials and the common practice of “employee theft” amongst competitors. With a new generation of talent emerging into the workforce, how can companies attract Generation Z into the home building industry?
Generation Z is a highly connected generation, accustomed to fast-paced communication through instant messaging, text messaging, and social media channels. With this in mind, companies need to move faster in order to attract potential young candidates. Even if a hire decision has not been made, a simple message to update candidates on the status of the process can make a large impact.
On the flipside, the extreme connectivity of Generation Z should warrant extra due-diligence on the part of hiring managers. If a young candidate has a poor interview experience (i.e. an interviewer shows up late or lacks enthusiasm), the candidate can use their social media skills to broadcast their negative experience to large social networks. Generation Z presents new facets to recruitment — something all companies need to keep in mind when trying to attract young talent.
Leading the Charge to Net-Zero
Net-Zero Energy Home Coalition
Sonja Winkelmann, Executive Director
As interest in Net-Zero Energy Homes continues to grow, the efforts of the Coalition continue to respond to the needs of the residential construction industry. Watch for national projects focused on the following topics: definition and metrics; monitoring and verification; integrated design process; building envelope systems; energy simulation and design tools; renewable energy systems; training and education; market information and education; and financial framework.
The Coalition and its supporters are helping advance new economic opportunities to home builders, building product suppliers, utilities, financial institutions, real estate and mortgage companies, engineers, the architecture community and renewable energy sectors. We are looking for industry champions who will help leverage the Coalition’s successes by supporting our continued outreach activities and advocacy for policies, programs and support measures that will expand demonstration projects, accelerate NZEH deployment across Canada and ultimately provide smarter and cost effective energy solutions for homeowners.
We invite you to join our growing list of industry leaders, innovators and trailblazers sharing in a vision and growing movement that has become a catalyst for transformation in Canada’s residential construction marketplace.
