November has come and the cold has once again returned to Squamish.
Many of us respond to the change in temperature by plugging in a space heater or turning up our thermostats. But what if it were possible to heat one's home comfortably without combustion, high utility costs, or wasted energy?
Heading the concerns of environmentalists and budget-conscious homeowners alike, various Squamish builders are incorporating passive construction materials and techniques into their development projects.
In celebration of International Passive House Open Days, developers across Canada and the globe are opening their doors and inviting the public inside to get a first-hand look at the building process and passive living.
Passive House is a voluntary standard for energy efficacy that helps produce homes and buildings that require little energy for regular heating and cooling. While traditional buildings lose heat through small openings or poorly insulated walls, passive homes and buildings are specifically designed to seal heat in while still allowing fresh air to circulate. The final result, buildings that are much more efficient to heat, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective.
While Vancouver has a long history with passive construction, the trend is just beginning to take hold in Squamish. Those interested in learning more, or just seeing passive development for themselves are welcome to stop by the three passive projects here in town.
The first is a detached single-family home located at 39705 Clark Road. The home is still under construction, but the site will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Friday, Nov. 8 through the 10th. The second location is the Factor Building Panels factory at 39550 Government Road and is open Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The third project, a multi-family building known as Tarsem Haus, can be found at 1009 Aspen Road and will be open on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information about passive homes and local projects, got to www.passivehousecanada.com/passive-house-days/.
