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Thomas Dishlevoy is an Architect with offices in the Comox Valley. He is a LEED® accredited Architect and Living Building Challenge® ambassador. He has recently achieved certification as a Passive House Designer.

Tom has a passion for sustainable, energy efficient buildings and fully embraces the introduction of the BC Energy Step Code into the BC Building Code. The Step Code provides a pathway for all local municipalities to incrementally increase the energy performance of all their new buildings at their own pace. By the year 2030 all new buildings will be approved at Step Code Level 5, and capable of achieving a Net Zero energy use. Integral to the Step Code program at all levels is the introduction of mandatory energy modelling during the design stages and air tightness testing during construction. A Net Zero building uses such a small amount of energy for its heating and equipment that a very small amount of renewable energy produced by solar panels would see the building actually produce more energy than it uses.

The Passive House program already delivers buildings today that are equivalent to Step Code Level 5 in terms of energy efficiency. The Passive House program started in 1996 originating in Germany. It has been adopted all over the world as a leading “green building” program, including the City of Vancouver, which requires Passive House standards for all re-zoning projects since 2017, and will very soon require the standard for all new buildings. The city of Brussels, Belgium, since 2015, mandates all new buildings and major renovations to adopt the Passive House standard, revolutionizing their building environment in terms of energy use.

Thomas completed the “Passive House Designer” program in the fall of 2017, a 10 day intensive course covering the five basic tenets of Passive House that include: high levels of continuous insulation; air-tightness; the elimination of thermal bridges; high performance windows and doors; and continuous ventilation with efficient heat recovery. A Passive House Designer is trained in the use of the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) energy modelling software that allows the designer to analyze the building’s energy performance throughout the design process.

Thomas Dishlevoy, an accredited Passive House designer is located in Comox, on Vancouver Island, would love to talk to you about any aspect of a passive house design.

Contact him today at 250.339.9528 or info@tda.ca.

Elemental Energy Advisors (EEA) in the Comox Valley works with local cities, municipalities, builders, developers, and owner-builders to help implement energy-conservation strategies and systems in new residential properties. Owner Cristi Sacht and her team offer a wide variety of energy-efficiency consulting services complemented by extensive training and experience.

EnerGuide Labelling Service

EEA offers the EnerGuide Labelling Service, an affordable and recognized rating system administered by the Office of Energy Efficiency at Natural Resources Canada. Planning for energy efficiency during the design phase of a home is key to investigating options and making educated decisions. If you proceed with Energuide labelling, EAA offers an on-site visit once the home is built, including a building-envelope test to check for air leakage and ventilation.

Building for Energy Efficiency

Other options for energy-efficient construction programs through EEA include:

• Built Green BC;
• ENERGY STAR for New Homes;
• BC Hydro's Power Smart New Home Program; and
• Fortis BC's New Home Program.

The process of initiating these programs is simple, and the EEA team can begin the evaluation with nothing more than a copy of your building plans.

Additional Services

EEA is expanding their knowledge and services with the addition of a Building Envelope Evaluation and Efficiency Consultation package for existing homeowners. This services costs $150 and includes:

• a building-envelope evaluation with their blower door unit
• identifying areas of leakage and offering potential solutions; and
• presenting options to help save money on your utility bills.
• Have your options calculated in annual dollar savings and annual energy savings. 

Whether you're building a new home or renovating an older residential property, the EAA team can help you conserve energy and save money. Send your building plans or questions to info@elementalenergyadvisors.ca or call250.830.8000. Follow them on Facebook or Twitter as well.

New Eligibility Requirements for BC's Power Smart New Home Program, So Don't Miss Out on Available Incentives

Did you know that there are new eligibility requirements for BC's Power Smart New Home Program? Effective October 1, 2013, you must provide EnerGuide labelling within six months of your occupancy permit to be eligible for Power Smart incentives. Builders must achieve an Energy Guide rating of 80 and above to qualify for incentives of up to $200 per home for row houses, townhouses, and duplexes, and up to $2,000 per home for new single-family dwellings.

There is also an ENERGY STAR Package incentive in the amount of $150 per dwelling for installing the following four products:

• refrigerator;
• clothes washer;
• six CFL or LED bulbs (considered to be one product); and
• bathroom ventilation fan.

All four of these products need to be installed to qualify for the rebate. Dishwashers are no longer included in the offer.

The certified energy advisors at Elemental Energy Advisors can guide owner-builders and Vancouver Island new-home builders through building a more energy-efficient home. Their goal is to help reduce your utility expenses while conserving energy that benefits our environment. Set your real estate development apart by making it Power Smart! Contact Christi Sacht from Elemental Energy Advisors at 250.830.8000.

Elemental Energy Advisors (EEA) in the Comox Valley continues to work with local cities, municipalities, builders, developers, and owner-builders to help implement energy-conservation strategies and systems in new residential properties. Owner Cristi Sacht and her team offer a wide variety of energy-efficiency consulting services complemented by extensive training and experience.

EnerGuide Labelling Service

EEA offers the EnerGuide Labelling Service, an affordable and recognized rating system administered by the Office of Energy Efficiency at Natural Resources Canada. Planning for energy efficiency during the design phase of a home is key to investigating options and making educated decisions.

"An EnerGuide rating provides a standard measure of your home's energy performance, showing you and future buyers exactly how energy-efficient your home is," states Sacht. "The rating is calculated based on standard operation assumptions that allow you to compare the energy performance of one house to another. A rating of 0 represents a home with major air leakage, no insulation, and extremely high energy consumption, while a rating of 100 represents an air-tight, well-insulated, sufficiently ventilated house that needs no annual energy purchases."

If you proceed with Energuide labelling, EAA offers an on-site visit once the home is built, including a building-envelope test to check for air leakage and ventilation.

"Doing so ensures a healthy living environment," says Sacht. "Once the file is complete, we start the incentive application for you by filling in the majority of the data, and then you complete it."

Building for Energy Efficiency

Other options for energy-efficient construction programs through EEA include:

• Built Green BC;
• ENERGY STAR for New Homes;
• BC Hydro's Power Smart New Home Program; and
• Fortis BC's New Home Program.

The process of initiating these programs is simple, and the EEA team can begin the evaluation with nothing more than a copy of your building plans.

"We'll prepare a computer model, offer a no-obligation projected EnerGuide rating, and help you determine whether building with an EnerGuide 80 standard in mind is financially feasible after factoring in applicable builder incentives," says Sacht. "We make it simple and painless!"

2013 Energy Incentives

Incentives available for the rest of 2013 through BC Hydro and Fortis BC are still set at $2000 per single-family dwelling that achieves an EnerGuide 80 minimum rating. There are additional incentives for:

• appliance packages - $150;
• natural-gas-fired boiler - $1000;
• EnerChoice Approved natural-gas fireplace- $300;
• ENERGY STAR high-efficient natural-gas water heaters - $200 to $1000; and
• row houses, townhomes, and duplexes - $200 for achieving an EnerGuide 80 rating.

For builders completing several projects per year, the savings can really add up.

Additional Services

EEA is expanding their knowledge and services with the addition of a Building Envelope Evaluation and Efficiency Consultation package for existing homeowners. This services costs $150 and includes:

• a building-envelope evaluation with their blower door unit
• identifying areas of leakage and offering potential solutions; and
• presenting options to help save money on your utility bills.
• Have your options calculated in annual dollar savings and annual energy savings. 

"We'll calculate annual dollar and energy savings for you," states Sacht. "Knowledge is power, and that applies to your home as well."

So, build your home the smart way with EEA's team of Certified Energy Advisors. Whether you're building a new home or renovating an older residential property, the EAA team can help you conserve energy and save money. Send your building plans or questions to info@elementalenergyadvisors.ca or call 250.830.8000. Follow them on Facebook or Twitter as well.

After months of planning, fundraising, volunteer recruiting, and hard work, the Women Build component of Habitat for Humanity’s build project in Courtenay handed over the keys for its second Piercy Avenue duplex to the new owners.

The ceremony, held on October 26, 2013, was an emotional one, the realization of a dream that saw first light a mere 18 months earlier when Habitat Vancouver Island North presented the idea of a Women Build project to Cristi Sacht, owner of Elemental Energy Advisors, an energy-efficiency consulting company based in Courtenay. Sacht, who subsequently took on the role of Women Build coordinator, loved the idea of women helping women better their lives.

"People were absolutely ecstatic about becoming a part of this,” says Sacht. “The fact that it was the first Women Build in the entire province and we did it in our little town of Courtenay is absolutely fabulous.

When the initial goal of building one Habitat for Humanity home in Courtenay evolved into a three-duplex endeavour, Sacht realized she’d need an army of women to tackle the project. Nine teams, comprising six to 40 women each, have contributed thousands of volunteer hours since the project’s inception. Over $60,000 was raised, and monetary contributions have been complemented by in-kind donations of service and supplies.

The three-duplex project at 1580 Piercy Avenue is designed to give six local working families a hand up to own their own home. Families who receive a home must demonstrate need, have children, and spend 500 hours giving 'sweat equity' to build their home. In return, they own a home with no down payment and a no-interest mortgage through Habitat for Humanity.

Sporting their signature black overalls, pink hard hats, and pink shirts, Women Build teams worked on the duplexes from foundation to finishing. However, there was no shortage of supportive men on-site to help build or guide them through the inevitable rough patches. Some companies even donated entire crews of men to unite in the effort.

"It isn't about excluding men — it's about involving and empowering women," points out Sacht, who adds that generations of women have taken part in the build. “My girlfriend, her daughter, and her mom have built houses and been a part of major renovation projects. That's just the kind of girls they are.”

Four of the six families have taken possession of their new homes. Volunteers, both individual and corporate, are still needed to help complete the remaining two units. Landscaping and fencing the property will resume next spring, as will driveway paving. To volunteer, please call Habitat Vancouver Island North at 250.334.3777 or visit www.habitatnorthisland.com.

Set your real estate development apart by making it Power Smart!

Elemental Energy Advisors on Vancouver Island is reporting that BC's Power Smart New Home Program has new eligibility requirements. Effective October 1, 2013, you must provide EnerGuide labelling within six months of your occupancy permit to be eligible for Power Smart incentives. Developers must achieve an Energy Guide rating of 80 and above to qualify for incentives of up to $200 per home for row houses, townhouses, and duplexes, and up to $2,000 per home for single-family dwellings.

There is also an ENERGY STAR Package incentive in the amount of $150 per dwelling for installing the following four products:

• refrigerator;
• clothes washer;
• six CFL or LED bulbs (considered to be one product); and
• bathroom ventilation fan.

All four of these products need to be installed to qualify for the rebate. Dishwashers are no longer included in the offer.

The certified energy advisors at Elemental Energy Advisors can guide owner-builders and Vancouver Island new-home builders through building a more energy-efficient home. Their goal is to help reduce your utility expenses while conserving energy that benefits our environment. Contact Christi Sacht from Elemental Energy Advisors at 250.830.8000. For more information on the Power Smart New Home Program, visit BC Hydro's website.

Enjoy lower monthly energy bills by thinking about energy efficiency before and during the construction process of building your new home. Although it may seem an initial added expense, you'll reap the benefits of lower utility bills almost immediately. Even if you increase your mortgage to increase your home's energy efficiency, your monthly bills can still be lower than with less-expensive construction options.

Vancouver Island's Certified Energy Advisors at Elemental Energy Advisors can guide owner-builders and Vancouver Island new-home builders through building a more energy-efficient home. In addition, they can help you achieve an EnerGuide rating for your home that earns rebates of $2,000 or more.

Elemental Energy Advisors can work with builders to review house plans before construction to suggest ways to build a more energy-efficient home, as well as review heating and hot-water options. They provide a projected EnerGuide rating for a home and complete a building-envelope test once the home is complete.

A typical new home will qualify for the minimum rating of EnerGuide 80, which is required for the incentives, Get an EnerGuide rating for your new Vancouver Island home, save money on energy costs, and put money back in your pocket with help from the Certified Energy Advisors at Elemental Energy Advisors, Cristi & Kate. Building an energy-efficient home saves you money now and adds value to your home the day you decide to sell.

Special Invitation!

Christi Sacht has had several requests for another Air Leakage Demonstration and Energy Efficiency Workshop. If you're interested, please email her at cristi@elementalenergyadvisors.ca. Education is power, and educating ourselves on energy efficiency is good for all of us, particularly the environment! 

If you're a Vancouver Island homeowner or business needing residential or commercial plumbing, heating, or gas installation, turn to Archer Mechanical in the Comox Valley.

With just one phone call, Archer Mechanical provides plumbing, heating, gas, and complete mechanical installation packages for residential and commercial construction projects in Parksville, Qualicum, the Comox Valley, and Campbell River.

Archer Mechanical also provides fire protection and sheet-metal services.

During the last five months, Campbell River residents have lowered their monthly energy bills thanks to free home energy evaluations. Starting this month, low-income residents of Campbell River will find it easier to participate in the program.

Applicants to the city’s Leisure Involvement for Everyone (LIFE) program will also have an opportunity to apply for the Energy Conservation Assistance Program (ECAP), which provides qualified lower-income BC Hydro residential account holders with free home energy evaluations and energy-saving products. A Certified Energy Advisor from Elemental Energy Advisors on Vancouver Island can help you with these energy evaluations and recommend energy-saving products for your home.

One of the mandates of a Certified Energy Advisor is to identify problem environmental conditions that could be potential health risks. These include combustion-spillage susceptibility, inadequate ventilation, mold on interior surfaces, or the presence of pollutant sources. Certified Energy Advisors from Elemental Energy Advisors on Vancouver Island can give you the information and help needed to prevent or mediate these health risks. By evaluating your home as a system, Elemental Energy Advisors takes into account how changing one component can improve conditions throughout the house. These comprehensive evaluations ensure that the recommendations made by Elemental Energy Advisors are based on what’s best for your home; they can also save you money!

Contact Elemental Energy Advisors at 250.830.8000 to book a free energy evaluation for your home. They’re saving money, energy, and the environment one home at a time!

Elemental Energy Advisors announces an EnerGuide Plan Evaluation special offer for new home builders from Power Smart New Home CHBA (Central Vancouver Island).

BC Hydro & Fortis BC are sweetening the deal for new builders to work with a Certified Energy Advisor and review the EnerGuide for New Homes program. The goal is to provide builders a preliminary EnerGuide score from their architectural plans and mechanical specs at no risk - Elemental Energy Advisors invoices BC Hydro directly. This new offer covers one EnerGuide plan evaluation for a residential detached home per licensed builder. The offer does not include a blower door test, but this can also be completed by your Certified Energy Advisor, along with the final EnerGuide labeling. This new offer is valid now until Sept. 30, 2013, or until the funding is exhausted.

A Certified Energy Advisor from Elemental Energy Advisors will complete a HOT2000 plan evaluation for one home and an upgrade report for alternative upgrades to meet or exceed EnerGuide 80.  If the score is below EG80, the builder and the Certified Energy Advisor discuss options to raise the EnerGuide score to EG80. The advisor then provides a revised EnerGuide score with an upgrade report to achieve EG80.  

Know where your builds rate according to EnerGuide, a recognized Natural Resources Canada program. It's a win-win situation for new home builders transitioning into EnerGuide and energy efficient construction before the new Energy Efficiency BC Building Codes are released.

Contact a Certified Energy Advisor from Elemental Energy Advisors today to find out about this or other incentives, including blower door tests, EnerGuide Labeling and meeting the EG80 minimum for $2,000 in incentives. Call 250-830-8000 or email your questions/building plans to info@elementalenergyadvisors.ca and find out how to get your cash incentives for building energy efficient! It pays to EnerGuide Label with Elemental Energy Advisors on Vancouver Island.

Archer Mechanical offers the full mechanical contracting package of residential and commercial plumbing, heating, and gas installation for residential and commercial construction projects in Parksville, Qualicum, the Comox Valley, and Campbell River on Vancouver Island, BC.

With just one phone call, Archer Mechanical provides plumbing, heating, gas, heating services, and complete mechanical installation packages to homeowners and businesses. Archer Mechanical also provides fire protection and sheet metal services. 

Established in May 2009, Archer Mechanical “takes pride in everything they do.” Archer Mechanical offers competitive rates and discounts on multiple contracts. Doing their part to build green, Archer Mechanical installs high efficiency equipment like condensing tankless water heaters at cost. Contact them today at 250.331.3115.

At Elemental Energy Advisors, their main focus will always be always energy efficiency, but their certified energy advisors now say the often find themselves considering the air quality and environment of new homes.

"We find ourselves looking closer at ensuring our homes have a healthy living environment," says certified energy advisor Cristi Sacht.

New homes today are being constructed with a brand new BC Building Code which offers many changes to ensure a better build, she explains, but which has yet to launch the new Ventilation Requirements or Energy Efficiency Measures. These are forecasted to come into affect late 2013 or early 2014.

"Where does that leave us? Well we are finding that homes today are being built more air tight and that can cause come areas of concern, if the home does not have a balanced mechanical ventilation system," Sacht explains. "Combustion spillage can be a result, where combustion gases back draft into your home and is a serious health hazard. Combustion gases can contain toxic compounds and inhaling these gases can lead to health problems ranging from nuisance headaches to serious illness, including unconsciousness or death."  

Know the facts on your new home - have it EnerGuide Rated and Air Leakage Tested to ensure a healthy living environment for your family. To find out whether your home has combustion spillage, what your EnerGuide Rating is or to be eligible for cash incentives for building green, contact Elemental Energy Advisors on Vancouver Island today - call them today at 250.830.8000.

During the construction phase, building an energy efficient home may seem like an added expense, but you can reap the benefits of lower utility bills immediately. Even if you increase your mortgage to increase the energy efficiency of you home, your monthly bills can still be lower than with less expensive construction options.

Vancouver Island's Certified Energy Advisors at Elemental Energy Advisors can guide owner-builders and Vancouver Island new home builders through the process. In addition, they can help you achieve an EnerGuide rating for your home that earn rebates of $2,000 or more building an energy efficient home.

Elemental Energy Advisors can work with builders to review house plans before construction to suggest ways to build a more energy efficient home, and can review heating and hot water options. They provide a projected EnerGuide rating for a home, and complete a building envelope test once the home is complete.

A typical new home will qualify for the minimum rating of EnerGuide 80, required for the incentives. Get an EnerGuide rating for your new Vancouver Island home, save money on energy costs and put money back in your pocket with help from Elemental Energy Advisors' Certified Energy Advisors, Cristi & Kate. Let them do the work and put money back in your pocket, with energy efficiency incentives and immediate savings in your utility costs. Building energy efficient saves you money now and adds value to your home the day you decide to sell.

Elemental Energy Advisors' Certified Energy Advisors, Cristi & Kate will provide EnerGuide rating for your new Vancouver Island home, save you money on energy costs and put money back in your pocket. Home builders and owner-builders can receive $2,000 or more in incentives from BC Hydro and Fortis for building an energy efficient home.

Since the current energy incentives began in 2010, Elemental Energy Advisors have helped builders obtain more than $100,000 in incentives for building energy efficient homes.

Elemental Energy Advisors can work with builders to review house plans before construction to suggest ways to build a more energy efficient home, and can review heating and hot water options. They provide a projected EnerGuide rating for a home, and complete a building envelope test once the home is complete. A typical new home will qualify for the minimum rating of EnerGuide 80, required for the incentives.

Building Green can be cost efficient and rewarding for both builders and home-owners, and is made easier with help of Certified Energy Advisors at Elemental Energy. Let them do the work and put money back in your pocket, with energy efficiency incentives and immediate savings in your utility costs. It pays to Energuide.

Building energy efficient saves you money now and adds value to your home the day you decide to sell. Elemental Energy Advisors provides free consultations, to ensure the home is eligible for the incentives - contact them today!