Going Beyond Net Zero in all our developments
Howland Green Building Systems
Howland Green prides itself on developing and using the world’s most advanced environmentally-friendly building system techniques and technologies to achieve our corporate mandate of “Beyond Net Zero” in any and all projects. Practices that have evolved from decades of experience and experimentation with proven results and tangible benefits for the entire planet.
Defining Beyond Net Zero
The global problem of climate change and the need for sustainability, even beyond the building process is vital to the long-term health of the planet. Energy, and the use of it, forms a major part of Howland Green’s philosophy and practical applications moving forward. Energy reduction is first and foremost followed by capture of energy from wind and sun. Often referred to as “Carbon Footprint”, the goal of going from Net Zero to “Beyond Net Zero” denotes that the impact of our development measures a reduction in overall global foot-printing.
Building Envelope
The Box
A major feature of Howland Green Building Systems is the upgraded Insulated Concrete Form (ICF). Howland Green has invested in custom made ICF which increases the walls from 2-5/8” of Expanded Polystyrene Insulation (EPS) on each side to over 4”. Which creates an estimated R42 value, approximately 3 times more than the Ontario Building Code guideline.
The Roof
Generally, a very large area and exposed portion to thermal transfer, Howland Green Building Systems maintain an R value of at least R80 with the use of high density ISO – 4 times more than the Ontario Building Code requirement.
The Windows
High quality triple glazed fiberglass, Low E Argon filled and photo sensitized to reflect solar gain in the summer and adjusts for absorption in winter. This is 4 times the standard.
Garage Openings
Enclosed entirely, thereby eliminating at least 80-100,000 KWHs of energy for ice/snow melt.
Lighting & Split-Level Lighting
The most current LED options available. Plus, motion-sensored lighting for hallways, and garage parking, keeping the minimum active until motion is detected.
Smart Basements
Basements are constructed using enhanced ICF construction eliminating the need for any auxiliary energy as very safe temperatures are maintained, despite the outside climate. Also, a “super bright” white paint is used in the basement (excluding flooring). The result is an 80% reduction in lighting requirements as the light refracts throughout.
Hot Water Storage
Through the simple effort of double wrapping hot water tanks, the “standby energy” required is reduced by 65%. The result is reduced energy for hot water consumption.
Decant Recapture
A new and proven idea whereby “spent energy” of hydro transformation and photo voltaic inversion is captured from the air and fed into the domestic hot water supply. Thereby changing a problem of excessive heat into a positive reduction in energy for hot water.
Geothermal Heating & Air Conditioning
By endorsing energy conservation at the beginning, the efficiencies of geothermal are multiplied, thereby taking the customary highest energy use in a building and reducing it to one of the lowest. Approximately 10% of the normal building.
Energy Recovery Ventilator
Standard use for efficient delivery of required fresh air.
Photo Voltaic (Solar Panels)
As the primary energy source, photo voltaic offers a large production capability tied into the electricity grid and fed through Load Displacement, administered by a sub-metering network to individual needs. On some projects (Howland Green Business Centre), energy beyond annual needs is offered to the grid at no cost, helping to reduce someone else’s footprint.
Electric Potential Storage
NiCad and Lithium options to carve away energy from solar production and used for electrical potential independent of the grid for constant common lighting.
Pneumatic Storage
Energy from solar production and kinetic harvesters compresses air into standby tanks for energy use in garage doors and exhaust fans. One more step towards site self-sufficiency.
Energy Monitoring
The collection of useful data regarding the nature of energy use within the building helps monitor actual real-world performance so adjustments can be made accordingly.
Low Flow Everything
Low flow toilets and showers utilize less water.
Appliances
All high efficiency.
Clean Water Harvesting
All roof water is collected and stored in large cisterns, filtered and then used for toilets.
Grey Water Harvesting
Surface water is collected from parking areas in large cisterns and then recycled for shrubs and plants and car washing after proper filtration.
Post Waste Recycling
Standard in all buildings.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Standard inside and out.
Bicycle Parking
Standard inside and out.
Howland Green Footprint Program
A new concept where carbon footprints are either partially or entirely offset through the efforts of the subject site under development. This could involve simple efforts such as changing light bulbs in a nearby store or school to installing free solar arrays or swapping archaic HVAC systems to geothermal. All in an effort to reduce the common atmospheric footprint. The possibilities are virtually limitless.
BENEFIT OF BEYOND NET ZERO
Beyond Net Zero = Net Positive which raises the bar when it comes to homes and buildings with a cleaner ecological footprint. Not only do these buildings save owners thousands of dollars, they also conserve valuable resources and leave a healthier planet for the next generation.
Copyright © 2022 Howland Green Homes Ltd. All rights reserved.