Better Builder Magazine, Issue 04 / Winter 2012

IN THIS ISSUE• Ani Bogovic Walks What She Talks
• Choosing the right HRV/ERV Part 2
• The Importance of Air Barrier Detailing
• PAPER: Property Assessed Payments
for Energy Retrofits
• The Better Half; Women in Building
ISSUE 04 | WINTER 2012
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Girls
Go Greenissue
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COVER STORY
14 Ani Bogovic Walks What She Talks
BY TRACY HANES

FEATURES
02 Publisher's Note - Girls Go Green
BY JOHN GODDEN
03 Women in the Industry
BY BRYAN TUCKEY
04 Choosing the Right HRV / ERV - Part 2
BY GORD COOKE
06 Q&A with Amy Lazar and Kristy Shortall: Planning
For A Sustainable Future
BY AMY LAZAR & KRISTY SHORTALL
08 Susan Clinesmith: A Lifetime of Achievement
BY ALEX NEWMAN
10 Shannon is Saving Energy at Work and at Home
BY JOHN GODDEN
12 Nancy Sherman: Dean Centre For Construction
and Engineering Technologies, George Brown College
BY NANCY SHERMAN
18 Trudy Puls: Can’t Pull The Wool Over Her Eyes
BY TRACY HANES
19 Yasmin Goodman: Not Just Another Décor Centre
BY TRACY HANES
20 Trick #2: The importance of Air Barrier Detailing
BY GREG LABBE
21 Lori Ann Tilley: The Big Smile of Building Products
of Canada

23 Laura Bonise: She’s Direct About Energy

25 Dawn Nigro President Henry Co. Canada Inc
BY TRACY HANES
26 Sonya Persram: PAPER, Property Assessed
Payments For Energy Retrofits

28
Stacey Featherstone: Panasonic’s #1 Fan
BY STACEY FEATHERSTONE
30 Angela Bustamante: Building Knowledge
Through Energy Rating
BY ANGELA BUSTAMANTE
31 Margaret Ward: Channel Consultant Enbridge Gas
Distribution Inc.
BY MARGARET WARD
32 Tracey Hanes: Writing Green and Living Green
BY ALEX NEWMAN
34 Karen Woodward: Decades of Dedication
BY KAREN WOODWARD
34 Elem Rinomato: President Torino Drywall Inc.

35 Agnes Haak: With Sustainable Homes We All Win
BY AGNES HAAK
36 The Better Half: Women in Home Building
BY DOUG TARRY

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GIRLS GO GREEN
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WWW.BETTER BUILDER.CA | ISSUE 04 | WINTER 2012
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2
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
The Girls Go Green
Here at Better Builder we have had quite a bit of feedback about the cartoon
that accompanied The Plane View in the last issue. The pie charts depict
how men and women think and act differently. Men are preoccupied with
sports and sex and women focus on relationships. It’s interesting to note
how those differences affect work and relationships in the residential
construction industry.
This month we are focusing on dynamic women in the industry. Among them
is Ani Bogovic. She has forged many relationships in creating WINC, Women
In Construction. WINC is an industry association that has made contributions
to organizations such as Habitat for humanity.
I have known Ani for years; we worked on a project together where she was
the driving force in selling 140 large custom production houses with energy
efficient upgrades. Many of these houses achieved a HERS 50 or less and thus
bolstered the Cross Border Challenge. This month we are featuring her current
building project, a custom infill house that gives Ani a platform to demonstrate
that she does “walk what she talks.” The house will exceed current
EnergyStar levels and achieve a HERS 49. This HERS score is 18% better
than building code.
I have enjoyed putting this issue together tremendously. I had the privilege to
be included in the Girls Go Green photo shoot and luncheon event that was
held at the Muddy Duck Restaurant in November. During the luncheon event,
surrounded by inspiring women, I was reminded of someone that played a key
part in my professional development.
In 1982 after finishing university, I attended an Owner Builder School called
Cornerstones in Bath, Maine. At 23, I learned how to cut a set of stairs and
frame a house from a female carpenter. I remember, as if yesterday, watching,
listening and learning from her; she was a person that was living her passion,
following her path. That experience inspired me to follow my own path toward
building sustainable houses "step by step".
On a different note, I want to take the time to address a point that was made
in the article Green Rater: The New Kid On The LEED Block, published in the
last issue. The article included a comparison chart of various green rating
labels. EnerQuality's GreenHouse was reported as difficult to use. I recently
took a GreenHouse course in EnerQuality’s second version. I'm glad to say
that it has been greatly improved since its pilot and is much easier to navigate.
Lastly, please note that though they are men, we have
included a few of our valued regular contributers in this
issue. Bryan Tuckey celebrates women in the industry,
the second part of Greg Labbe’s article on air barrier
detailing is included and Doug Tarry contributes The
Better Half: Women in Homebuilding, completing the issue.
I wish you all a healthy and happy holiday season. We
are looking forward to bringing you the spring 2013 issue
of Better Builder: Future Proofing. Enjoy! JOHN GODDEN

BUILDER NEWS
Since this edition is about women in the industry who are innovative,
educated and knowledgeable in sustainable building practices,
it is no surprise that you’ll find BILD member Kristy Shortall, of
MMM Group being interviewed by BILD Manager of Communications
Amy Lazar in the pages to come.
Kristy is active in our Association, sitting on numerous committees,
including the Green Leadership Committee and Amy is the BILD
staff liaison for the committee. Both work with Chair Craig Marshall
and a committee of about 20 members to bring the latest information
on green technology, sustainability policies and initiatives back to
the Association and its membership.
They join a long line of influential women in BILD’s history. We
have six women on our Board of Directors and we have two female
vice presidents at BILD, Helen Batista and Paula Tenuta. The
Association has had two female presidents, Mary Lawson of Dalerose
Homes and Julie Di Lorenzo of Diamante Urban Corporation. Mary
has also served as president of the Canadian Home Builders’
Association – a first for them too—and she was the first woman
inducted into BILD’s Hall of Fame. In 2006, when two associations merged to become what is now BILD, one of them was
the Urban Development Institute and Lucy Stocco of Tribute Communities was the Institute’s Chair from 1994 to 1996.
In 2010, BILD and the Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC) established a partnership, due in large
part to BILD member and CAWIC President Tammy Evans, who is a development lawyer with Blaney McMurtry LLP.
Tammy recognized that the two Associations had a lot in common: both support the future leaders of the industry with
targeted student bursaries; both provide career and networking opportunities; and both encourage their members to
fundraise for Habitat for Humanity Toronto.
In addition to the Green Leadership Committee, BILD has a Green Policy Statement, we work with EnerQuality to deliver
training to our members and we support local and international sustainability conferences. We also recognize our greenest
builders every year at our awards ceremony and have included a section on environmental stewardship in our strategic plan.
This magazine edition will highlight more of the good work women in our industry are accomplishing in the area of
environmental stewardship and sustainability—and as you’ll learn from Kristy and Amy, BILD and its complement of
female leaders are no exception.
BRYAN TUCKEY
3
BRYAN TUCKEY IS PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE BUILDING INDUSTRY AND LAND DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (BILD) AND CAN BE FOUND ON TWITTER (TWITTER.COM/
BILDGTA), FACEBOOK (FACEBOOK.COM/BILDGTA), YOUTUBE (YOUTUBE.COM/BILDGTA) AND BILD’S OFFICIAL ONLINE BLOG (BILDBLOGS.CA).
Women in the Construction Industry
AMY LAZAR & KRISTY SHORTALL

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BUILDER NEWS
Choosing the Right HRV / ERV
PART 2
In the last issue I reviewed two factors for choosing the
correct HRV/ERV: the right ventilation capacity and the
energy effectiveness you need.
Ventilation is an important element for the prevention and
resolution of indoor air quality problems in both new and
existing homes. All homes need the capacity for delivery of
fresh air. We used to rely on operable windows for this capacity
but since 1990 in Ontario, the building code has recognized
that windows are unlikely to be opened often enough to
ensure a reliable supply of fresh air. For this reason they
added the requirement for builders to provide a mechanical
ventilation solution in all homes. While there are simple
options like continuously operating bathroom fans, more
and more builders, HVAC contractors and even homeowners,
are recognizing that a more sustainable approach to providing
the capacity for continuous ventilation is a packaged heat or
energy recovery ventilation device (HRV or ERV).
Of course the obvious question might be how does one
choose a unit from the over 250 HRV and ERV models currently listed on the Home Ventilating Institute product directory
site (www.hvi.org). Now let's proceed with the last three criteria for choosing the proper equipment.
3. Choose the Right Recovery Core Technology for Your Application
The difference between HRVs and ERVs is in how they handle the water vapour in the exhaust and supply airstreams.
HRVs are made of impermeable plastics or aluminum and therefore there is no moisture exchange between the two
airstreams. This is ideal if you are trying to get rid of large amounts of moisture in winter (say in small homes with high
occupancy) and where there is limited air conditioning being done in summer. ERV cores are made of permeable
membranes that can exchange or recover about half of the moisture difference between the supply and exhaust air. Thus
in winter, some of the moisture that would have been exhausted outside is returned to the house and in summer some of
the humidity in the outside air will be returned back to the outside through the exhaust airstream. ERVs are very useful
in larger homes with smaller occupancies that tend to be too dry in winter or in southern Ontario locations where the
summer humidity load of ventilation is taxing to the air conditioning system. Both technologies can work in Ontario as
long as the units are listed in the HVI directory for cold weather performance, -25°C for example.
4. Choose the Most Appropriate Duct Configuration for Your Application
Manufacturers often offer units with similar air flow and energy performance that have different ducting or size configurations.
Units with ducts off the top or ducts off the side, vertical units or horizontal ceiling mounted units are widely available.
Choose a unit that best suits the space constraints for your application. This can be particularly important in existing
houses with restricted mechanical room size or in multi-family buildings. In some cases the ducting configuration may
trump other decisions such as the core technology choice, if ERVs are not offered in all configurations. Look for a
manufacturer that offers a wide range of ENERGY STAR labeled units in different shapes and duct configurations, so you
are not having to switch brands for different styles of homes.
5. Choose from the Great New Control Strategies Available
One of the best advances in HRV/ERV technology over the last few years is a much greater choice of useful, understandable
GORD COOKE

BUILDER NEWS
controls. Much like thermostats, ventilation
controls are responding to homeowner
desires for easier to understand operation.
The typical dial dehumidistat that no one
knew how to set is being replaced with
digital smart controllers that make seasonal
adjustments to ventilation rates based on
outside temperatures and inside humidity
levels. Some controls are programmable
to daily lifestyles, to allow for continuous
fresh air when occupants are at home and
intermittent flush out of stale air while they
are away. Others offer simpler versions
of this idea – continuous and intermittent
buttons with indicator lights showing the
operation mode. Often the lower cost basic
models will not accept the higher class of
controls. It is still the case that HRV/ERV
manufacturers use proprietary, custom
controls – you can’t mix and match
controls from one manufacturer with units
from another. There are a few types of
traditional branded thermostats that have
limited ability to control some HRV/ERVs,
but typically you only get full functionality
when using the appliance manufacturers’
control options.
In summary, after following the 5 steps to
choosing an appropriate HRV/ERV for your
home, choose a trained, professional HVAC
contractor who will commit to installing
and balancing the unit in accordance with
manufacturer’s specifications. The number
one deficiency in the ENERGY STAR for
New Homes program remains improperly
installed / balanced / interlocked HRVs. Be
sure to write it in your scopes of work that
these important steps are taken.
Now that you have narrowed down the
appliance choices and the right installing
contractor, you can start to negotiate a
fair price but not before this basic work is
done. Make it easier on yourself by
choosing ENERGY STAR labeled products
only. This eliminates about 60% of the
lower end units that often don’t meet code
or program requirements and ask the
manufacturer if they have a certification
program for qualified installers.
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6
BUILDER NEWS
Amy’s question: Tell the readers a little about yourself,
your training, what you do at MMM Group in the area of
sustainability?
Kristy’s answer: I am a senior planner in the Planning and
Environmental Design Department and an Associate at the firm.
I did my undergraduate degree in geography with an urban option
at Laurier University and a Master’s of Urban and Regional
Planning at Queen’s University, where I specialized in real estate
and urban development.
Since starting at MMM Group, I have had the pleasure to work on
a variety of different projects for private and public sector clients
from developing secondary plans, market trend assessments to site
plans and draft plans of subdivisions.
At MMM, we integrate sustainable design approaches into every
project, tailoring the application of sustainability to the local
conditions and our client’s needs. It is truly an inherent part of
the custom solutions we develop for our clients in order to meet
specific project goals and overcome challenges.
Amy’s question: Why is this area of planning and development interesting to you?
Kristy’s answer: Sustainability is about meeting the needs of both the present and the future through clear thinking
and sound planning. As a professional land use planner, sustainable development must not be a catch phrase, but
something that is inherent is all aspects of our work. For this reason, I don’t really see sustainability as a specific aspect
of planning that is of interest to me, but rather something that is important in my work in order to develop strategies for
long-term success.
Amy’s question: You are a member of BILD and you sit on its Green Leadership Committee. What are some of the
benefits of your involvement with BILD and the Green Leadership Committee?
Kristy’s answer: I think the biggest benefit is the reality check it provides me. As a planner, we think at a macro
level and we are responsible for developing and creating sustainable concepts, goals, objectives and policies that
eventually impact how development is built within a community. Sitting on the Green Leadership Committee, you
realize that developers have the same interests as you—to build a great community—but they think at a micro scale,
lot by lot, project by project. This Committee bridges the gap and helps individuals in all aspects of the development
business to understand each other’s needs as it relates to building sustainable neighbourhoods.
Amy’s question: Since this magazine edition is about women in the construction industry who are working toward
sustainable building practices, what do you find is the most challenging part of being a woman in the industry?
Kristy’s answer: To be honest, that has never been an issue for me. I tend to speak my mind regardless of the company
I am in. I don’t really see the issue of sustainable building practices affecting men or women differently. It is more an issue of
developing a clear vision and objectives, as well as a consistent and understandable language to communicate that vision.
AMY LAZAR & KRISTY SHOR TALL
Q&A with Amy Lazar and Kristy Shortall
PLANNING FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
BILD’s Manager of Communications Amy Lazar sat down with Green Leadership Committee member and MMM Group’s Kristy
Shortall to talk about sustainable building practices and the challenges and opportunities facing the industry right now.
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Amy’s question: What do you find challenging about encouraging sustainability best practices right now?
Kristy’s answer: I think the most challenging aspect of encouraging sustainability is the language that is
being used. A lot of people ask, “what is sustainability” and “what is sustainable development?” There are a lot of
different answers to those questions. There is the common reply of the Brundtland Commission, which defines
sustainable development as “development which meets the needs of current generations without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” But the term “sustainable development” can mean all things to all
people.
I am not sure how to overcome this challenge per se, but as a first step, I believe it is important to have consistency in
sustainable approaches and to ensure that sustainable practices are flexible, not just imposition of regulations for the
sake of regulating.
Amy’s question: What advice would you give to someone just entering the field?
Kristy’s answer: Urban planners, regardless of those just starting out or those getting more involved in sustainable
development, must consider a variety of different design principles and techniques. From smart growth to new
urbanism, from infill to the rapid pace of Greenfield development, from energy efficient buildings to infrastructure, these
and more should be considered in all aspects of their work. It’s a complicated puzzle that hopefully ends up with a
neighbourhood design and land use planning approach that reduces overall environmental impacts, while still making
a neighbourhood liveable. I guess my best piece of advice is to believe in what you do as it does make a difference,
regardless if it is big or small.
Amy’s question: Any final thoughts?
Kristy’s answer: There is a lot of great material out there for those interested in sustainable development
and I would encourage anyone interested to take the time to read them and become informed. Through education
we will achieve sustainability.
BUILDER NEWS
AMY LAZAR IS THE MANAGER OF COMMUNICATIONS AT BILD. KRISTY SHORTALL IS WITH THE
MMM GROUP, IS A BILD MEMBER AND IS A GREEN LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE MEMBER
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Execute
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BUILDER NEWS
Reading the list of accomplishments of someone like Susan Clinesmith, who recently received a lifetime achievement
award, is enough to make your head spin. Most of us get by on bucket lists. Not Clinesmith - even a partial list of her green
achievements is long.
In the past, she has chaired the Board of Directors for the Energy Solutions Center in Washington D.C., managed OHBA’s
Project Management Office that focused on energy efficiency in residential new construction, managed the R-2000 Homes
Program for OHBA and NRCan, was a board member of EnerQuality Corp., which focuses on new home energy efficiency and
was a member of the Building Industry and Land Development Association's Green Committee.
At present, in addition to managing the OPA’s High Performance New Construction Program that’s delivered by Enbridge,
she sits on the Building Code Conservation Advisory Council.
The award, presented at the Sustainable Buildings Canada green building festival this past fall, honors that work and more, which
Clinesmith sums up as “finding ways to take care of what we have, naturally, and still provide a quality of life that we want.”
She has always been interested in how things work: “How you start with mud and twigs and end up with a house, or start
with machinery and concrete and end up with a bridge, and since I’m neither extraordinarily technical nor an engineer, my
approach is to figure how to make things work better.”
Joining Tridel in the mid-1980s, she learned how homes and condos were designed and built. That paved the way for her
next move – managing the R2000 program for the OHBA, where she learned how buildings are systems from experts in the
green movement’s early days. Leaving there for Enbridge, Clinesmith was soon involved with green initiatives in both new
construction and retrofit. Once the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) was formed, it contracted Enbridge in 2007 to deliver its
HPNC program that would grant rewards to businesses incorporating energy efficiency into their new commercial
construction plans.
While it’s rewarding to make a difference, there are challenges too. “Cost is a huge issue,” Clinesmith says. “New products
are expensive – a case of supply and demand - and builders wonder if it’s going to work consistently, or if it will require
after-market service calls, and if there’s an available repair service.”
Enbridge’s role is to help builders and their design teams see the long term benefits, which go beyond the initial bottom line
– things such as fewer health issues, happier workers with less absenteeism and being able to command a higher rent for
lease space. “And to provide incentives that will help with the payback criteria and make it more viable for a builder,” she adds.
Being an integral part of a sea change in energy efficiency isn’t the only thing Clinesmith can be proud of. She’s also the
mother of two accomplished young women. Both hold degrees in geography from Wilfred Laurier University, and both have
ended up being, like their mom, “conduits for people to come together to do something,” Clinesmith says.
Jessica Clinesmith, VP of sales and marketing for Mattamy Homes, was involved in the company’s 2006 residential project
at Hawthorne Village, which took “green” to the outer limits. Fashioned after an “eco-tech village” model done by Ryerson
University’s urban planning department, the project demonstrated ecologically responsible, high-performance green buildings.
Susan Clinesmith:
A LIFETIME OF ACHIEVEMENT
ALEX NEWMAN
...“finding ways to take care of what we have, naturally,
and still provide a quality of life that we want.”][

Jessica believes the project was more than good marketing – “it was
the responsible thing to do for Canada’s largest residential builder,”
she says.
Mattamy used Hawthorne Village as a test site, providing a cost
benefit analysis to people who came through the model home and
then asking what components they’d be willing to pay for.
“What we found was that people are definitely interested,” Jessica
recalls. “But the bigger ticket items – geothermal for example – were
a harder sell because most buyers have a finite amount of money
and the return on investment is too long. And efficient HVAC systems
aren’t as pretty as hardwood floors or granite.”
In navigating the greening of low-rise developments, there’s
geographic context too. “A local municipality may require a certain
level of green, but the market in that area may not be able to afford
it. The developer, then, has two options - not build, or educate both
buyers and municipalities of what’s possible.”
The other Clinesmith, Jennifer, is the manager of planning and
development services for the Otonabee Region Conservation
Authority. With an undergraduate degree in geography, like her sister,
a Masters in rural planning, and an interest in ecosystem restoration,
she finds herself in a sensitive spot between potential land developers,
the provincial environmental guidelines, and local municipalities.
When someone calls and says they’re thinking of buying a property,
Jennifer can check the conservation authorities mapping. “I can tell
them if there’s a floodplain, or wetland, or whatever on the property
that they will need to work around.”
The aim is to protect wetlands, fish habitat, woodlands and valley
lands, and direct development away from them. Developers, hire
consultants to help them figure out what they can and can’t do
but individuals, especially those who’ve lived there for years, have
“strong emotional connections to the land, especially since this is
cottage country.”
In her capacity as manager of planning and development services for the conservation authority, Jennifer also helps municipalities
update their planning documents, so that they’re in accordance with the provincial requirements. “The province sets the bar
– sometimes the municipality will raise it, but they can never lower it,” she says.
Such a formidable family of “green” women begs the question of nature or nurture. Susan Clinesmith says it’s probably
a bit of both. “When the girls were growing up, the economy was at the forefront, there was the oil crisis, and the steady
depletion of natural resources.”
At the same time, the family spent summers with relatives on Florida’s west coast, near the Everglades. Audubon and
National Geographic graced the coffee table, and there were always relatives involved in land and conservation.
But Susan insists that most of what got passed on “is common sense – just be good stewards of what we have.”
9
BUILDER NEWS
SUSAN CLINESMITH RECEIVING A LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD AT
THE SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS CANADA GREEN BUILDING FESTIVAL
ALEX NEWMAN IS A WRITER, EDITOR AND RESEARCHER AT WWW.INTEGRITYCOMMUNICATIONS.CA

10
BUILDER NEWS
Shannon Bertuzzi has more than 5 years
of experience in the housing industry.
She has over 15 years of experience in
the marketing industry and has received
awards through the Canadian Marketing
Association for CRM campaigns. As the
Portfolio Manager of the New Construction
Markets team within Enbridge Gas
Distribution, Shannon is responsible for
developing and managing marketing
programs that promote the innovative use
of natural gas during the construction
process, as well as promoting energy
efficient programs to builders and home-
owners in Ontario. Most recently Shannon
and her team have been delivering new
innovative programs like Savings by
Design, Community Energy Retrofit and
Home Labeling to the residential
marketplace. Shannon also works with
the builder community on the provincial
level. She is actively involved at all levels.
She has been an active volunteer for BILD events such as the golf committee and membership drives. She is involved
with Women Build for Habitat for Humanity, WINC, OHBA and various other volunteer organizations.
On August 2nd, 2012, Enbridge Gas Distribution launched the Community Energy Conservation Project in partnership
with the City of Markham. While the hazy days of summer seemed like a strange time to talk about home heating, it is the
perfect time to consider an energy retrofit.
Offered to Enbridge customers who
own a home in the L3P postal area, The
Community Energy Conservation Project
works in tandem with Markham's
Greenprint Community Sustainability Plan,
to make it easy and affordable for customers
to understand and improve the energy
efficient of their home, lower their energy
bills and reduce their home's impact on the
environment.
Shannon, a mother of two, lives in the
project area. A new resident, she was very
selective about buying her home. With her
background in energy conservation, she
hunted carefully for the "right buy." The final
choice was a good one: a well built late
JOHN GODDEN
Shannon is Saving Energy at Work
and at Home
SHANNON BERTUZZI'S HERS CERTIFICATE
McLellan Group created an outstanding
website for Clearsphere.Their innovative
P3 videos really made a difference."
“
– John Godden, CEO, Clearsphere
The Sustainable Housing Foundation
now has a highly professional image
thanks to McLellan Group.They created
our Brand, our Visual Identity and our
Sales and Marketing Strategy."
"
– John Bell,
HtO Water Technologies
SHF Board Member & President,
www.mclellangroup.com
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11
BUILDER NEWS
80's home with energy upgrades like new windows, R40 cellulose attic insulation and a finished and insulated basement.
On a limited budget and anxious to see if any further energy improvements made sense, she called in Antony Zanini from
Clearsphere to do a comprehensive energy audit and mechanical assessment. The recommendations were to replace
an oversized 100,000 BTU mid efficiency furnace that was cycling and a natural draft hot water heater. A rental Polaris
condensing hot water tank now works in combination with an Air Max air handler with an ECM motor. This system
provides space and hot water at 90 plus percent efficiency. A 5ft long Power-Pipe recovers 60% of the heat energy from
shower water to preheat the hot water tank. A blower door test revealed an air change rate of just over 3.0 air changes
per hour at 50 Pascals. With the new "direct vent" combination heating system there is no more induced ventilation
from the flue effect. At the time the home was built, there were only operable windows to provide natural ventilation in
bathrooms.
As Shannon has two young children and is concerned for their health, she elected to install a Lifebreath "energy recovery
ventilation" (ERV) with a central control to improve indoor air quality. An ERV allows for maximized ventilation while
maintaining indoor winter humidity levels.
New 2012 building code houses sit at an EnerGuide 80 or HERS 60. Shannon's 25 year old house with past
improvements and current retrofits, performs as well as a Newly Built "Package J" home. Next summer when she
changes her air conditioner from 10 seer to 14 seer (made easier by the ECM motor in her Airmax Air Handler) she can
increase the performance even more. Her ERV also reduces electricity use by keeping humidity outside and reducing the
work the A/C system has to do. This mechanical system was installed by Alpha Comfort Control.
Shannon Bertuzzi truly is a "Girl Going Green" because she and her Home have an excellent score on the "HERS" scale.
JOHN GODDEN IS THE PRESIDENT OF CLEARSPHERE AND PUBLISHING EDITOR OF BETTER BUILDER
MAGAZINE.

12
The Centre for Construction and Engineering Technologies (CCET) has almost 4,700 full time students in programs that
include apprenticeship, certificate, graduate certificate, diploma and a Construction Science and Management degree that
was the first in Canada and is still the only one in Ontario. Approximately 1,000 students annually graduate in program
areas such as Construction Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technologies, Renovations, Heating
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Computer and Game programming, Computer systems, Architectural Studies, and nine
construction trades.
Since 2007, with the Vice President of Corporate Services,
I co-chair the College’s “Green Team.” The Green Team
ensures alignment of college-wide Green. I am very proud to
have helped ensure that sustainability became an explicit part
of the college’s business planning.
As the Dean for CCET I am most proud of the way I’ve been
able to support the increasing integration of sustainability
into the learning environment of CCET programs and working
through the Green Team to increase this content in many
college programs.
With a $6.6 million investment from the Government of
Canada, George Brown College is creating a new Green
Buildings Centre to support the growing Canadian green and
smart building market. This is aligned to the Federal
government’s priority of creating high-value jobs, growth
and long-term prosperity for Canadians.
Since 2007, GBC has focused building capacity for applied
research and technology development across key strategic
priority areas, helping over 180 industry partners, attracting
$4.4M in external funding, and receiving additional matching
industry partner cash and in-kind contributions. The majority
of the 178 applied research projects have been through the
Centre for Construction and Engineering Technologies and involved 143 faculty members and over 800 students.
The Green Building Centre will conduct applied research in partnership with local businesses while training students
in advanced construction systems, green energy and computer-enabled, efficient buildings. The centre will focus on
construction practices that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle: from
siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition.
We will offer a range of services to the building industry from the college’s Casa Loma campus, including business
development, intellectual property management, venture creation and product development and testing through its Business
Accelerator and Entrepreneurship Centre, Advanced Prototyping Lab, Building Science Lab and International Business Office.
We will also facilitate the direct and indirect participation of students in this type of research to ensure that more job-ready
graduates enter the market and advance the building sector’s adoption of new approaches, methods, standards and technologies.
Joining George Brown College in 1995, Nancy Sherman has previously held the positions of Director of International Education
and Registrar.
BUILDER NEWS
Nancy Sherman:
DEAN CENTRE FOR CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES, GEORGE BROWN COLLEGE
NANCY SHERMAN

13
BUILDER NEWS
Three reasons why you should
hire a Construction Science and
Management Degree Co-op student.
1. Access to skilled employees, as co-op students are
trained to:
• Perform quantity takeoffs from working drawings and
specifications; prepare material schedules and participate
in the bidding process.
• Monitor progress and compile time and cost field reports,
track and update change order logs.
• Assist in the implementation of quality control measures,
material management, construction documentation
control, project management/coordination duties.
2. Meet seasonal or project demands by adding a
highly motivated co-op student to the team.
3. Reduce costs associated with:
• Recruitment - our program was developed by and for the
industry to provide candidates that are trained specifically
for the construction industry.
• Taxes - by hiring a co-op student you may qualify for an
Ontario Tax Credit. Contact us to learn more.
For more information please contact:
The Industry Liaison Office and Krisztina Arany
at karany@georgebrown.ca or 416-415-5000 x4356.
NANCY SHERMAN IS THE DEAN AT THE CENTRE FOR CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES, GEORGE BROWN COLLEGE
Nancy has worked in more than 15 countries in a diverse range of sectors including sustainable development, agriculture,
business, early childhood education and high tech. She has been inspired by the people she works with and developed an
appreciation for, and skills in, leading interdisciplinary teams which is increasingly the hallmark of “environmental
management.” This holistic approach to management recognizes the interrelation of economic, social, cultural, environmental
and political variables.
Nancy holds a Masters in Environmental Studies from York University, a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of
Toronto and a Certificate in Instructing Adults from George Brown College.

FEATURE STORY
ANI BOGOVIC
WALKS WHAT
SHE TALKS
The House
That Ani BuiltBY TRACY HANES
After gaining a wealth of experience working with production and custom home builders,
it seemed like a natural progression for Ani Bogovic to bring her skills together to build
a house of her own. So in January 2012, Bogovic started her own company, Dekla
Developments – “dekla” is the Slovanian word for ‘girl’ and Dekla is also the Lithuanian
goddess of fate and destiny. Bogovic believes building is her destiny and is currently
putting the finishing touches on an energy efficient two-storey brick house in Etobicoke
on Beta St., in a neighbourhood of small older homes and large new executive residences.

FEATURE STORY
15ISSUE 04 | WINTER 2012
Though her father worked in the building industry as a
mason (his picture is on Dekla’s business cards), the
gregarious Bogovic figured her personality would be a
good fit for public relations and she studied marketing
and advertising at George Brown College. When she
graduated, she went to work for an advertising agency and
gained a major builder as a client. She learned a lot about
design through her involvement in building sales centres
and model homes.
She worked in sales and marketing for another large builder
but seven years later, seized the opportunity to work for
a small custom builder, who didn’t have a place for her in
marketing so she went on site and took over the general
contractor's role.
“I was on site for two years and not only had to do new
construction but fix all the problems created by the previous
general contractor,” she says. “That’s when I actually got
to love it because there’s nothing like going in and fixing
something that’s broken.”
She got involved on the land development side, dealing
with permits, severances and land acquisition and went on
to work for several builders as a project manager. But she
wanted to be in a smaller environment where she could
offer more customization and a high level of quality.
“I had a taste of the bigger picture because after my father
passed away, I knocked down my parents’ home, which
had been our family home, and built a new home for my
sister,” she says.
Bogovic decided to buy a lot to build another house and,
without question, knew she was going the energy efficient
route after project managing the construction of 140
Energy Star homes for a previous employer.
“I couldn’t see building the same kind of house everybody
else was building in the neighbourhood. I wanted a point of
differentiation,” says Bogovic.
She called on longtime associate John Godden of
Clearsphere to advise her on how to achieve the type of
quality and efficiency she wanted.
“I have always been a “products” person, wanting to use the
better products and ultimately, providing a better new home
through the delivery of better components,” she says.
Though she was familiar with many of the products she
planned to incorporate – Blueskin, BP sheathing, Roxul
insulation, Polaris dual-purpose hot water heater, Airmax
air handler with ECM motor, Panasonic bathroom fans,
Van EE HRV, Drain Water Heat Recovery Pipe – she got
hands-on in working with them.
“If I learn something every day, it makes me a better person,”
Bogovic says. “I installed the Blueskin, I worked with the
foam insulation in the basement …. I did that because I
wanted to learn it and I wanted to do that, as it allows me to
theoretically know how it all goes together and understand
why it doesn’t work in some situations and now I get it.”
She had previously learned that more is not better and
products need to be right-sized in consideration of the
whole home system. She has a Polaris condensing hot
water heater heating her entire house.
ANI BOGOVIC, TRUDY PULS AND JOHN GODDEN
THE GREEN GIRLS
FEATURE STORY

16
FEATURE
STORY
Ani has found that not everyone she was working with was
as far along the efficiency curve as she was. She had to
educate some of her trades.
“Working as a team is awesome. I want people to point out
the bad stuff and I want to make sure it works,” she says.
“I’m using all these products and I want to make sure they
pass the test and then some. I have a great group of people
around me and everything has come together in such a
lovely way that I couldn’t be happier.”
The education has extended to other builders in the
neighbourhood who are curious about what she’s doing
and “every day they are questioning me, saying things like
‘Why are you doing the BP? It costs more money!’ or asking
me what the drain water heat recovery pipe is. They don’t
see the bigger picture.
“This is the right thing to do and I believe in it, and there are
programs to encourage you to do this and to build a better
home. My heart is in bit of this house.”
The Dekla-built home will be durable, efficient and better
built, saving its owners money and providing them with a
comfortable atmosphere to live in.
City building officials and inspectors are another stumbling
block as most of them don’t know about many of the
technologies and techniques she is using, which can be
frustrating for a builder wanting to be innovative.
“There needs to be education and the city is learning. For
example, because the house I’m building is close to others,
I have to use fire-rated 5/8-inch drywall even though I’m
using Roxul which has a far superior fire rating. Do I really
need fire-rated drywall and Roxul? But the city inspectors
say ‘we don’t know anything about it, so just do it.’”
She will often invite Godden to the site so he can explain
why the methods and products used are actually superior
to Code requirements.
The house Ani is building will be tested and given a HERS
rating (Home Energy Rating System). She opted to go with
this rating system because of its stability. The rating on her
house will not change over time as the building code raises
the bar on performance.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the project has
been working with several of her colleagues in Women in
Construction (WINC), a non-profit organization of
professional women that Bogovic helped found. Many of
them are suppliers of the products and materials she is using.
Originally, she says, the group met for social outings but
the women took on a greater purpose when Bogovic was
asked to help with the first Habitat for Humanity Women
Build. She recruited a team of 30 women to participate
in the inaugural event in 2008 and led crews during the
five-day build.
For the next Women Build, 50 women participated. WINC
has raised more than $80,000 for Habitat for Humanity and
continues to support their fundraising efforts.
WINC’s purpose is to use the experience, skills and
networks of its members to mentor women and enrich the
communities in which they live. Its vision is to become a
leader in community outreach, enriching the lives of those
people they touch.
In 2011, WINC worked to renovate the Second Base
Youth Shelter’s communal space, incorporating an efficient
kitchen/dining room, recreational and education areas. The
56-bed shelter is the second largest youth shelter in the City
of Toronto, serving youths between 16 and 21 years old.
Many of her WINC colleagues joined her recently to tour the
house she is building and at a Green Girls' luncheon.
“Every opportunity has led me to where I am today and it
is with the support of all of you joining in this journey that
collectively makes us the better builder,” she said.
TRACY HANES IS A FREELANCE FEATURE WRITER FOR THE LARGEST DAILY NEWSPAPER IN
CANADA AND SEVERAL MAGAZINES. WWW.TRACYHANES.CA
GIRLS GO GREEN LUNCHEION EVENT
ANI BOGOVIC IS THE OWNER OF DEKLA DEVELOPMENTS.
CONTACT ANI AT DEKLADEVELOPMENTS@GMAIL.COM OR VISIT DEKLADEVELOPMENTS.COM

FEATURE STORY
www.roxul.com
Why choice renovators stand behind
Roxul Insulation.
Better fit. Fewer call-backs. More satisfied customers.
When your customers demand quality, start with the better quality
insulation. Fire-resistant and water repellant, Roxul insulation is easy
to work with, cuts with a serrated knife and fits snug without sagging.
Choose Roxul ComfortBatt™
for thermal insulation of exterior walls and
attics, and Roxul Safe‘n’Sound™
for soundproofing interior walls and
ceilings to make your next renovation professional grade.
ROXUL®
INSULATION
ROX-2355_0612

18
Trudy Puls:
CAN’T PULL THE WOOL OVER HER EYES
Trudy Puls got quite the
surprise when she walked into
a job interview 22 years ago.
Trudy, who had been supply
teaching in Hamilton, saw
a help wanted ad for a
demonstration representative
for mineral wool. She was
into arts and crafts and figured
the job would be to visit craft
studios and stores to promote
wools and yarns.
But when she arrived at
Roxul Inc.’s headquarters in
Milton, she discovered the
mineral wool was actually
an insulation made from natural stone and recycled
products that provided superior energy efficiency. After
reading about the product, she was impressed by what
it offered and took the job.
Two months later, she was promoted to sales representative.
There was only one other woman sales rep in the building
industry at the time; she sold tools and later, garage doors.
“Now, more and more women are getting involved in the
building industry which is great,” Trudy says. “Women
can really see how products can positively impact the
environment and people.”
As Senior Sales Representative, Trudy, the mother of two
teenage sons, spends her days on the road promoting
Roxul products to builders and lumber yards.
“I think awareness at the lumber yard level is lacking a bit.
Owners have so many products to sell and lack some
understanding of how it all goes together. But more people
are becoming aware that there is a better way to do things
and are making more of an effort to investigate,” she notes.
“More TV shows are promoting better ways to do things. I
work with dedicated people like John Godden and Gord
Cooke who are bringing building science to the forefront. In
fact, some builders are stepping outside their comfort zone
to experiment and learn new things.”
“They recognize they can improve their build and what
they offer to the consumer. That’s exciting to me. The
amount of builders willing to take a leap of faith is really
starting to snowball.”
“It’s always a passion for me to help the customer and
provide a good quality product, whether it’s to a Do-It-
Yourselfer or a builder. Every day’s different.” One of the
builders she is currently working with is Ani Bogovic, who
is constructing a 3,000-square-foot energy efficient home
in Etobicoke that will use Roxul.
After more than two decades selling Roxul products, Trudy
still loves her job. “Every day a great effort is made to get
our high performance products out into the market. Our
parent company, Rockwool International, is based in
Denmark. We have plants in Canada and are now expanding
to the U.S. The company is moving onward and upward.”
Yasmine
Goodwin:
NOT JUST ANOTHER DÉCOR CENTRE
A dozen years ago,
independent décor
consultant Yasmine
Goodwin was hired by a
builder to put together
a catalogue of upgraded
products he could offer
home buyers.
The builder was so
impressed by the wealth
of knowledge Goodwin
had about the products, he
suggested she come work
for him. Soon she was generating 10 times more in upgrade
sales than the builder’s other reps had been.
“They even had to reorganize their construction team” to
be able to accommodate all the upgrades buyers were
purchasing from Goodwin.
The same builder suggested Goodwin open her own décor
facility. “He said that way, you could have the buyers come
to you and that’s what we did.”
My Design Studio operates from a 2,500-square-foot
space on Weston Rd. in Toronto. Goodwin and her staff
of six work with 11 builders who send home buyers to My
Design Studio to choose finishes for their new homes,
whether it’s a condo, loft, townhouse, subdivision or
custom detached home.
BUILDER NEWS
TRACY HANES
TRUDY PULS OF ROXUL INC.
YASMINE GOODWIN, MY DESIGN STUDIO

ISSUE 04 | WINTER 2012 19
As well as offering a comprehensive selection for home
buyers, My Design Studio provides a cost-effective
solution for builders, as it eliminates the need for them to
build their own décor centre and hire consultants.
Goodwin and her staff handle all paperwork involved in
buyer choices and coordinate the necessary trades.
“We’ve been able to evolve the process of choosing
options and we do an analysis for each market and that
particular demographic and providing the best products
for that demographic,” says Goodwin. “We do everything
from compiling the data to completing final work orders to
promoting new products and philosophies.”
Her approach is not cookie cutter: the choices for each
builder are tailored to them and their customers.
“She’s always so positive and says ‘we can do that’
which is important to a builder,” says Ani Bogovic who
has worked with Goodwin on big builder projects and
now on the 3,000-square-foot custom home Bogovic is
constructing in Etobicoke.
“Yasmine supports the builder 150 per cent,” says Bogovic.
Goodwin’s expertise extends beyond the aesthetics such
as countertops, flooring and cabinetry.
For a large builder Bogovic used to work for, Goodwin
put together a package of energy efficient upgrades that
they were able to successfully upsell to buyers. The two
women organized a night for buyers where they brought
in suppliers and building scientist John Godden to explain
the benefits of the upgrades. About 25 per cent of those
who attended opted for the energy package.
“We can sell the energy efficient fans, furnaces and
insulation but we need the support of the builder,” Goodwin
says. It’s a concept many are still struggling with, but she
says sustainable features are a long term investment that
homeowners will buy if they are educated and are given the
sense they are getting a better house if they invest in them.
BUILDER NEWS
TRACY HANES IS A FREELANCE FEATURE WRITER FOR THE LARGEST DAILY NEWSPAPER IN CANADA AND SEVERAL MAGAZINES. WWW.TRACYHANES.CA

20
BUILDER NEWS
Trick #2:
THE IMPORTANCE OF AIR BARRIER DETAILING OR SAFE PROTECTION FOR THE HOME.
Your client needs protection and the leaks in a home are bad news. Air leakage causes unwanted drafts and the growth
of mould. Resulting in great discomfort for you and your client. Best to protect with a form-fitting barrier that is durable
and allows you and your client maximum comfort without health concerns. As high performance homes always include
good third party air tightness testing, we want to ensure success at testing time and that means keeping it simple and
making sure everyone respects the air barrier and knows where it is in the envelope.
KEEP THE AIR BARRIER OUTSIDE
Confusion abounds in the residential sector on which barrier needs to be air tight; the poly, or exterior panel type/flexible
barrier? It’s confusing because cold to warm side cross-overs where say Tyvek® gives way to a 6 mil poly are common
as in the wall to attic transition. Where the air and the vapour barriers are THE SAME BARRIER, everyone on the job site
needs to know where the air barrier is to keep it airtight. Everyone who punches a hole in it from the brick-layers, to the
HVAC to plumbers; all need to know if they penetrate the air barrier, they have to seal around their pipe, wire or wood to
the air barrier which in a ceiling is usually always a poly, but in a wall more often than not isn’t poly.
JUST SAY NO TO POLY AIR BARRIERS!
A common sense trend with air barriers is to place them on the exterior of the building envelope. Most agree that it’s
easier to produce an airtight house if the exterior sheathing is taped at joints and becomes the air barrier. Otherwise if
we use the poly as an air barrier in a wall assembly it has to stay warm and it has to be sealed really well; there are more
holes to seal on the inside. Most builders use panel-type exterior sheathing and some add a flexible sheet material like
house wrap or building paper. It goes without saying that sheet goods covered with roll membranes are redundant as
there are great tapes/primers that can be applied to panels if they meet the specs in Tables A-9.25.1.2.A&B. These
exterior cold-side air barrier systems should be the focus for an air tight “Air Barrier System” which in the end contribute
most to the airtightness of new Ontario homes. Both Owens Corning and Building Products of Canada offer exterior
panel type systems that include air and weather barriers. Blueskin VP is an exterior self stick air barrier that covers any
sheathing to yield an air tight, water tight and weather tight shield.
PROPHYLACTICS 101
The building code’s pretty concise when it comes to air and vapour barriers. Vapour barriers need “to prevent condensation”
and “be installed to protect the entire surfaces”. Whereas the Air Barrier “will provide a continuous barrier to air leakage…
from the interior… and from the exterior… where… a panel type material, all joints shall be sealed to prevent air leakage…
where… a flexible sheet material, all joints shall be sealed or lapped…100mm and clamped…” So when we do an air-
tightness test on your house we’re usually testing the air barrier system, not the drywall, trim and poly.
SIZE DOESN’T MATTER, PERFORMANCE DOES
With the recent changes to the OBC, a significantly greater portion of homes are being airtightness tested prior to
occupancy permit. This is a good move as it will lead to both a change in building practices and greater comfort and
saving for the homeowner. In my capacity as a professional airtightness tester, I see two main causes of weakness in the
building of airtight homes, other than the speed at which they are built. The first being the size and shape of most new
homes, the second is a need to educate trades on how to keep things tight. Any good education program informs trades
of the why and the how, not just the what.
The trend today is to build large houses with complex shapes and it goes without saying that the bigger the skin surface
CONTINUED ON PAGE 21
GREG LABBE

area, the more seams you’ll have to seal and the more complex the shape, the more difficult it gets to keep the seal con-
tinuous without tears or cuts under flashing, brick, siding and at each opening like a window or door.
However educating the trades on identifying the air barrier and respecting its integrity is key to keeping the air barrier
effective. I show them by using the following analogy: If you picked up the home, turned it upside down and poured
water into it like a bowl, the house should be able to hold water. If it does not, the water (moisture) will permeate the structure
and cause damage. The key is someone taking ownership and directing the work with the air barrier. Some issues arise
out of trades either cutting the ends of a flexible air barrier too short or not leaving enough to join the next piece. The trick
in making a home airtight is a lot like making a movie. Each actor (trade) needs to know his or her lines in order to reduce
the big holes. The big challenges with new homes are transitions where exposed floors or ceilings meet interior partition
walls such as coffered ceilings. With town houses, party wall details require the script writing. The energy rater testing
your home is a valuable resource to help identify common leaks and creates a process to ensure a more efficient air tight
and durable home.
BUILDER NEWS
21
GREG LABBE IS A VETERAN ENERGY RATER AND A PRINCIPAL AT BLUEGREEN GROUP.
Lori-Ann Tilley:
THE BIG SMILE OF BUILDING PRODUCTS OF CANADA
Lori-Ann is the Builder Architect Representative for Building Products
of Canada, a wood fibre and shingles manufacturer based out of
Montreal. Her role is to act as the company’s liaison across the
Province of Ontario, working closely with builders and architects to
help them build better, greener homes.
With a background in sales and management, Lori-Ann is very
active in the building and development industry by constantly
attending events and volunteering for various committees. She feels
at home in this industry and is very proud to be associated with
sustainability and green building products.
Lori-Ann credits her passion for the industry to Ani Bogovic, who
first took her under her wing as president of WINC (Women IN
Construction). Working with WINC proved to be a very rewarding
experience, as well as a confidence booster for Lori-Ann, who was
extremely excited to work with Ani on her current house.
The home, which is located in Etobicoke and is nearing completion,
features one of Lori-Ann’s most sustainable products – the Excel.
Excel is a structural sheathing with a house wrap laminated on top.
It is made from 98 per cent recycled materials and is and is VOC
and formadehyde-free. It also contributes to quality for green building
certification programs.
Lori-Ann is currently working towards her Building Science Certificate at the University of Toronto and is always looking
for new educational opportunities to further enhance her knowledge of building quality, affordable homes that satisfy both
the homeowner and the environment.
You can catch her at an upcoming industry event. Just look for the girl with the big, bright smile!
LORI-ANN TILLEY IS THE BUILDER ARCHITECT REPRESENTATIVE FOR BUILDING PRODUCTS OF CANADA
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20
LORI-ANN TILLEY

BP Excel breaks new ground
in structural insulation
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like no other product.
And it’s green — made from
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of VOCs and ozone-depleting
CFCs or HCFCs, and glued
together with wheat starch.
For homebuilders looking
for innovation and value
on an exponential scale:
Excel is innovative green
design, exceptional thermal
insulation and structural
strength all in one breathable
sheathing that delivers
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www.bpcan.com
WELCOME TO STRUCTURAL INSULATION
REINVENTED FOR TODAY’S WORLD —
AND A SUSTAINABLE TOMORROW.
MADE HERE PREFERRED EVERYWHERE
NEW!

BUILDER NEWS
Laura Bonise:
SHE’S DIRECT ABOUT ENERGY
The New Home Industry is always changing so it is critical to keep up with new technologies and
building code amendments. Laura Bonise is a 33 year veteran with Direct Energy and has experienced
many of these changes firsthand. Bonise is an Account Manager for the builder market, assisting her
clients with water heating and HVAC product selection, training and technical support and brings a great
deal of knowledge to the table.
“The industry has gone through
tremendous changes and homebuyers
are becoming more informed and
engaged in the products that are
being selected for their new home.
They are looking for energy efficient
products to lower their utility bills and at the same time
want to make an impact on their green footprint.”
“The builders look to us for advice and suggestions to
suit their project. We consider the size of the home, the
plumbing fixtures and the lifestyle of the homeowners to
determine the product.” Ani Bogovic, the owner of Dekla
Developments, made the decision to use a more energy
efficient HVAC system in this project. She is installing an
air handler in combination with a 96% thermally efficient
Polaris condensing water heater. This combo system
provides many benefits such as fewer wall penetrations,
less gas piping and venting and higher efficiencies.
Direct Energy is North America’s largest competitive
energy solutions provider. They are constantly looking
for new, innovative products and rely on the support and
feedback from builders, account managers and industry
professionals to bring new programs and products forward.
Laura explains, “My builders encourage me to be the best
in the business, to be most informed and knowledgeable
about the industry.”
It’s all good news for the environment. As an industry we are paying more attention to the quality of the products, their
efficiency and their long term impact on our world. Laura adds, “As I look around my own home I can see that our habits
have changed for the better. We recycle as much as possible, we consider more energy efficient products and think about
how our way of living will affect the next generation.” It’s the way of the future.
23
LAURA BONISE
“My builders encourage me to be the best in the business, to
be most informed and knowledgeable about the industry” ][
LAURA BONISE IS AN ACCOUNT MANAGER WITH DIRECT ENERGY
LAURA BONISE AND ANI BOGIVIC

Next generation technology
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For more on how BlueskinVP™
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Building Envelope System®
, watch our new movie at
www.ca.henry.com/blueskinvpmovie
Project by Build Urban
(buildurban.com)

ISSUE 04 | WINTER 2012 25
Dawn Nigro:
PRESIDENT HENRY CO. CANADA INC.
As a young girl, Dawn Nigro was always fascinated in how things worked, and in
school, excelled in math and science and thrived on solving problems.
Even though it wasn’t a career path many girls were choosing at the time, Nigro studied
engineering at the University of Waterloo and graduated in 1993. During her co-op
placements, she gained experience in the natural gas, mining and plastics industries.
After school she went to work for General Electric in plastics in Canada and the U.S.
Today, Nigro is president of the Henry Co. Canada maker of air and vapor barriers,
roofing and other products that help to create energy efficient buildings. Nigro worked
with building insulation company John Manville and for Royal Technologies in their
window and door division before she came to Henry four years ago.
“As an engineer, you want to see a product that has technical components and you
want to believe in what you sell and believe it is advantageous to society,” she says.
“You like to know that what we’re making adds value, saves energy and makes buildings more sustainable.”
Nigro enjoys working in the building industry and likes that Henry doesn’t just make a single product, “but a whole building
envelope system, and for me, that’s exciting.”
Since she has been with Henry, the company has grown in terms of integrating its products, focused more on research
and development efforts and while “Henry has a good market presence, we’ve definitely increased that.”
Nigro has noted a natural push to energy efficiency, whether it’s through Ontario Building Code changes or programs like
Energy Star and LEED, “and consumers are getting more cognizant of energy costs.”
The Code “will go only one way” – and that’s
up – and that will benefit companies like hers
that are producing products geared to
energy efficiency and creating a better building
envelope. While Henry’s Blueskin family of
products are the dominant air and vapour
barrier systems in Canada, on the commercial
side, Nigro says Henry is making inroads on
the residential construction side and while the
stick-on house wrap does cost more, she says
builders are usually convinced when they see
how it performs in blower door tests against
typical wraps.
“It’s a very intuitive product that sticks to the
wall, providing a continuous plane versus
stapling a bunch of holes in it,” she says.
Though Nigro says she still doesn’t see a lot of
female engineers, she is noting more women in
the construction field. “For example, I am seeing
a lot of female architects. I find it exciting to
see that many women in the building industry.”
BUILDER NEWS
TRACY HANES
DAWN NIGRO: PRESIDENT HENRY CO. CANADA INC.
ANI BOGOVIC WELCOMES DAWN NIGRO (PRESIDENT HENRY CO. CANADA INC.) TO HER DEKLA DEVELOPMENT SITE
TRACY HANES IS A FREELANCE FEATURE WRITER FOR THE LARGEST DAILY NEWSPAPER IN CANADA AND SEVERAL MAGAZINES. WWW.TRACYHANES.CA

26
BUILDER NEWS
PAPER:
PROPERTY ASSESSED PAYMENTS FOR ENERGY
RETROFITS
Sonja Persram, BSc, MBA, LEED® Accredited Professional
and President of Sustainable Alternatives Consulting Inc.,
led a broad spectrum of stakeholders to achieve regulatory
change in Ontario, enabling stewardship financing for energy
efficiency, renewables and water efficiency retrofits on
private properties.
Inspired by the work of Roger Peters et al. for the Pembina
Institute, which described the possibilities of using the Local
Improvement Charges (LICs) municipal financing mechanism1
for new, energy retrofit purposes (initially applied in Yukon
Territory), Sonja had been writing about this concept for
years when the David Suzuki Foundation engaged her to
research taking this forward in Ontario. During this two-year
project Sonja wrote three reports2
for the foundation on this
evolving concept which came to be known as “Property
Assessed Payments for Energy Retrofits,” or “PAPER”.
This mechanism addresses several major barriers to energy
retrofits, namely that it:
• provides upfront financing needed for deeper retrofits
• enables this type of investment no matter how long
people own their property because on sale any
balance continues to be repaid by the new owner
• allows owners to invest in retrofits for a net savings on
energy bills because of the following aspects
• passes on the lower interest rates available to the
municipality
• has a significant security feature which additionally
lowers interest rates
• focuses on cost-effective measures
• finances at longer terms than the typical 5-years
Many of these are social equity features since they enable
access to affordable energy and the associated savings
potential, and also result in enhanced home comfort and
occupant health.3
During the David Suzuki Foundation contract and since, Sonja
has been engaging stakeholders among government (all
levels), finance, investment, legal, real estate, energy
retrofits, green building sectors, and utilities. Representatives
of approximately 23 municipalities of all tiers have been
active participants in the PAPER collaboration. Several
Council Resolutions and letters of support were issued in favour
of the PAPER concept and a letter of support was also sent
to the MMAH Minister by the Association of Municipalities of
Ontario. The number of municipalities interested in the
concept has been continually growing and active and interested
municipalities now total over 50.
Early in 2012, two formal documents were launched – a
request for review of the Environmental Bill of Rights to the
Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, and a federal
petition to the Auditor General of Canada – by a collaboration
of multi-sectoral PAPER stakeholders4
led by Sonja.
These applications requested specific changes which
together would enable using LICs on private properties
for these energy retrofit purposes.
Also beginning in early 2012, Sonja assisted City of
Toronto Councillor Mike Layton with developing a group
of broadscale and bipartisan PAPER supporters and
implementation specialists; and provided rationales to
underpin the PAPER concept for key stakeholders who
became signatories to Councillor Layton’s subsequent
motion to the Economic Development Committee of Council.
This motion authorized City staff to provide a report to
Council on developing a pilot program and collaboration
among other municipalities. It was passed (with some
amendments) unanimously by City Council.
The PAPER collaboration is seen as a critical success factor
to lowering the costs for all municipalities: by working
together on the pilot projects, municipalities can develop
key features and consider solutions to common issues, while
obtaining the benefits from central funding development
support; some of which would be provided by higher level
SONJA PERSRAM,

Visit us at www.lifebreath.com
The RNC5-TPD and RNC5-TPF are designed for
maximum performance in small space applications.
These units offer:
Setting a New Standard
BUILDER NEWS
governments – whose own budgets would benefit from a
scaled-up PAPER program.
Subsequently the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
posted a notification regarding their pending regulatory LIC
change, which was replied to by Fogler, Rubinoff lawyer
Stan Makuch and Sonja (among others).
Minister Joe Oliver of Natural Resources Canada later
responded to the federal petition with a letter indicating
support for the PAPER concept, and which also noted the
significant public benefits provided by energy efficiency
retrofits – including domestic job creation, increased energy
security, and reduced greenhouse gases.
On October 23, 2012, days before resigning her portfolio,
former Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Kathleen
Wynne signed Ontario Regulations 322/12 and 323/12 which
authorized the needed changes to the Local Improvement
Charges mechanism.
1. LICs were formerly used for (for example) sidewalks, buried
utilities, and public parks.
2. The three reports by Sonja Persram, published by the David
Suzuki Foundation are: Property Assessed Payments for
Energy Retrofits: Recommendations for Regulatory Change
and Optimal Program Features (March, 2011); Property As-
sessed Payments for Energy Retrofits and Other Financing
Options (May, 2011); and Strategic Recommendations for
an Optimal “PAPER” Program (August, 2011).
3. Sonja was one of two Canadians who served on the US
Green Building Council’s Social Equity Task Force.
4. This group comprised Bill Johnston (past president of the
Toronto Real Estate Board – which formally supported
the concept), Peter Love (President of Love Energy Con-
sultants, and former Ontario Chief Energy Conservation
Officer), David McRobert (legal advisor who recommended
these steps be taken), Janet Gasparini (former Councillor
with the City of Greater Sudbury).
27
SONJA PERSRAM, BSC, MBA, LEED® ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL AND PRESIDENT OF SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVES CONSULTING INC.

BUILDER NEWS
28
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Choose a combination of WhisperGreenTM
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Designed to provide both continuous and intermittent ventilation, the WhisperGreenTM
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To learn more about Panasonic ventilation fans visit www.panasonic.ca,
email VentiltionFans@ca.panasonic.com or call 1-800-669-5165

29
BUILDER NEWS
Stacey Featherstone:
PANASONIC'S #1 FAN
My title is Ontario Regional Sales Manager, Ventilation Products, Panasonic Canada Inc. I am responsible for promoting
and selling Panasonic Advanced Ventilation Systems through the Electrical and HVAC/Plumbing Wholesale market.
I am very grateful to Digby Campbell, National Business Development Manager, HVAC. It was his invaluable knowledge
and insight to the Ventilation market that made me a fan …..he taught me everything I know.
I was given the opportunity to sell an unbelievable product that can provide consumers a healthier lifestyle. After ten years
of product demonstrations, I still enjoy watching the consumer’s reaction when they realize the fan has been running the
entire time…….yes, they are that quiet!
I am currently working with Home Builders and contractors to install our most Eco friendly “WhisperGreen” fan products
for new construction homes. I can offer a variety of different products that can provide solutions for different applications
or meet specified “green” building code requirements.
We have a series of DC motor fans that are capable of variable speed and include time delay. The smart flow feature
allows the fan to perform under pressure. Install an 80 cfm fan and receive 80 cfm output (this is virtually unheard of).
Their energy efficiency ratings are among the highest in the industry and some models come with a motion sensor. All this
in one fan…… it’s true!
I don’t think of myself as an innovator but as one who enjoys educating consumers the importance of proper ventilation in
the home environment.
I came to the realization that the air we breathe in our home can be the most contaminated and proper ventilation is the
key for a healthier lifestyle. Healthy air can be achieved with a Panasonic fan; it is a very cost effective solution.
Panasonic is a leader in the advanced
ventilation market and Green Innovation is
their specialty. We will continue to design
and create superior products that are very
quiet, energy efficient and durable. They
are all specifically deigned to properly clear
moisture from a washroom and moisture is
the number one cause of mould and mildew.
It’s like buying “insurance” for your
bathroom …..Protect your Investment.
With our product awareness becoming more
familiar and common in the marketplace, I am
satisfied knowing that Panasonic Advanced
Ventilation systems can make a difference in
our day-to-day environment. It’s because of
this I am able to contribute on a
personal level as well.
STACEY
FEATHERSTONE
FRONT ROW: NANCY SHERMAN, STACEY FEATHERSTONE AND KRISTY SHORTALL BACK ROW: MARGARET WARD,
ANGELA BUSTAMANTE AND LYNN DA PRA AT ANI BOGOVIC'S SITE BEFORE THE GIRLS GO GREEN LUNCHEON
STACEY FEATHERSTONE IS THE ONTARIO REGIONAL SALES
MANAGER, VENTILATION PRODUCTS, PANASONIC CANADA INC.

30
BUILDER NEWS
ANGELA
BUSTAMANTE
Angela Bustamante:
BUILDING KNOWLEDGE THROUGH ENERGY RATING
As an energy evaluator I can honestly say that it’s been an interesting year with the
implementation of SB12. Since being involved in the green building industry for the past
six years for new homes it was a definite eye-opener for me.
Building Knowledge has proudly been working with great “green” builders over the past
several years. There was no way I could have prepared myself for this. I never realized
that there was an industry that didn’t know what the heck all this green stuff was about.
Working with early adopting builders and being fortunate enough to be surrounded by
great mentors like Gord Cooke left me kind of naive. I never expected that there would
be builders out there that SB12 would be a shock to or a building department that would
say “What’s a blower door test?”, “What’s ENERGY STAR®”, and “Have you heard of
an EnerGuide 80 or a HERS rating?”. I can say I wasn’t surprised by the architect calls
wondering how they were going to
build over 22% glass to keep their
clients happy.
I’m calling 2012 the year of green
knowledge. As an energy evaluator
I felt I was better equipped to
provide more in- depth knowledge
to individuals regarding green programs
and ratings being implemented across
Ontario. I felt I was able to settle a few
plans examiners' questioning minds
at the municipal level as well as giving
building inspectors more confidence
in determining what to look for at
occupancy stage, and the avoidance
of a label. Assisting the builder’s
permit departments and designer plan
reviews I think we accomplished a lot
together this year and look forward to
a new year when I can start it all over
again with explaining the differences of
ENERGY STAR®
Version 12.1 (released
November 2012).
On that note, here’s a bit of education. There are all sorts of green programs and ratings out
there. Some are software reliant, some are administrative geared, and some are heavily
performance verified. Several popular ones are created by Natural Resources Canada,
some by manufacturers, and some by organizations such as CRESNET or utilities. Many
have labels and or incentives and some don’t. All in all they have the same intentions
to better the environment and save energy while building better homes. Remember that
some may work for one builder while others may work for another. You can rely on your
energy evaluator/rater to help determine which one carries more benefit to your company.
ANGELA BUSTAMANTE IS THE C.E.T., LEED AP BD+C, NRCAN ENERGY EVALUATOR FOR NEW HOMES AND MURBS
Clears
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VEN_Ad_MB_Jun2311.indd 1 11-06-24 9:29 AM
ANGELA RUSTAMANTE AND YASMINE GOODWIN AT ANI BOGIVIC'S SITE

Margaret Ward:
CHANNEL CONSULTANT ENBRIDGE GAS DISTRIBUTION INC.
I have worked for Enbridge for many years and have held numerous positions, from Litigation to Construction. In the
in the last 10 years, I have worked mostly in Sales, working with Builders and HVAC contractors promoting our Energy
Efficiency Programs.
I have been very fortunate to work with some strong leaders that have encouraged me along the way telling me “You
can do it Margaret!!” Back in the early 1990s, our company encouraged women and gave us an opportunity to work in
“nontraditional” roles and I was hesitant at first but then realized that it was time to do something different and take on a
challenge of working in construction.
As I mentioned above, back in the early 1990s, Enbridge introduced an opportunity for women to work as Pipeline
Inspectors. At that time, it meant giving up taking your holidays throughout the summer and working in the field as a
Pipeline Inspector. I worked with men that had been working in construction installing new gas mains and services for over
20 years or more and now to have a woman as their Pipeline Inspector was not only an adjustment for them but also for
me. As a pipeline inspector, us women were under the spotlight and had to perform duties above and beyond what was
expected so we could prove we actually COULD do the job.
I did this temporarily for the summer and was then offered a full time position, which I obviously took. I worked in this field
for 4 years (even had two babies throughout that time, which was a first for Enbridge “a pregnant pipeline inspector??!!”)
And I might add, I was treated with the utmost respect and sometimes even spoiled!
Since that position, the knowledge I gained by working in the field has enabled me to move up to other positions at
Enbridge and to get me where I am today, a Channel Consultant. Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. is not only a gas utility
BUT we have many energy efficient programs for both our residential and commercial customers to take advantage of.
As a Channel Consultant at Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. a very important part of my job is to represent our company in
both the Builder and HVAC community.
We currently have two Energy Efficient Programs available for low rise new construction builders.
The Drain Water Heat Recovery Program – this unit reclaims water heat that is lost down the drain – reducing energy use
and saving the builders and homeowners money. These units retail for $600 and builders can get one FREE (until December
31, 2012) per house. We will also be running this program in 2013 where Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. will pick up 75% of
the cost of the unit and the builder 25%. The Drain Water Heat Recovery Unit not only reduces water heating costs by up to
40% BUT also reuses heat energy which is good for the environment AND it is easy to install and maintenance free.
Our other program is “Savings by Design” It helps maximize the energy efficiency of builders’ new homes and the
objective for the builder is to achieve 25% greater energy savings than current Ontario Building Code standards
through an Integrated Design Process. This process involves the builders, owners and their design team working
together at the outset of the building’s design phase to identify the optimal mix of design elements and technologies
to maximize environmental performance. Enbridge will enlist energy modeling experts to estimate the potential natural
gas and electricity savings.
I am proud to work for Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. and thoroughly enjoy having the opportunity to
work with the building industry, especially if our programs can help builders to build better homes.
BUILDER NEWS
MARGARET WARD
31
MARGARET WARD: CHANNEL CONSULTANT ENBRIDGE GAS DISTRIBUTION INC.

32
BUILDER NEWS
Tracy Hanes:
WRITING GREEN, LIVING GREEN
Journalist Tracy Hanes, who writes
for major dailies as well as this
magazine, knows her way around
green building and sustainable
practices. But when sustainable
building expert John Godden (www.
clearsphere.ca) asked her if she’d
like to be a “green guinea pig”
and undergo a retrofit on her own
1950s side split, she initially balked.
“Yes, the air conditioning unit was
30 years old,” Hanes says. “But
the furnace was pretty new, and so were high-end low-e
argon windows. And naturally I didn’t want to spend a huge
amount of money.”
Two facts influenced her decision to go for it - that relatively
new furnace was only mid-efficiency and the heat distribution
in the home was terrible.
The two rooms over the garage – including the home office
where she writes about building, development, and land
use – were like an icebox in winter and an inferno in summer.
“I couldn’t work up there
half the year,” Hanes says.
Given Hanes’ familiarity
with building, she knew
that installing a more
efficient heating and
cooling system didn’t
make any sense on its
own without improving
the building envelope.
Hanes’s partner, who
works with infrared thermography in his day job, used his
work camera to show them where the leaks were. But they
also had an energy audit, complete with blower door test,
done by green building consultant/certified energy auditor
Peter Reynolds. The results were sobering – their home got an
overall EnerGuide rating of 63 with an air leakage rate of 8.53.
Reynolds suggested sealing leaks around electrical boxes,
window frames, plumbing and baseboards. But the house
still needed more. So with Godden’s help, Hanes’s partner
demolished the garage ceiling, removing the old insulation
which had bunched up in spots and was nonexistent in
others. They sprayed Icynene foam, which both insulates
and seals air leaks. They insulated the floors in the two
bedrooms from below, and then re-drywalled the garage
ceiling. The attic, accessible from the rooms above the
garage, was beefed up with Roxul laid down over the existing
batting. Those upper rooms are now R33.
Once the envelope was taken care of, they replaced the
heating and cooling systems with a combination system.
A Lifebreath Clean Air furnace uses hot water as the heat
source to warm the air before circulating it. This furnace
combines space heating, ventilation and air conditioning
– a 16 SEER (seasonal energy efficient rating). Heating the
hot water in Hanes’s home is a 98.4 efficiency FlowMax 120
condensing hot water heater. And with an extra storage tank
added to the FlowMax, the system was able to provide
radiant heat flooring as well.
Although Hanes sees these latest components regularly in
the LEED construction she writes about, they hadn’t at that
point – a year and a half ago - made it on the government’s
EcoEnergy grants list so she was unable to pursue funds.
No matter – it’s been worthwhile for the long term savings.
Their gas consumption is down by 40% - and that measured
against a mild winter – and their average monthly heat and
hydro bill is less than $200/month, even with recent rate
increases which will only continue to climb. What’s more,
this was exactly the pre-retrofit savings predicted by
Godden and Reynolds.
Given what was being done to the house, Hanes expected
to save money. What she didn’t expect was the improvement
in comfort and air quality. With even heat throughout her
home, she can work from her home office year round.
And the air quality is so improved that allergies no longer
plague her. Even her mother, a fellow allergy sufferer, noticed
the difference when she visited for a few days. “She told
me she had the best sleep in a very long time because the
air quality was so good,” Hanes says.
Although Hanes is familiar with the enticing array of available
designer products, she’d rather put her money into comfort.
“We still have laminate counters and old hardwood, but
the house is such a pleasure to be in we don’t care and we
know we made good decisions.”
ALEX NEWMAN
TRACY HANES, JOURNALIST
THE HANES GARAGE, BEFORE AND AFTER
INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY SHOT SHOWING LEAKS

BUILDER NEWS
Karen Woodard:
DECADES OF DEDICATION
I have been with Martino Contractors since November 11, 1991; originally hired for accounts payable, but in the 21
years since, I have done accounts receivable, service, retail and residential new home construction. For a few years
while we were owned by Lennox International, I was the office manager. I am currently doing all aspects of residential
new home construction and accounts receivable as well as being the executive assistant to Mike Martino.
Mike Martino has influenced my work. He made sure that I learned every aspect of this company. Cross training in all
departments has given me a wide knowledge of this industry.
In the early days, my work consisted of doing everything manually for residential new home construction. I had big
accounting binders to track the heating systems, air conditioning systems and fireplaces. New technology has
changed the way I work, I now track everything on a computer program. I am able to see everything for each project at
my fingertips now. In the office we have widely promoted recycling.
With one of our builders we
have gone ahead and promoted
upgrades to the homeowners to
promote energy efficient HVAC
equipment in their homes like
high efficiency furnaces and air
conditioners.
Recently, we have gotten back into
the custom home portion of the
business and are trying to build
that side of the business as well as
the existing residential side.
33
KAREN WOODARD
KAREN WOODARD IS THE EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
TO MIKE MARTINO OF MARTINO CONTRACTORS
AND LOOKS AFTER ALL ASPECTS OF NEW HOME
CONSTRUCTION
"Throughout her career Karen had been loyal and reliable. She is the bridge
between all our field production and the office administration."
][ Mike Martino
Reliable,
customized,
maRtinoHeating • air conditioning • indoor air Quality • HVac design
1-800-465-5700
™
www.martinohvac.com

BUILDER NEWS`
Lynn Da Pra:
PRESIDENT, CADORIN HOMES
Lynn Da Pra is President of Cadorin Homes and Treasurer, Director of The Sustainable Housing Foundation. Recently
celebrating her successful completion of the Building Science Specialist of Ontario course requirements, she is geared to
make a difference.
"My views and goals of the day are formed in part by all the wonderful blessings I've had in my life: hard-working,
conscientious parents, successful business mentors, passionate instructors, and the support of like-minded colleagues."
Sustainable building has been an interesting world of discovery from many different perspectives, whether it be the science, the
business or the moral aspect. "Having turned this sustainable cube around in my hands this past while and exploring the various
aspects one needs to consider for a viable business, I can safely say that sustainable building makes sense from every side."
Future work with the Sustainable Housing Foundation to increase sustainable possibilities to as many people as possible is
definitely an exciting venture. "I am convinced we have the best of the best involved in this initiative, which is a very powerful
motivator." The Sustainable Housing Foundation has had significant involvement with builders, renovators, manufacturers,
academia, and corporate sponsors to forge ahead with real traction in the advance of sustainability. Construction projects this
winter and spring of a couple of custom homes will serve not only to benefit the homeowners but also in providing some
tangibility for lessons learned.
"Probably the best advice I can provide regarding sustainable building
is to consider the building as a whole rather than individual materials
and components. Clearly, modeling prior to construction is necessary
to ensure your choices are effective." It is encouraging to note there are
choices and options for better building practices.
Hold your glass up to more learning and teaching and constructing good
buildings and solid businesses!
Elem Rinomato:
PRESIDENT, TORINO DRYWALL
As president of Torino Drywall Inc., Elem Rinomato is right where she
wants to be. “I absolutely love what I do, because my passion lies with
the drywall business,” she says. “If you are driven and passionate, you
will succeed, and your happiness will lead to further successes.”
Established in 1964 by Elem’s father, Tony Rinomato, Torino Drywall quickly became one of Toronto’s largest drywall
contracting firms in the residential marketplace. Elem joined the company in 1985, after earning a degree in Environmental
Studies at the University of Waterloo and graduating at the top of her class.
Thinking “Green” was always easy for Elem because that’s what she believes in. She ensures that most of the products
that she uses are environmentally friendly such as recycled drywall and metal studs. “When the job is ready for cleanup,
the ‘scrap’ is taken to a recycling depot where it is further recycled into other products. I wish the entire construction
industry would think more green!” When Canada’s first “All Green” project was being built in Toronto several years ago,
Elem knew that she had to do it. With her knowledge and experience in the drywall trade, she knew that Torino would be
a large contributor to ensuring that the project remained “green” in every aspect.
Over the years, Torino has expanded services to the high-rise residential, commercial and industrial market. With three
dozen projects on the go at any given time, and 300 tradespeople working for the company, Torino Drywall is a key
supplier to builders throughout the GTA and surrounding areas.
LYNN DA PRA AND ELEM RINOMATO AT THE GIRLS GO GREEN LUNCHEON
LYNN DA PRA IS PRESIDENT OF CADORIN HOMES AND TREASURER, DIRECTOR OF THE SUSTAINABLE HOUSING FOUNDATION; ELEM RINOMATO IS PRESIDENT OF TORINO DRYWALL INC
34

35
BUILDER NEWS
Agnes Haak:
WITH SUSTAINABLE HOMES WE ALL WIN
I recycle, turn my lights off, walk instead of drive, and
reuse food containers. But sustainability was a bit of a
mystery to me. My home is the poster child for how not to
live. My front door has a gap underneath letting in fresh
air in the winter and hot air in the summer, my attic is
insulated with sawdust, which apparently doesn’t have an
R-value, and my water heater is a giant energy waster that
heats more hot water than we ever use. With my busy life
as a single working mom with two active kids, I didn’t give
it too much thought.
When I met John Godden, I was working as a management
consultant, advising corporations on how to articulate
and implement corporate strategy, how to set up an
effective organization structure, and how to manage
change. As I focused more on small and medium-sized
businesses, I met the passion, drive, and stubbornness
of business owners which was very inspiring. John’s
passion for the environment, his drive to improve homes,
and his passion for sustainability opened my eyes.
In 2011, John and I started to work together to define
Clearsphere’s role in improving the energy efficiency of
Canadian homes, providing project support to builders and building a team of dedicated people that are the driving force
behind Clearsphere.
In my work with builders on LEED for Homes projects, I learned about their challenges to meet building code requirements,
fire safety requirements, and energy requirements, while at the same time meeting the high expectations of home buyers.
More recently, I started working with The Sustainable Housing Foundation to support our vision to increase the number
of sustainable homes in Canada. Our work is very exciting, as we are bringing manufacturers, builders, renovators, home
buyers and home owners together to provide insight into how to make sustainability a priority for everyone. Our economic
forecast shows that we will need to build sustainable homes in order to reduce the impact on our environment as well as
reduce the impact on our financial stability.
I have been very fortunate to be asked to become part of two organizations that are making a difference in Canada. I am
learning about sustainable homes and what we can do to live better, live healthier, and use our resources wisely.
As we are gaining more support for our cause, we have the opportunity to make change happen. As for now, it is time to
clean up my attic and replace my water heater. If everyone does their part, we all win.
AGNES HAAK
AGNES HAAK, AMY LAZAR AND STACEY FEATHERSTONE AT ANI BOGOVIC'S SITE BEFORE THE
GIRLS GO GREEN LUNCHEON
AGNES HAAK CONTACT INFORMATION: 416 371 4225
AGNES.HAAK@ROGERS.COM
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Better Builder Magazine, Issue 04 / Winter 2012

Better Builder Magazine, Issue 04 / Winter 2012

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Better Builder Magazine, Issue 04 / Winter 2012