HomeMy WebLinkAboutResidential Energy Efficiency Project (REEP) - House for Sustainable Living ProjectResidential Energy Project
_~~ A project of Waterloo Region Solutions
~. Working together for healthier homes and sustainable communities.
REEP House for Sustainable Living
Project Description
REEP is embarking on an exciting new venture to transform two century homes from their current
condition into models of green design and sustainable living. The houses were built between 1900 and
1915, and are located next-door to each other in downtown Kitchener. REEP will lease the houses from
the Region of Waterloo for 4 consecutive 5-year terms. The houses will be renovated to become the
REEP House for Sustainable Living and the REEP Green Office.
Project Mission
To create a welcoming public demonstration centre that inspires and enables sustainable living and
building practices, and a green office from which to operate our expanding programs and services.
The REEP House for Sustainable Living has the following goals:
• To inspire the residents of Waterloo Region to undertake greening projects in their homes and
workplaces. The REEP House will showcase the efficiency measures, sustainable building
technologies and alternative energy opportunities that are recommended by REEP's Certified
Energy Advisors during an ecoEnergy home evaluation. Options that are suitable for different
housing types and price ranges will be demonstrated. Visitors will come away with a better
understanding of the possibilities for their own homes.
• To encourage residents to make sustainable choices in everyday life. The REEP House will
demonstrate options for sustainable living and the impact these choices can have on the
environment. Aspects of sustainable living to be incorporated into the REEP House include: energy
and water use, waste reduction, recycling and composting, indoor air quality, landscaping, and
transportation.
• To provide learning opportunities for citizens of all ages through tours and workshops, and
curriculum-linked programs for school-aged children. Interactive displays will make connections
between action and impact, and show concrete examples of the different options for sustainable
I ivi ng.
• To strive for net-zero energy use and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design)
certification for New Development & Major Renovation.
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195 King Street West, Unit 301, Kitchener, ON N2G 1B1
The Green Office will provide an exceptional work environment for employees, board members, and
volunteers, and will allow REEP to provide the office space needed for future organizational growth.
Community engagement at both the neighbourhood and greater Waterloo Region levels will be a
priority during the transformation of the REEP houses. Citizens will be invited to participate in townhall
meetings, tours, and workshops, to provide their input for design, and to learn about the energy issues
identified in the two homes. The renovations will be chronicled on the REEP website and through
articles in local papers.
Project Rationale
• Climate change, air quality, and energy use are among key issues for regional residents and
governments. REEP has been connecting citizens with practical solutions regarding these issues
since 1999. The time is right for an educational centre that demonstrates practical solutions and
choices for sustainable living, and does so in a way that provides something for everyone to
aspire to, regardless of what stage they are at with their own home. No learning centre of this
kind presently exists in Waterloo Region.
• The REEP House for Sustainable Living will help regional government realize its vision of smart
growth for a sustainable future, which incorporates reduced energy consumption, improved air
quality, minimized urban footprint, and healthy transportation (Regional Growth Management
Strategy, 2003). REEP's project is asolutions-oriented, local response to climate change. It will
have impacts at the global level by contributing to Canada's efforts towards meeting
international agreements on climate change, such as those established in Kyoto and Bali.
• "The greenest building is the one that's already built. We cannot build our way to sustainability;
we must conserve our way to it." Carl Elefante, Architect. It takes more resources to build a new
building than to renovate an old one, and existing homes in Waterloo Region have the potential
to reduce their energy use by 20% or more, once energy efficiency measures are incorporated.
In Canada, the current housing stock is forecast to make up 66% of the housing stock in 2050.
Existing homes must become energy efficient and include renewable energy in order for
sustainable housing to become reality.
• Houses built before 1940 tend to be the least efficient (average potential energy savings of
36%), and represent a significant portion (14%) of Waterloo Region's housing stock. Homes built
before 1915 (7% of the Region's housing stock), were constructed in ways that present unique
challenges to implementing energy efficiency. As a century home, the REEP House will model
solutions to these challenges, while also demonstrating efficiency measures that will be suitable
for houses of any era.
Proposed Renovation Principles
These principles will guide the renovations. They have been designed to meet REEP's needs, and they
need to become achievable and accessible to the average homeowner.
• Use and promote existing labeling systems for products
• Use and promote existing certification systems for buildings
• Use products and materials that:
o have low environmental impact from "cradle to grave"
o are as energy efficient as possible
o are local
• Conserve water and protect water quality
• Use renewable energy as much as possible
• Protect indoor air quality in order to ensure a healthy working environment
• Minimize construction waste
• Showcase a variety of options suitable for different housing types and price ranges
The principles will be applied to the following systems:
• Heating/cooling
• Building envelope
• Insulation
• Flooring & wall materials and finishes
• Water (conservation and storm water management)
• Energy (efficient use and production)
• Transportation
• Space, storage, and facility requirements
• Indoor air quality & ventilation
• Climate control
• Lighting
• Sound/volume control
• Privacy, accessibility, health & safety