Book Description

In 1995, a multi-unit residential building, the Conservation Co-op, was constructed that embodied as many environmentally sound concepts and technologies as was possible within the confines of an extremely tight budget. The objective of the development team was to provide affordable housing with minimal environmental impact, enhanced durability and superior occupant health and comfort. After five full years of occupancy, CMHC initiated a review of the performance of the building, particularly with respect to energy and water consumption, indoor air quality and the operational experience with many of the "green" innovations included in the building. The review revealed that the enhanced insulation levels, high efficiency space and domestic hot water heating appliances, low E windows, and heat recovery ventilation were economically sound choices. It also illustrated the costs associated with continuous ventilation strategies and the need for more efficient fan-moter set technologies and distribution systems. Many of the "green" features met, or exceeded expectations while others failed altogether. Overall, the building is a successful project as it managed to incorporate many environmentally sound design and construction practices and its experiences are readily available to others considering similar projects. This compendium contains the research projects conducted to assess the performance of the Conservation Co-op and the degree to which the original goals of the project were met. The research reports contained herin document annual operating energy and water use, embodied energy, and water reclamation efforts. The compendium is prefaced with a summary paper that documents all of the innovative aspects of the building and provides an overview of the projects successes and where improvements could be made. Further information is also available on the CMHC web site www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/research/highrise under the title Building Innovation.