highlights canadian renovators council october 2011

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Highlights Canadian Renovators Council October 2011

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Page 1: Highlights Canadian Renovators Council October 2011

HighlightsCanadian Renovators CouncilOctober 2011

Page 2: Highlights Canadian Renovators Council October 2011

Presentations and Discussions

National Radon Program, Kelly Bush, Health Canada

CMHC Report, Duncan Hill, CMHC Ottawa

A New Renovator’s Experience, Victor Fiume, Oshaws

Asbestos Update, David Redmond, Ottawa

CRA Update, James Atkinson

NRCan Report, Conrad Baumgartner

CHBA Update: Renovation Month

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Page 3: Highlights Canadian Renovators Council October 2011

National Radon Program

Health Canada has extended the program by another 5 years, for continued research and awareness building.

To date, 14,000 homes have been tested for radon. 7% exceed the guideline level of 200Bq/m3. Excessive levels in 112 of 121 Health Regions: radon can

be found everywhere.

Canadian certification program for radon measurement and remediation—spring 2012.

Health Canada publication: Reducing Radon levels in Existing homes: A Canadian Guide for Professional Contractors. Available online (CRC).

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Page 4: Highlights Canadian Renovators Council October 2011

CMHC Report: A few highlights

Performance monitoring of EQuilibrium™ homes show that although some have come very close, none to date have achieved net-zero. Reasons include homeowner practices (higher plug loads) and less renewable energy production.

EQuilibrium™ Housing Insight fact sheets on technologies used in homes, of interest to both builders and renovators.

The Green Renovation Guide for Renovators will be available by the end of the year.

Other research: Alternative Water Ready Guide (rain/grey water)—in progress Tank-less domestic hot water retrofits (average 46%

reduction in natural gas use) Much more…

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Page 5: Highlights Canadian Renovators Council October 2011

Asbestos Update

CHBA commissioned a paper to review research and provincial legislation related to removal of drywall with asbestos-containing drywall joint compound (ACDJC).

BC, AB, ON and NFLD classify removal as Type 2 procedure, or “moderate risk” (Type 1, “low risk” elsewhere).

Type 2 procedure can add up to $15,000 to the cost of a renovation project.

Other research confirms conclusions by Pinchin Environmental (presentation at the CRC May meeting) that the risk associated with removal of drywall with ACDJC is overestimated.

Used less frequently due to cost, TEM testing (Transmission Electron Microscopy), is the only valid method of determining the risk of exposure. The test distinguishes between asbestos and other fibres.

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Page 6: Highlights Canadian Renovators Council October 2011

Canada Revenue Agency: Update highlights

Tuition Tax Credit now includes fees for exams, required reading materials, and other costs incurred by skilled trades.

New measures in place to limit tax deferral on income earned by a corporation through a partnership.

In the works: electronic filing options for builders to claim new home rebates online. Spring 2013.

New: info sheet with step-by-step instructions on completing the GI-118 Builders and GST/HST NETFILE returns.

The Atlantic Canada pilot program on the underground economy is completed. Surveys show an increased awareness of the Get it in Writing! message.

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Page 7: Highlights Canadian Renovators Council October 2011

NRCan Report

The ecoEnergy Retrofit program was renewed in June 2011: An additional $400 million Final deadline: March 31, 2012 Homeowners must complete the work and the post-retrofit

evaluation before the dead line

The next generation R-2000 Technical Standard and the new Energy Star Standard will both be published in January 2012 and mandatory as of July 1, 2012.

The updated EnerGuide Rating System (ERS) will go out for public review in January 2012. Launch is expected in December 2012.

A new CSA standard for drain water heat recovery is currently is in public review.

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Page 8: Highlights Canadian Renovators Council October 2011

CHBA Updates

Renovation Month: As a national sponsor, Home Hardware distributed

4 million flyers across Canada with an ad promoting CHBA’s Get it in Writing! message during October 2011.

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Page 9: Highlights Canadian Renovators Council October 2011

Want to Know More?

The Chair’s report, provincial reports and other reports.

Presentations.

Summary of presentations and discussions.

Renovator Resources, a listing of materials, activities and other useful information discussed at the meeting.

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Go to the CRC’s page in the Members Area of the CHBA website—no password is needed— and look for: