Phil Fung of HiGarden
John Bell, Greyter Water Systems
Todd Marron of Conserval Engineering
Richard Baumgartner of Plasti-Fab
On May 18, Sustainable Buildings Canada (SBC) hosted a product knowledge forum at the Steam Whistle Brewery in Toronto, ON. The event, entitled Innovative Ontario Solutions for Energy, attracted roughly 50 attendees and featured presentations on five Ontario-based sustainable building products.
Phil Fung, senior advisor, HiGarden Inc., Markham, ON, opened the event with a talk about the benefits of the Vertical Indoor Garden (VIGA). The VIGA features a pond, farm and wetland element and is small enough to fit on a desktop. “[With VIGA] You have an indoor air purification system,” Fung said. The company is currently conducting research with McMaster University and has plans to work with the University of Toronto on VIGA and net positive energy.
Todd Marron, national account manager, Conserval Engineering Inc., Toronto, ON, followed with a presentation on the Solar Wall. He explained that this product uses the sun’s energy to pre-heat ventilation air for commercial, industrial, institutional, multi-residential and agricultural buildings. It has also been used for crop and process drying purposes. Marron noted that the Solar Wall has a solar energy conversion of up to 80 per cent, and added that there is a bypass system so that buildings can also be cooled in the summer months.
Shawn Eldebs of HC products
Water conservation was next on the bill with John Bell, co-founder of Greyter Water Systems, Toronto, ON, explaining the Greyter water reuse system in residential homes. “There are so many pressures on water use today,” said Bell, adding that recycling shower water for toilet flushing or irrigation is a logical step in water conservation. Bell explained that Greyter water systems have a small footprint and are suited to new home construction.
The Radon Guard from Plasti-Fab is part of a radon mitigation system, which Richard Baumgartner, sales manager, Ontario and Quebec, explained is best suited to new construction. “Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer,” he said, adding that the Radon Guard replaces the gravel component in construction so that gas cannot seep into buildings.
The product portion of the event concluded with Shawn Eldebs, general manager at HC Products, Toronto, ON, who discussed the Quad-Lock system. Eldebs explained that Quad-Lock is made of insulated concrete forms (ICFs) for wall, floor and roof construction. He said it can help to reduce the size of HVAC systems as it holds in heat, and it is suited to radiant floor heating applications as well.
The evening wrapped up with a networking reception, and a reminder of the upcoming Sustainable Built Environment Conference of the Americas, which is being held at the Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre Hotel in Toronto, ON. The event is scheduled for September 19 to 20, 2016 and will feature keynote speakers and professional workshops. It is expected to attract more than 500 environmental professionals.
