HSS Design Build Blog

Check out our videos and articles that share details about our projects, Passive House, and sustainable design, as well as upcoming events we’re involved in!

HSS Design Build is a CEIP Qualified Contractor! 

Access flexible financing with CEIP to invest in eligible home upgrades that save energy.

December 20, 2022

We are excited to announce that HSS Design Build is a Qualified Contractor with the Clean Energy Improvement Program! The Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) makes it easier for property owners to improve their home’s energy performance with eligible energy efficiency or renewable energy upgrades with financing repaid through their property taxes. 

As a CEIP Qualified Contractor, we help you choose eligible energy-efficient and/or renewable energy upgrades that help you save energy. We can help you choose CEIP-eligible upgrades such as insulation, air sealing, window and door replacement, and coordinate with subcontractors for other eligible upgrades. 

We can help you apply for CEIP financing for eligible upgrades. With CEIP, you can finance up to 100% of your project costs, conveniently repaid through your property taxes. This is an alternative to traditional financing, with approval based primarily on your property assessment and tax payment history, subject to your municipality’s Program Terms and Conditions. Rates are competitive with flexible terms. 

In Canmore, CEIP is only available for residential properties. 

More about CEIP: 

  • CEIP is a financing option that is paid back as a separate charge on your property tax bill. 

  • CEIP payments may be transferrable to a new owner if you sell your property, but in certain circumstances (e.g. condition of sale) you may need to pay off the balance owing. 

  • CEIP interest rates are competitive with other financing options. 

  • CEIP is a clean energy improvement charge on your property tax bill. 

  • The clean energy improvement charge can be repaid in full at any time. 

  • CEIP may save you money. 

Other than being listed as a Qualified Contractor, we have no further affiliation with CEIP. For more information on the program, you can visit www.ceip.abmuis.ca . 

 

HSS Design Build is an Approved Contractor with ERA’s Energy Savings for Business Program!

December 14, 2022

HSS Design Build is now an approved contractor with Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA)'s Energy Savings for Business Program!

Commercial and industrial businesses looking to apply for eligible measures incentives through the Program can now add our team to their application as their approved contractor. We can install eligible energy efficiency measures and guide you through the application process, providing all necessary information and documentation on your behalf.

For the full measures list and more information about the ESB Program, please visit:

https://eralberta.ca/esb

Or check out their brochure:

https://www.eralberta.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/ERA-ESB-ContractorOnePager-Oct-6.pdf

Banff Site Update

Banff Vapor Barrier and Insulation Detail

December 12, 2022

HSS Principal Raph walks through what’s going on at the Pavilion site in Banff. Right now, we’re working on the vapor barrier and insulation detail, with our breathable membrane and EPS insulation installed. Stay tuned to see the rest of the project unfold!



 

Eco-Solar Home Tour 2022

June 17, 2022


Come join us Saturday June 25, 2022 on this free tour of energy efficient homes around Canmore, Alberta. Two of the homes on the tour have been designed and constructed by us. Our Deep Energy Retrofit and our energy efficient accessory dwelling unit are on the list. Check out https://ecosolar.ca/canmore.html for details and addresses of the homes.

 
 

Canmore Deep Energy Retrofit - the Building Envelope

May 17, 2022


Using Passive House design principles, we have created a much thicker building envelope using a Larsen truss system. This will bring the walls R-value up to an extremely efficient total of R-57. We used Larsen trusses with layers of Rockwool insulation, as well as Passive House cold climate certified windows. The blue layer you see is our WRB (water resistive barrier) with the vertical and horizontal strapping on top to support the exterior cladding.

Stay tuned to see more progress!

 

Passive House Principles

January 18, 2022

PASSIVE HOUSE PRINCIPLES
The main principles of passive house design are:
1. Proper insulation
Thicker insulation for Passive House
We at HSS use sustainable insulation
2. No air leakages
Continuous air tight layer
3. No thermal bridges
Always a layer of insulation where there is an opening for a window, door, or structural elements
Important step to reduce heating loss
4. Proper windows (passive house certified) with triple paned glass
5. Heat recovery ventilation system that brings in fresh air without letting heat out

 

Passive House Design Introduction with HSS Principal Raphael Spinner

December 22, 2021

Welcome! Thank you for joining us at HSS Design Build to discuss Passive House principles.

  • Passive house design has been around for 30 years now 

  • It is based on physical principles and sustainable design techniques that should be adapted to the specific climate of each project

  • Passive House doesn’t just mean it’s used for residential new build projects, it can be applied to commercial projects as well as used for retrofits of existing buildings, we are currently working on a retrofit building right now, stay tuned for an upcoming video about this project.

  • Passive Houses stay at a comfortable and consistent temperature year-round with minimal energy inputs. Such buildings are heated “passively”, making efficient use of the sun, internal heat sources and heat recovery.

  • The homes are heated with as little as your own body heat, and heat from the sun, appliances, light bulbs, etc.

  • Passive Homes use 90% less energy than a standard building

  • Significant savings have also been demonstrated in warm climates where buildings typically require active cooling throughout the summer.

  • Passive House certified buildings are designed with the help of the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) where we enter data on the building and surrounding climate. This allows us to see what design techniques need to be modified to reach the annual heating demand of 15 kWh/m2/a which is required for PH certification.

  • Passive House design is very versatile and does not require a specific method of construction. They could be made up of solid construction, wood, composite, etc. 

  • Designing to passive house standards will result in extremely low heating and cooling costs, despite rising energy prices. Although the initial build may be a bit more expensive, a Passive House will quickly pay for itself, and in the long-term view, is much cheaper.

  • Join us with regularly posted videos and blogs focusing in more detail on Passive House and sustainable design strategies

 

Welcome to HSS Design Build’s Blog!

October 19, 2021

The Owner of HSS Design Build, Raphael Spinner speaks here with Passive House Alberta about his learnings from an deep energy retrofit of a single family dwelling in Canmore.

HSS Design Build is accelerating the transition to energy-efficient and Passive House Construction standards in the Bow Valley and beyond. Raphael is passionate about timeless design and European construction methods to build efficient structures to last for generations.