October 2nd is officially Energy Efficiency Day, but I work with, and beside, and around folks who are into energy efficiency every day of the year. All of them have great stories, and all of them are passionate about what they do. And pretty much all of them love, love, love building science.
So in mid-September I sent out an email blast to invite people to tell me why they’re passionate about what they do. I got loads of ‘not right now busy, but definitely next time.’ I know how busy most folks are, I really should have asked them back in July sometime and pestered them for weeks.
Some folks managed to squeeze in a bit of time and thought, so thank you to everyone listed below!
I’ll keep asking, with more lead time. And I’ll keep posting these short profiles of colleagues, peers, friends, and new acquaintances in energy efficiency! Because we’ve got to share successes and make connections and build strong allies across dozens of disciplines, trades, and roles.
May one or more of these stories inspire you on your own journey.
I hope that by featuring a range of people in my network that I can not only spark interest in people looking to get into this field, but also generate more cross-pollination between folks.
One thing that strikes me is how widely the ‘origin’ stories of folks vary. Nobody in this list was (is) on a straight-line trajectory (I know some deeper background stories because I've interviewed some of these folks for my podcast, This Must Be The Place). The thing that stitches them all together is passion and curiousity and interest in making people’s lives better.
Also: what a bunch of nerds. The highest quality. Y’all are my favourite.
Thanks all for taking the time to make this article a real thing.
Here we go, in no particular order:
ANGELA BUSTAMANTE C.E.T, MEA, RVDT, LEED AP+BD+C
Technical Director of Builder Services, Building Knowledge Canada
This is a role that forces the attention to detail and involvement in so many aspects of the industry from energy to hvac to building codes, incentive programs, voluntary programs, municipal goals to all move the building industry forward.
After eighteen plus years with Building Knowledge Canada I’m still baffled at how much the industry of energy, HVAC, codes relates to Building Science and House as a System. My enjoyment of the being a part of the industry and throughout all my roles from drafting, admin, scheduling, energy software, HVAC design, Energy Advisor, committees, it still all comes down to Building Science.
Building Science is a science that you just can’t change.
You can really mess things up in a build or through a program or even a code for that matter but you cannot change the science behind it. I love being in the mix of the chaos of communication between parties and bringing one focus – building science – the why and then the how it can be applied to the necessary application.
CMHC provided early research and coined the term the “house-as-a-system”, which basically implies that all the systems in a building are interconnected and influenced by their environment. Changes to any one system component will affect other systems and the cumulative effect of the systems working together is greater than the effect of any single system.
In other words a short example, if you are working on the building envelope you can’t forget the HVAC designs and the mechanical systems and how they relate and impact one another.
In relation, a particular profession, may it be an architectural designer, an HVAC designer, Plans Examiner/Inspector and Energy Advisor or Builder’s team of contracts/scopes/site/trades all play a vital role in keeping “House As A System” together for the right reasons and minimalize risks. I enjoy being the central base.
Website: www.buildingknowledge.ca
(Listen to my conversation with Angela on This Must Be The Place)
CHRIS BENJAMIN
Senior Energy Coordinator, Ecology Action Centre
I am the Senior Energy Coordinator focused on energy efficiency in buildings. Our energy team of eight people is divided between supply-side (replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy) and demand-side (using less energy by being more efficient) work. I lead a sub-team of four people.
Our work focuses on alleviating energy poverty, helping communities (like faith groups) save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by making their buildings more efficient, electrifying home heating and switching to heat pumps, preparing the labour force for a zero-carbon transition, and ensuring Nova Scotia and Canada make the needed energy policy and investments for a zero-carbon future.
But my passion is a good story. I strongly believe the words of Laguna Pueblo author Leslie Marmon Silko, who wrote that stories "are all we have, you see, all we have to fight off illness and death." She was writing of a specific Native American context, but stories shape and define our understanding of everything. As much as I love science and the depth of knowledge it has given human beings, stories are how we interpret the world.
My work is really about bringing people—smart, dedicated people with strong hearts and minds—together to share stories about energy needs, use, challenges, and solutions.
My favourite book on sustainability is Ishmael by Daniel Quinn, the story of humanity told by a gorilla.
*Chris Benjamin is a husband, dad, dog friend, and the author of six books (half of 'em true). He's a senior energy coordinator at Ecology Action Centre.*
SONJA WINKELMAN, EP
Senior Director, Net Zero Housing, CHBA
In 2014 I joined the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) to head up its newly formed Net Zero Council (NZC). Having worked in the energy efficient housing field (EnerGuide, Built Green, R-2000, Net Zero) for 10 years at that point, I was excited about working with a larger audience of builders.
Leading the development of CHBA’s Net Zero Home Labelling Program as well as the associated training courses and marketing efforts has been one of my proudest career accomplishments. The Program provides the industry and consumers with a clearly defined and rigorous two-tiered technical requirement that recognizes Net Zero and Net Zero Ready Homes, and the builders and renovators who provide them.
In addition to the educational offerings including our Net Zero Leadership Summit, and the marketing resources, participants say they really value networking with like-minded professionals that they can bounce ideas off, share challenges with, and get inspired from.
Today, more than 2,100 homes in Canada have been labelled, the program has expanded to include renovations and multi-unit residential buildings (with a new alternative compliance path), the NZC is celebrating its 10th year, and I now have a team of 5 hard-working lovely people helping to help make the program even better for our members! We’ve added more IAQ components to the program, and most recently, we’ve been working on operational and embodied GHGs, as well as best practices for climate change resiliency.
The work we do is always evolving, which is part of the challenge and excitement that motivates me.
On a personal note, I’ve been driving an all-electric car since 2016, I’ve lived in an all-electric semi-detached Net Zero Ready Home since 2022, and I received the Environmental Professional (EP) designation from ECO Canada in 2019.
Here's a link to our consumer-oriented blog posts: https://blog.chba.ca/category/net-zero/
(Listen to my conversation with Sonja on This Must Be The Place)
NATALIE LEONARD, P. ENG.
Founding Partner, Passive Design Solutions
I am an engineer by education and a design/builder by trade. My work has been greatly influenced by my extensive world travels. Travel experiences have impacted her view about the fair and equitable use of resources- especially how many resources we use in North America for housing in comparison to the rest of the world.
For the past 20+ years, I have been on a mission to figure out how we can reduce our share of energy use in housing in a cost- effective way. A way that would allow mainstream implementation in the market. The climate crisis has her even more motivated.
My desire to reduce the housing carbon footprint led me to start the company: Passive Design Solutions (PDS) 15 years ago. I am Canada’s first Certified Passive House Consultant and Builder. As the founder of Passive Design, my (and now our) mission is to make sustainable, high-performance homes affordable for everyone. My engineering background, hands-on design and construction experience, and practical approach to building has made Passive Design the industry leader it is today.
Passive Design has created a series of single-family Net Zero home plans. We work with affordable housing projects to bring net zero housing to everyone, not just owners with deep pockets. We believe that in order for these home designs to be widely adopted, they need to be: beautiful, practical, cost effective, easy to build, easy to maintain.
“ If I had known how hard building the first Passive House project (in Canada) would’ve been, I wouldn’t have have done it. After 3 – 4 builds, I wondered why I thought it was hard at all! After 15 years and 400 projects later, we’ve come a long way.”
I have performed every role in the company at various points in time. Passive Design began as a design-build firm and has transitioned to an architectural design firm based on my initial vision to make a bigger impact on the climate crisis by working on more projects. I now specializes in affordable, multi-family projects to which I contributes my engineering, construction support, energy consulting, and project management expertise. My passion is making high-quality and energy efficient housing more affordable and accessible in the mainstream.
I am passionate about this work because it makes a difference to our planet. I enjoy working with our team and clients with shared values. Working on projects that are highly collaborative and without ego is most rewarding for me. Creating well designed spaces that are net zero energy use and provide housing for the underserved populations and everyday people is my favorite work.
Here’s a link to our work:
https://blog.passivedesign.ca/blog/tag/net-zero
BRENDAN HALEY
Senior Director of Policy Strategy, Efficiency Canada
I am a Senior Director of Policy Strategy at Efficiency Canada, a national energy efficiency research and advocacy organization. My passion is what you some call “policy entrepreneurship”. I like finding policy areas that are neglected and meaningful, where I can make a difference, and then figuring out how to introduce good solutions, at the right time in a particular political environment.
I like working on energy efficiency policy advocacy because not that many other people are doing it. I get to advocate for inspiring and positive solutions because energy efficiency delivers benefits for affordability, health, and equity.
When a policy change happens, it is often quite clear we played a key role in it. Over my career, I played a role in advocating for the creation of Efficiency Nova Scotia (Canada’s first energy efficiency utility). I know that if it wasn’t for our work we probably wouldn’t have seen a low-income energy efficiency program funded in the last budget, the creation of an acceleration fund for building code adoption, or the creation of deep retrofit accelerator programs across Canada.
Of course, progress in energy efficiency is really accomplished by the people working in the buildings, or implementing programs, or working in government. I know I play a niche role on the advocacy and research side by contributing to public policy debates and discussions.
It is important to never be satisfied because most policies are far from perfect. It is important to understand the benefits of limitations of previous policy wins and then strive to make them better and perhaps transform them completely. I always try and understand what currently exists and what is possible, while always thinking about how to achieve what might seem impossible today.
My favourite book on sustainability is “The Social Costs of Private Enterprise” written by K William Kapp in 1950. This was an early presentation of the idea that pollution is an external cost created by markets. His solution was to stop the problems before they start through policies where private business and governments work to change the structure and direction of markets, in contrast to incremental policies, like pollution taxes, to manage social and environmental “externalities”.
Links
Where I work: https://www.efficiencycanada.org/
Where I post
linkedin.com/in/brendan-haley-3b6b0721
https://bsky.app/profile/brhaley.bsky.social
(Listen to my conversation with Brendan on This Must Be The Place)
JACK ZHOU, MEA
President, A & J Energy Consultants Inc.
As a Master Energy Advisor in Canada and the President of A & J Energy Consultants Inc., my work revolves around transforming Canadian homes into high-performance, energy-efficient living spaces. With a background spanning from hands-on residential construction to teaching energy-efficient housing techniques, I’ve spent nearly two decades working to accelerate the transition to sustainable housing.
My passion is rooted in the belief that every home can—and should—be both energy-efficient and comfortable, without compromising affordability. I thrive on finding cost-effective solutions that not only reduce energy consumption but also enhance the quality of life for homeowners. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness the tangible impacts of energy modeling and sustainable design come to life through the houses we work on.
One of my favorite parts of this journey is collaborating with like-minded builders and homeowners who are committed to sustainability. Seeing the lightbulb moment when they understand the long-term benefits of energy-efficient homes is priceless. Education is also a huge focus in my work—whether it’s mentoring other energy advisors, teaching techniques globally, or working as a technical committee member, I aim to share knowledge that helps create a sustainable future.
Website: www.ajec.ca/
ANDY COCKBURN
Senior Director, Education and Impact, NAIMA Canada
A little over 20 years ago, I was working for a Canadian company that was building high-performance homes in panels to ship out all over the world – Russia, Japan, Ireland, the USA and more. We were assembling the parts and pieces of “Super-E” houses on a small factory floor, labelling and shipping panels on flatbed trucks and in sea cans. The energy performance of these houses was baked into the construction process, and we were operating to strict tolerances and standards of quality to keep envelope performance as high as possible.
The time I’ve spent working on site and in shops has given me a good grounding in the practicalities of energy efficient housing, thinking about how things go together and troubleshooting weak spots in built assemblies. The world of energy efficient construction and renovation / retrofit fascinates me, especially as I learn more about systems like Passive House, R2000 and Net Zero and how we might create buildings that can use the sun for heating, solar power and possibly even independence from the grid.
I have gravitated toward a role as a bridge builder, doing my best to fill the gap between scientific white paper and boots on the ground. I’m using all my skills and knowledge as a builder, a woodworker, a designer and a teacher to help people understand. Through training, collaboration and many, MANY drawings, I have worked to communicate the importance of energy efficiency in housing. And I love what I do!
NAIMA CANADA Green Building Skills Training
NAIMA Canada Building Science Resources
(Listen to my conversation with Andy on This Must Be The Place)
SHANNA GREATHOUSE
Founder, Pigybak
As the founder of Pigybak, a tech marketplace built around community collaboration, my role revolves around making home improvement projects easier, more affordable, and most importantly—sustainable. My passion for sustainability started long before Pigybak, rooted in the understanding that small, consistent changes can have a big impact, especially when amplified by community efforts. This philosophy of combining environmental responsibility with efficiency guides much of what we do at Pigybak.
One of my favorite parts of my work is seeing the direct impact Pigybak has on communities. Whether it's helping neighbors bundle projects to reduce emissions or creating incentives for contractors to adopt greener practices, it’s rewarding to see people come together in pursuit of shared goals. Our social feature, Pigybak Ride, is a perfect example of this. It encourages neighbors to collaborate on home projects, reducing the number of trips contractors need to make, which in turn cuts down on emissions. Every contractor using our app's scheduling feature is the equivalent of planting 30 trees—small changes with a big, collective impact.
In a blog post, The Neighbor Effect: Four Ways Group Home Projects Can Save Time, Money, And Stress, I shared how coordinating with neighbors can lower costs and environmental impact at the same time. It’s amazing to see that by bundling services like roof repairs, painting, or even yard work, homeowners not only save time and money but also help cut emissions by up to 10%. It’s the ultimate win-win for everyone involved.
I’m excited to celebrate how far we've come but also recognize how much more we can do. Pigybak is built on the belief that together, we can all make our homes—and our world—a little greener. From helping small contractors optimize their routes to reducing the need for multiple service calls, our platform is driving real change.
I’m always happy to chat more about the intersection of tech, community, and sustainability.
Here’s to a more energy-efficient future!
Website: www.pigybak.com
NICK RUDNICKI
Project Manager and Climate/Carbon Nerd, Bentley Built
I have been building for the last 15 years. Pretty early in that time I realized the massive potential for what we build to meaningfully impact the climate crisis which was looming and now is resounding. At first the focus was on making sure that all projects that I oversaw were installed to the highest standard of energy efficiency and air tightness that it could bear. That priority got quickly updated when I learned about the potentially massive impact of the embodied carbon within the building materials we choose to use.
Once the impact of embodied carbon became clear it was no longer responsible of me to keep building new buildings with architect-preferred steel and spray foam. The embodied carbon penalty is simply too high. This forced me to shift focus on developing and deploying carbon-responsible pre-fab panels for not only my own projects, but for other builders that wanted to have most of their projects building science dealt with off-site.
This is work that I am continuing to pursue in my new role as Project Manager at Bentley Built, where the team is working on upgrading and proving out the pre-fab panelization we already use in our projects. Through this I am working towards accelerating the deployment of high performance buildings, with the lowest (hopefully negative) embodied carbon and the best use of the limited labour capacity we currently have.
Website: https://bentleybuilt.ca/
EMMA CONWAY
Energy Advisor, Senior Project Manager, E3 Eco Group Inc.
I graduated from the University of Victoria with a BA specializing in Urban Development and Environmental Studies. Drawing from this experience I now work as an Energy Advisor delivering Step Code, EnerGuide, BuiltGreen and CHBA Net Zero programs. I specialize in high performance Single Family Homes and Townhomes. I strive to make the homes we live in more energy efficient and environmentally friendly by selecting more sustainable building materials and practices.
I enjoy the variety of work an Energy Advisor encounters on a day-to-day basis. This includes working with clients to select different ‘upgrade option packages’ to find a solution that is both energy efficient and cost effective, completing mid-construction blower door testing to increase the airtightness of the home which in turn reduces operational costs, and when a home reaches completion providing the final EnerGuide Rating label for the home, demonstrating the final as built energy performance.
I’m passionate about sharing my 10 years of construction knowledge with the industry. My favourite part of the job is providing airtightness and building science education through E3 Eco Group as well as being a part time instructor through the British Columbia Institute of Technology. It is important that all trades, consultants, and contractors achieve higher levels of understanding and skill as we move through the higher levels of Step Code.
I look forward to the future of building practices in BC as we strive to be Net Zero energy ready by 2032. Working at E3 Eco Group, I helps clients strive towards higher levels of Step Code compliance. This work includes providing recommendations for builders to enhance envelope thermal performance, mechanical performance, and increased airtightness to meet the different levels of Step Code.
Looking ahead, I see embodied carbon reduction as the next important target that the industry will need to address. Although this seems to be a time of rapid change in the building community, I look forward to providing support to help transform the building industry to reach even higher levels of energy performance and sustainability.
Website: www.e3ecogroup.com
LORRIE RAND
Habit Studio, Director of Sustainability, ReCover Initiative, Design Director
I am a designer and building science specialist and I divide my time 50/50 between Habit Studio and the ReCover Initiative. I’m also an instructor with Passive House Canada, this fall I’m teaching courses on deep retrofits and thermal bridge analysis.
In my work as Habit Studio’s Director of Sustainability, I work with our team to design high performance homes and other buildings. We have designed over 20 homes to Passive House levels of energy efficiency, and we are nearing completion on our first Passive House retrofit to an 1850s Halifax house which we are converting into our offices. Energy modeling is projecting a 92% reduction in heating demand, total energy reduction of 87% and 88% GHG emissions reductions. We’re very excited that we’ll be moving in this fall.
I am the Design Director for the ReCover Initiative. ReCover has grown quickly, and this fall we are launching the Atlantic Canada Deep Retrofit Accelerator to break through the barriers to implementing deep retrofits at scale across the region. Every day is a new adventure right now with ReCover, as we bring on new team members and prepare to start delivering on new programs and services.
The most fun part of my job is also the most challenging – building science puzzles are sneaky and it’s super satisfying to solve them. I feel lucky that I get to make a tangible contribution to reducing the impacts of climate change, while helping improve people’s lives by making buildings safer, healthier and more comfortable. Lastly, one of the best things about both of my companies is that they are both women-founded and women- led.
For details on Habit’s office renos visit us here
https://www.habitstudio.ca/falkland
Sign up for ReCover’s launch events and round-tables here
https://www.recoverinitiative.ca/events/upcoming-events
(Listen to my conversation with Lorrie on This Must Be The Place)
PAUL SEHR
Founder, Jouliea
I am a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Jouleia.com. My passion is home electrification and helping homeowners through the energy transition.
With the climate crisis accelerating and homes representing 13% of Canada's emissions, retrofitting and electrifying homes is essential.
I experienced firsthand how difficult it was to electrify my home and decided to create Jouleia to help others. I did manage to cut emissions in my century old home by 98% and energy use by 86%, but only after spending a lot of time researching solutions and searching for installers.
The biggest issue for heat pump adoption is that most people wait until their equipment breaks, and then hastily replace it under duress with no time to research alternatives. This locks in inefficient, fossil-fuel heating for another generation.
Jouleia is an online heat pump education tool and planner which also connects homeowners with expert advice, quality installers and local incentives.
It helps people understand when their equipment is at high risk of failure and helps them understand the tradeoffs of moving to heat pumps.
Jouleia is available directly to homeowners, but also partners with municipalities and utilities so they can educate their constituents on heat pumps.
As founder I wear many hats, my favourite part of the job is interacting with customers and seeing them appreciate the benefits of modern, efficient, all-electric upgrades!
Website: www.jouleia.com
CINDY GAREAU
Executive Director, Canadian Association of Consulting Energy Advisors (CACEA)
I am proud to be the executive director of the Canadian Association of Consulting
Energy Advisors (CACEA – the “A” at the end is silent).
For the past 5-years, I have had the privilege of representing and working with an incredible group of professionals who are necessary, knowledgeable, and passionate about what they do. CACEA is a special organization, and our members are at the top of their game.
Our Canada-wide members are committed to helping homeowners, renovators, builders, and Part 9 industry stakeholders make GOOD decisions. They are recognized as credible and respected EAs servicing existing homes and new construction because they are held to a higher standard than ‘regular’ NRCan licensed EAs:
- holding Errors and Omissions insurance
- requiring18 hours of continuing education annually
- providing an annual confirmation that they’re in good standing with NRCan
- abiding by our Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
We also have an elite group of highly qualified Master Energy Advisors (MEA) – a valued resource for me and the larger Part 9 building sector. CACEA supports members, as well as non-members and the larger community, by providing valued information, upskilling, best practices, and training opportunities; a supportive network; and advocacy with all levels of government, program providers, and industry stakeholders.
We are also committed to facilitating a sustained profession – reducing the impact of incentive-driven “boom and bust” situations, by facilitating ancillary training opportunities that equip EAs to provide additional services such as a Whole-house CSA F280 Calculation and Integrated Design Process Facilitation qualifications.
While I provide operational, governance, strategic, and advocacy support for CACEA, I too am passionate about promoting the industry at large and working with organizations across Canada to value the contributions and services of EAs beyond that of incentive and program verifiers.
EAs are the boots on the ground and Canada’s champions to help address the climate crisis and achieve our lofty goals and targets. I will continue to find ways to strengthen and elevate the profession and represent this unique and important profession.
Feel free to visit our website or contact me at manager@cacea.ca to learn about CACEA and our members; discuss advocacy needs; or simply say “hello”!
Website: www.cacea.ca
(Listen to my conversation with Cindy on This Must Be The Place)
If you’d like to be featured in Blue House Energy Blog’s next roundup of profiles, please let me know in the comments!
