Blog

HEPA Filters - 3 Key Things You Need to Know for Classrooms

Shawna HendersonJanuary 10, 2022

This Article Updated September 2024 I bought and tested HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) portable air filter for my main living space to help reduce viral and allergen loads. It's doing a good job. The specifications for the 170 s.f. space are shown to the right. Each model shows three...

Sexism in the construction industry - Shawna Henderson joins CBC’s “The Current” to discus

Shawna HendersonDecember 13, 2021

Join Blue House Energy CEO Shawna Henderson and owner of Belle Construction Kendall Ansen on CBC's "The Current" podcast, as they discuss the history of sexism in the construction industry, and its effect on women leaving the trades.   Listen to the podcast here

What does that EnerGuide for Houses Rating Mean?

Shawna HendersonSeptember 21, 2021

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) delivers the EnerGuide Rating System (ERS). Nearly all energy conservation and energy efficiency programs and incentives that the government of Canada and many provincial rebate programs use the ERS to benchmark existing energy use and potential savings that can come from improving your home's energy efficiency. The EnerGuide Rating System label shows the energy consumed by your house under standard operating conditions.  

Energy Advisor: What's the Investment?

Shawna HendersonAugust 10, 2021

There’s a lot to know when it comes to being an energy advisor. When Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'Regan made the Greener Homes Initiative announcement back in May, he mentioned that a person already in the industry could get trained in a week. While that’s technically true, it’s not real...

Energy Advisor: What's the Business Case?

Shawna HendersonJune 24, 2021

Blue House Energy is inundated w/requests from folks interested in becoming an Energy Advisor.  We’re not complaining!  No, no, no, we’re super excited to answer all of your questions. So this is the first in a series on the business of being an EA, reflecting some of the common questions...

How Climate Impacts Home Construction in Canada

Shawna HendersonMay 19, 2021

By designing for the future and retrofitting with climate in mind, buildings can be made more resilient and better equipped to handle changing temperature regimes. By taking a holistic approach and considering factors such as climate types, average temperatures, and precipitation, we can ensure that our buildings are not only code-compliant but also energy-efficient and comfortable for their occupants.

Better Solutions for Your Home Efficiency Questions - Ask Shawna!

Shawna HendersonApril 14, 2021

Do you have questions about best practices for your home’s energy conservation? Do you need solutions to your heat loss problem? Worried if your home meets new requirements? Wondering how can you improve heating efficiency, especially if you live in a colder climate? Shawna Henderson responds to contractor advice and...

Becoming an Energy Advisor Webinar with Efficiency Canada

Shawna HendersonMarch 30, 2021

Shawna Henderson, CEO, Blue House Energy joins Corey Diamond, Executive Director, Efficiency Canada to discuss what it takes to become an energy advisor on the ‘Becoming’ webinar series. The ‘Becoming’ series gives you a chance to get to know some of the people that make up the energy efficiency sector,...

Top 8 Resources on Ventilation and Air Filtration

Shawna HendersonOctober 31, 2020

This article from Blue House Energy features 8 articles and resources that outline current best practices related to COVID-19, aerosol transmission, ventilation, and air filtration.

5 Items That Will Impact Your Future As A Home Builder or Renovator in Canada

Shawna HendersonOctober 16, 2020

Happy fall! It’s soon time to hunker down with a good read, in a warm room, with a hot beverage. Here are five items that will have an impact on anyone who is involved with home construction and renovation.

4 Essential Market Trends for the Residential Construction and Renovation Industry in 2021

Shawna HendersonOctober 02, 20201 comment

This article is a summary of a session titled Essential Market Trends to Grow Your Business presented on 30 September 2020 by Sara Gutterman, Co-Founder and CEO of Green Builder Media (online and print media for new construction, retrofit, and prefab) at the EEBA 2020 Virtual Summit.  Green Builder Media has developed a pay-per use data...

3 Principles for Good IAQ: Eliminate, Ventilate, Filtrate

Shawna HendersonSeptember 25, 20201 comment

Between COVID, the coming winter, and wildfire smoke, there’s need for filtration as well as ventilation in buildings. Inexpensive, DIY solutions are available.

Diversity.

Shawna HendersonJuly 24, 2020

WE ARE LIVING IN VOLATILE TIMES.  The last few weeks - and let's face it, the last few months - have been full of discomfort, fear, and confusion. In addition to living through a health pandemic, the murder of George Floyd and the tidal wave of protests, debate, and reaction...