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Glossary

Millwork

Originally used to refer to wood features such as panelling, window sashes and trim, millwork now often includes cabinetry.

Glossary

Zone

A term that designates a space used for a particular purpose; for example, a dining room — even if its part of an open-concept design and distinguished only by a table, chairs and a chandelier — is a zone.

Glossary

Drainage tile

Below-surface, perforated pipe that carries subsurface water away from a foundation.

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Glossary

CFM

Abbreviation for cubic feet per minute, a measure of air flow. Bathroom exhaust fans are among the devices with CFM ratings — the higher the number, the more quickly air is exhausted to the outside.

Glossary

Swale

A shallow channel in the land with gently sloped sides often used for water management.

Glossary

Double or triple glazing

Two or three panes of glass in a window. The more panes, the more energy efficient the window.

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Glossary

Building envelope

The structure that separates conditioned and unconditioned spaces of a building; for example, exterior walls and the separation between an attic and the rest of the home. The airtightness of the building envelope is a major factor in increasing energy efficiency.

Glossary

Thermal bridging

The break in insulation caused by wood, steel or other material; for example, wooden studs in a wall cavity. Thermal bridging causes increased heat loss and cold spots in a structure.

Glossary

Below grade

That part of a building that is below the ground surface outside; for example, the majority of a basement.

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Glossary

Bearing wall

One that transfers the weight of a roof or floor above to a surface below such as a beam or foundation. Also called a load bearing wall. Altering or removing a bearing wall can cause serious structural damage and should be done only by a licenced professional.

Glossary

Universal design

Products and environments that meet the needs of a range of people, including those with and without disabilities. Examples include no-threshold showers that can be accessed by fully mobile people as well as those using a walker.

Glossary

Solar gain

The increase in internal temperature when solar energy enters a building through windows and is absorbed by floors or other surfaces.

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Glossary

Barrier-free design

A building that has no physical or other barriers that would prevent anyone, whether that person has a disability or not, from entering and using it. A building with stairs only to its entrance is not barrier-free because people with mobility restrictions may not be able to access it. Often referred to as accessible design.

Glossary

LEED

Stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a rating system that encourages sustainable green building and development practices through the use of a set of tools and performance criteria. LEED is a third-party certification program that recognizes performance in the areas of sustainable site development, water efficiency, energy efficiency, materials selection, indoor environmental quality and the importance of transportation access, open space and physical activity outdoors. Certification is granted at four levels: certified, silver, gold and platinum.

Glossary

Energy Star

A federal government energy-efficiency certification program under which a home must be tested by a third party and reach an EnerGuide rating of 83 or greater. Energy Star homes are about 20 per cent more energy efficient than a typical home.

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Glossary

Energy audit or evaluation

Provides a baseline of your home’s energy efficiency to help you plan improvements and to qualify for any government upgrade grants. A licensed energy evaluator will come to your home and do a series of tests to determine its efficiency.

Glossary

EnerGuide Rating System (ERS)

Federal government system for rating energy consumption and efficiency of homes. It’s similar to the EnerGuide labelling system used to rate energy efficiency of appliances and vehicles. ERS home ratings are done by trained energy advisers licensed by the federal government.

Glossary

Blower door test

Measures how leaky your house is. It’s done using a special instrumented door containing a large blower or fan. The blower door exhausts air from your home and measures the rate at which outdoor air leaks into your home through cracks, holes and openings in the exterior.

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