BASF visits EcoPlusHome

The German based BASF, the worlds leading chemical company, met with the EcoPlusHome team in New Brunswick.  BASF's Canadian management represented by Pierre Couture and Robert Armstrong wanted to get first hand information about the most energy efficient home built in Atlantic Canada. The EPH is built as a prefabricated construction by Maple Leaf Homes with a technology component system by BOSCH Thermotechnology. BASF manufactures different environmentally friendly construction materials which can be used in the next EPH developments.  One of these materials is Polyurethane foam spray insulation which replaces conventional fiberglass insulation with a better insulation consistency and higher R value. 

The EPH team organized a tour through the manufacturing plant of Maple Leaf Homes in Fredericton as well as a site visit of the EcoPlusHome test house in Bathurst. Couture and Armstrong were impressed with the technical layout and the integrated system of renewable BOSCH technologies at the EPH test house.  The project partners agreed to proof the integration of BASF's materials to strengthen the efficiency of the home envelope of the next EPH developments.

BOSCH meets the New Government of New Brunswick

Ervin Cash, General Manager of BOSCH TT in North America and Gino DiNezza, Canadian Sales Manager of BOSCH TT, were onsite at the EPH test house for a project update and several partner meetings in Fredericton.  BOSCH and the EPH team had the opportunity to meet with the newly elected Government of New Brunswick.  New Brunswick Premier Hon. David Alward and Minister of Education Hon. Jody Carr, and Fredericton MLA Troy Lifford talked with Cash and the EPH team about the EPH project and also about the fast growing market of renewable technologies in North America. BOSCH took the time to explain the importance of advanced incentive programs in the field of energy efficiency to stimulate investments and create more jobs in this sector. The Premier pointed out that the new Government will be following their platform very closely.  One of the goals within this platform is to foster the development of green, renewable energy sources.  Premier Alward invited the BOSCH management for further meetings in the near future to continue that discussion.

The EPH team organized several other meetings with project partner and a visit of Kingswood Park in Fredericton for BOSCH. Brian Johnson of Kingswood Park met with Cash and DiNezza to discuss the possible integration of renewable heating/cooling technology in his golf and fitness facilities.

Ervin Cash said, he is looking forward "to many business opportunities within the EPH project". BOSCH will continue the partnership with the EPH project to realize different EPH developments in Atlantic Canada and other markets in North America.

EPH at the Atlantic Green Show in Moncton

Together with project partner Maple Leaf Homes the EPH project will be presented at the first Atlantic Green Show this month in Moncton, New Brunswick.  The EPH team will give detailed information during the show and will explain the different components needed to become the most energy efficient home. Special video and information materials will be available at the Maple Leaf Homes booth.  Furthermore the EPH team will be presenting a special seminar at this event focusing on Net Zero construction and the next steps for EcoPlusHome developments in Atlantic Canada.  Key note speaker of the show will be environmental activist and science broadcaster Dr. David Suzuki.

The Green Home Show is organized by the Canadian Home Builders Association and will be located at the Moncton Coliseum on Nov 19 to Nov 21 2010. More info online

EPH in the media

The Canadian and international media released more articles about the EPH project. The Italian Magazine 'Informazione & Ambiente" published a detailed article about the project as an example of one of the first affordable Net Zero homes in North America.

On the regional level the New Brunswick newspaper "The Northern Light" published an interview with EPH Project Manager Scott Tidd.

All new media articles are available on the EPH website

Partner Profile: Roy Consultants

Roy Consultants as one of the EPH project partners was responsible for some engineering support in the design of the EcoPlusHome. The company possesses a multidisciplinary structure offering services in different domains of engineering as electrical, mechanical, environmental and structural. The company model strives at making the project delivery process more fluid by grouping together all the expertise under one roof. Its personnel in highly specialized fields of expertise are nevertheless complimentary when working in teams within the framework of multidisciplinary mandates. Founded in 1984 Roy Consultants can now relay on more than 90 bilingual professionals working at the Bathurst head office and four more locations in New Brunswick. More information about Roy Consultants online