The winning projects for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Decathlon 2024 Design Challenge were announced on Sunday, April 21, and this year two Canadian teams made the podium. The Solar Decathlon challenges university students to design high-performance, low-carbon buildings powered by renewable energy and compete in one of four divisions: single-family housing; attached housing; multi-family building; and education building. Since 2002, more than 40,000 students worldwide have participated in the Solar Decathlon’s 10 contests. This year saw more than 250 students from 40 finalist te ..read more

In the 430-page budget released by the Federal Government on Tuesday, April 16 there was a strong focus on new home building and home affordability. As part of the Canada Housing Plan announced last week, the government aims to unlock 3.87 million new homes by 2031, which includes a minimum of 2 million net new homes on top of the 1.87 million homes already expected to be built by 2031. To achieve these targets the feds are looking at converting unused federal public buildings, including post office sites and national defence sites across the country, into housing. House Building Technology Th ..read more

The Mechanical Electrical Electronic Technology (MEET) show is returning to Moncton, running Wednesday, May 1st and Thursday, May 2nd at the Moncton Coliseum Complex. This will be the 25th edition of the biennial event that features the latest equipment, products, and technology for plumbing and HVAC/R contractors in Atlantic Canada and beyond. This year’s educational component includes a free seminar series for all attendees with topics including: Building Decarbonization Basics Incorporating Hydronic Heat Pumps into Hybrid Designs Decarbonization, Discussing Types of Heat Pumps and Technolo ..read more

Wolseley Canada will be holding a grand opening at its new branch in North Surrey on Wednesday, April 24. At the event, the company will announce the Wolseley Canada Skilled Trades Bursary, in partnership with Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU), and officials from KPU will be in attendance to receive a cheque. Located at 13070 – 115 Avenue, the new North Surrey branch is a 20,000 sq. ft. facility offering a full range of plumbing and HVAC products. The site also includes a Studio showroom featuring kitchen and bath along with lighting fixtures. The grand opening event will run from 4 to 7 p ..read more

The Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes (CBHCC) is seeking volunteers to serve on code development committees for the 2030 code cycle of the National Model Codes (National Building Code of Canada, the National Fire Code of Canada, the National Plumbing Code of Canada, the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings, and the National Farm Building Code of Canada). The committee work is expected to kickoff in January 2025. Code development for the 2030 codes will include topics such as accessibility, climate change mitigation and adaptation, alterations to existing buildings, housi ..read more

SFA Saniflo Canada is spending 2024 marking a milestone, as it celebrates its 35th anniversary in Canada and North America. The Canadian division was the first North American site established by the Paris-based SFA Group, the organization that originated macerating plumbing 65 years ago in France. “Most industry professionals in Canada now readily recognize the Saniflo brand,” says Regis Saragosti, CEO of SFA Saniflo North America, which includes Canadian, U.S. and Mexican operations. “From its inception in 1958 to its expansion throughout Europe and, eventually, into Canada and all of North A ..read more

According to the latest report from Statistics Canada, the total value of building permits in Canada increased 9.3% month-over-month to $11.8 billion in February. The non-residential sector (industrial, commercial and institutional) grew 12.3% to $4.7 billion, while the building intentions in the residential sector increased 7.4% to $7.1 billion. Overall, from a dollar-value perspective, Ontario led the way in February (+21.7% to $5 billion) with gains occurring across all components. On the residential side, Ontario was up 14.2% contributing to both single-family and multi-family dwelling pe ..read more

The Ontario government is investing $9.5 million through its Grid Innovation Fund to support new projects designed to make the province’s electricity system more efficient with a focus on two sectors: heating and cooling; and transportation. Our government is building the grid of the future with a $9.5 million investment through the Grid Innovation Fund. We’re leveraging new technologies to keep bills down and to ensure we can continue to power the new homes we are building, an electrifying economy and new jobs! pic.twitter.com/Het7T3xsYZ — Todd Smith (@ToddSmithPC) April 9, 2024 “As the ele ..read more

ServiceTitan, the U.S.-based business management software platform built for service industries including HVAC and plumbing, is acquiring San Francisco-based Convex, a sales and marketing platform purpose-built for the commercial building services industry. Founded in 2017, Convex uses data-driven solutions to increase revenue for contractors by improving their go-to-market strategies and execution. Convex’s platform helps businesses serving commercial buildings to plan their growth strategies, target high-value opportunities, engage customers at the right time with the right messaging, and ma ..read more

In March Noble BC expanded to seven locations in the province with the opening of its new 15,400 sq. ft. branch in Kelowna. The wholesaler is now operating from the Fraser Valley, to Powell River, to the Thompson Okanagan, with locations in Mission, Maple Ridge, Surrey (Port Kells), Coquitlam, Vancouver, Sechelt and now Kelowna. noblebc.ca The post Noble BC opens in Kelowna appeared first on HPAC Magazine ..read more