Blog Posts

The Role of Geo in our Net Zero Future

• By Jacob Komar
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• Jan 13, 2022
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• Videos

In this recorded presentation we explore the risk of building traditional buildings as well as the role of geothermal systems in our Net Zero future. We show how we can achieve Net Zero easily using the efficiency of geo systems.

NECB 2017 – Changes in Alberta’s Energy Code (Update to NECB 2011)

• By Jacob Komar
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• Feb 6, 2019
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• Blog Post

In this blog post we review the lessons learned from over 2 years of NECB 2011 compliance modelling, and look at the changes in the upcoming NECB 2017 energy code.

RENEWABLE - Geothermal Systems

• By Jacob Komar
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• Dec 21, 2018
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• Videos

Really honoured to be featured in the City's Renewable Web Series talking about Geothermal Systems.

The Third Industrial Revolution: A Radical New Sharing Economy

• By Jacob Komar
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• Feb 27, 2018
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• Videos

A truly revolutionary talk by Jeremy Rifkin. If you watch one documentary this decade, make it this one.

From NECB 2011 to Net Zero

• By Jacob Komar
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• April 21, 2017
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• Blog Post

Just in time for Earth Day, we again make the case for Net Zero and try to show why every day it is getting riskier to not do it.

NECB 2011 - Alberta's New Energy Code - Are you ready?

• By Jacob Komar
• |
• Sept 22, 2015
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• Blog Post

In this blog post we examine the impacts of Alberta's new energy code and how we can best achieve compliance while maintaining flexibility and cost-effectiveness in our design.

Naomi Klein - March for Jobs, Justice & The Climate

• By Jacob Komar
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• June 11, 2015
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• Videos

A fantastic speech by Naomi Klein, author of This Changes Everything

Geothermal 201: Hitting the geothermal heating and cooling sweet spot

• By Green Energy Futures
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• May 4, 2015
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• Video

Check out the new article and video by Green Energy Futures on the sweetspot for geothermal, featuring... us! Enjoy.

The case against fossil fuels - and for a path to Net Zero

• By Jacob Komar
• |
• March 25, 2015
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• Blog Post

In this blog post we take inspiration from all the climate articles, books and data we've seen over the past few years as we make a case against using fossil fuels. We propose an alternative path (based on renewables) that put our buildings on the road to Net Zero Energy.

New Articles from The Guardian

• By Jacob Komar
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• March 10, 2015
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• Blog Post

The Guardian has started a fantastic new series of articles on Climate Change, here are links to a couple of great ones. The message is clear, we have absolutely no choice but to leave most of the fossil fuels in the ground.

Don't look away now, the climate crisis needs you

Climate fight won't wait for Paris, Vive La Resistance

Reaching Net Zero Using GSHPs - Lessons Learned

• By Jacob Komar
• |
• Jan 13, 2015
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• Blog Post

Building a Net Zero Commercial Building in Alberta was never going to be easy. The size and expertise of the team required to achieve it, and the amount of time sweating the little details cannot be understated. So what role did using Geothermal (or Ground Source) Heat Pumps have in achieving this lofty goal? Could we have achieved Net Zero using a different system? These are the questions we want to explore in this blog post, using lessons and data from the recently constructed Mosaic Centre.

This Changes Everything - By Naomi Klein

• By Jacob Komar
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• Jan 22, 2015
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• Books

This book is going to be pretty important to the climate movement. Highly recommend.

"Forget everything you think you know about global warming. The really inconvenient truth is that it’s not about carbon—it’s about capitalism. The convenient truth is that we can seize this existential crisis to transform our failed economic system and build something radically better."

Watch the trailer here.

Climate Change - Disruption

• By Jacob Komar
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• Jan 8, 2015
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• Movies

‘When it comes to climate change, why do we do so little when we know so much?’ Through a relentless investigation to find the answer, Disruption takes an unflinching look at the devastating consequences of our inaction. The exploration lays bare the terrifying science, the shattered political process, the unrelenting industry special interests and the civic stasis that have brought us to this social, moral and ecological crossroads.The film also takes us behind-the-scenes of the efforts to organize the largest climate rally in the history of the planet during the UN world climate summit. This is the story of our unique moment in history. We are living through an age of tipping points and rapid social and planetary change. We’re the first generation to feel the impacts of climate disruption, and the last generation that can do something about it. The film enlarges the issue beyond climate impacts and makes a compelling call for bold action that is strong enough to tip the balance to build a clean energy future.

Stay Alive by Jose Gonzalez

• By Jacob Komar
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• Jan 8, 2015
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• Music

A great song from a great movie!

HighSierra Low Flow Showerhead

• By Jacob Komar
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• Jan 12, 2014
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• Water

Simply put, I think this is the best low flow showerhead on the market. At max flow, it achieves 6 L/min (regular showerheads are 9 L/min), but with the optional valve it can be turned down even further (I highly recommend getting the valve). The best part is that unlike all other low flow showerheads I've tried, this has fantastic pressure. It feels like a regular flow showerhead, if not better! Honestly, I set my valve half closed because fully open it has too much pressure! (Which means that I'm now at 5 L/min). Yes, this is the one low flow showerhead that you won't remove after a week. They cost $45 with the valve, come in several different colours, and they ship to Canada! This is a great way to not only conserve water, but reduce your energy consumption.