A wind storm in November 2014 cut power to a home just up the street from my house. Power outages and other utility disruptions are becoming more and more common from a variety of causes. Source: CBC News.

When discussing disaster preparedness, people often associate the subject with the survivalist movement. Although some individuals take disaster preparedness to the extreme in anticipation of a zombie invasion or the next global pandemic, there are more realistic scenarios such as extreme weather events for which all home owners should be ready.
 
In 2013 my neighbourhood in Toronto lost power for over 48 hours twice in the space of six months. The first was in July after a freak rainstorm dropped more rain in two hours than anticipated in two months on the City. Transit was incapacitated, sewers overwhelmed and electrical substations submerged. After walking two hours to get home from the center of the City I was greeted by a fridge and freezer full of food that would spoil despite our best efforts and all-meat dinners. Although the air-conditioning was out, we were still able to stay in our home overnight but we were without hot water as our power-vented water heater could not run its fan.

Contributing writer and architect Eric Reinholdt provides insights into the value architects and designers add to projects in his article recently posted on Houzz. Reinholdt describes his insights and provides an "ideabook" full of photos to support his arguments. His eight insights are:

1. They tell a story.
2. They take risks.
3. They sweat the details.
4. They simplify.
5. They establish order.
6. They repeat, repeat, repeat.
7. They break the rules.
8. They engage the senses.

For his full article and rationale, follow the links.

When on site reviewing projects under construction we review to ensure that contractors conform to the requirements of the contract documents (a.k.a. drawings and specifications). Two of the most important items to review for proper installation are the air and vapour barriers. These two membranes work hand-in-hand with properly balanced heating and cooling systems and their continuity are critical for providing an air-tight home, reducing risk of mould, and decreasing energy consumption.

According to John Straube, principal of Building Science Corporation and professor at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, air leaks can be responsible for up to one third or more of the energy loss of a home.[1] Air leaks are caused by pressure differentials between the interior and exterior of the home. These differentials are caused by three factors: wind, fans and the stack effect. For example, when wind pushes on the house the leeward side becomes negatively pressurized, drawing warm, damp air from inside the home out through holes in the walls. When this warm, damp air is drawn through the exterior walls of the home, if it is colder outside than it is inside the water vapour in the air will condense inside the wall. Over time this can cause mould and rot. Similarly, the stack effect works on the principal that warm air rises. Like a large chimney, air and heat will escape through holes and cracks of the roof of a house based on the upward air movement. If not sealed properly, moisture can build up in attic and ceiling spaces.