TechNotes – HVAC & Electrical

The city of Toronto has announced new funds for energy efficiency measures in buildings, and for renewable energy projects. The Toronto Energy Conservation Fund and the Toronto Green Energy Fund will provide funds at zero interest to a maximum of $1 million for each project. The loan cannot exceed 49% of the total eligible costs of the project. The maximum repayment term is 20 years.

Natural Resources Canada’s CANMET Energy Technology Centre has been renamed to the shorter “CanmetENERGY.” the organization has research centres in Varennes, Quebec; Devon, Alberta; and in Ottawa.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) is moving forward in collaboration with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) to develop proposed Standard 189.1, Standard for the Design of High Performance Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings. A new committee is being appointed for developing the standard (the last one was disbanded), and ASHRAE is calling for members to apply before December 4. See www.ashrae.org/publicreviews.

The National Fire Protection Association has released the 2009 edition of the carbon monoxide (CO) Code, NFPA 720. The code completely rewrites the carbon monoxide detection standard and covers commercial occupancies as well as residences. It calls, for example, for placement of CO detectors at every habitable level and in every HVAC zone of a building. System Sensor has articles explaining the new requirements by request to e-mail systemsensor@interlinegroup.com