Affordable Solar & Wind

Sustainability features in Canadian homes?

What features do many Canadian home have or are getting more popular?

Such as insulation, passive design, solar electricity, solar hot water, water tanks, energy efficient lighting, water saving taps and shower heads, roof ventilation and compost.

I have based the suggestion on what we do here in Queensland, Australia, so I may be way of the mark given the difference in climate- Nevertheless still interested to know

R20 in the walls/R40 in ceilings for basic insulation here (Ontario)..extra in custom built is the norm.
Everyone I know has water saving taps/fixtures (taps for sinks/tubs/showers/toilets). As older home fixtures require updates people are all changing to water saving everything. All roofs are vented so as there is no condensation problem (between the heat of the summer and the cold of the winter and the humidity of many places, venting is required). Recycling is normal here and collected the same day as garbage is here....some places have to take their recycle in though so it really depends on your country location. CFL lighting is being phased in and regular bulbs are being phased out so we will not have a choice once this is completed. Composting is popular in some places..not all. We recycle clothing/furnishings with second hand shops like other areas too. Here our hydro supplier is phasing in 'smart' meters (this is what they call them) to charge more for usage during prime times and less for off peak hours (to be set by them of course). Canadians pretty much are good about saving water/hydro...turning off taps/lights.
As for solar..this is a matter of opinion. To make a great difference to your power usage using solar/wind/geothermal (heating), then you need to have a lot of money and will not get it back in resale return...nor can you actually say it will pay for itself for many many years. To sell back any to hydro (I am talking about Ontario now because I do not know about other provinces) you have a lot of red tape to go through...then more hassles...more forms...red tape... more forms...you get the picture. They do not make it easy and will postpone as much as possible.

Greenplate Exlite Solar Light Pole Install

The Solar Day Lighting System $24.99 Stocktrek Images The Solar Day Lighting System - Photographic Print

Gladstone Queensland $39.99 Gladstone Queensland - Giclee Print

Townsville Queensland $39.99 Townsville Queensland - Giclee Print

Queensland Grouper $19.99 Stuart Westmorland Queensland Grouper - Photographic Print

Queensland Verandah $49.99 William Grant Queensland Verandah - Giclee Print

35 Solar Sentinel $140.94 35" Solar Sentinel The Solar Sentinel is a solar station, which is not only attractive but also adds value and function to your docking area. Each Solar Sentinel incorporates stylish, durable solar lighting on an attractive, broad-based, tapered pillar to illuminate docking areas. The Solar Sentinel also has the capability of acting as a Life Ring station. The optional Stainless Steel "J" hook can securely keep a Life Ring at the ready and under the convenient illumination of the Solar Sentinel by day or through the darkest hours of night. Includes solar light, tapered pillar and rechargable batteries. ** "J" hook NOT included**

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia $24.99 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia - Photographic Print

Australia - Queensland - Atoll $24.99 Australia - Queensland - Atoll - Photographic Print

Australia Queensland Rain Forest $344.99 Australia Queensland Rain Forest - Framed Giclee Print

Carrying Goods in the Queensland Ranges $39.99 Carrying Goods in the Queensland Ranges - Giclee Print

Cairns, Queensland, Australia, 1900s $24.99 Cairns, Queensland, Australia, 1900s - Photographic Print

Cairns, Queensland, Australia $19.99 Fraser Hall Cairns, Queensland, Australia - Photographic Print

Farm, Queensland, Australia $19.99 Oliver Strewe Farm, Queensland, Australia - Photographic Print

Mission School at Yarrabah, Queensland $39.99 Mission School at Yarrabah, Queensland - Giclee Print

Kookaburra, Queensland, Australia $19.99 Holger Leue Kookaburra, Queensland, Australia - Photographic Print

Solar $124.99 Solar - Laminated Oversized Art

Smart Solar Glass Mosaic Solar T-Light - Black Black $17.99 The obsidian black mirror mosaic glass of Smart Solar's Solar Glass T-Light creates a pleasing lighting effect on any surface. In the winter or periods of dull weather, enjoy this light by replacing solar light with a tea light or candle. This light is powered by an integral solar panel and rechargeable, rechargeable NiMH battery (included) and automatically illuminates during darkness. Smart Solar offers a broad range of solar products, in traditional, classic, and contemporary designs, utilizing natural materials such as terracotta, ceramic, copper, slate, stainless steel, and tin sourced from around the world.Smart Solar develops products powered by renewable energy for the home and garden. Solar powered products do not diminish our planet's precious energy resources yet they provide incalculable pleasure to people around the world.

Smart Solar Glass Mosaic Solar T-Light - Amber Amber $17.99 The pearlesque amber mosaic glass of Smart Solar's Solar Glass T-Light creates a pleasing lighting effect on any surface. In the winter or periods of dull weather, enjoy this light by replacing solar light with a tea light or candle. This light is powered by an integral solar panel and rechargeable, rechargeable NiMH battery (included) and automatically illuminates during darkness. Smart Solar offers a broad range of solar products, in traditional, classic, and contemporary designs, utilizing natural materials such as terracotta, ceramic, copper, slate, stainless steel, and tin sourced from around the world.Smart Solar develops products powered by renewable energy for the home and garden. Solar powered products do not diminish our planet's precious energy resources yet they provide incalculable pleasure to people around the world.

Smart Solar 3770WRM1 Glass Mosaic Solar TLight Obsidian Black Mirror $31.98 Smart Solar is a leading specialist in solar powered garden products providing high quality innovative solar powered items for the garden. We believe strongly in the environmental benefits of solar whereby all our solar products use renewable energy from the sun to generate power. Once purchased they require no operating costs and minimal maintenance. Best of all they are quick and easy to install and portable allowing for placement around the garden to suit your individual needs today and tomorrow. The mosaic glass of this tea light creates pleasing lighting effects on any surface. In the winter or periods of dull weather' enjoy these lights by replacing solar light with a tea light or candle. The light automatically illuminates during darkness. This light is powered by a integral solar panel and rechargeable' rechargeable NiMH battery. The energy saving white LED lights up to 8 hours each night when fully charged.

Smart Solar 3772WRM1 Glass Mosaic Solar TLight Pearlesque Amber $31.98 Smart Solar is a leading specialist in solar powered garden products providing high quality innovative solar powered items for the garden. We believe strongly in the environmental benefits of solar whereby all our solar products use renewable energy from the sun to generate power. Once purchased they require no operating costs and minimal maintenance. Best of all they are quick and easy to install and portable allowing for placement around the garden to suit your individual needs today and tomorrow. The mosaic glass of this tea light creates pleasing lighting effects on any surface. In the winter or periods of dull weather' enjoy these lights by replacing solar light with a tea light or candle. The light automatically illuminates during darkness. This light is powered by a integral solar panel and rechargeable' rechargeable NiMH battery. The energy saving white LED lights up to 8 hours each night when fully charged.

Smart Solar 3782WRM2 Umbrella Hanging Solar Lantern 2pack $25.48 Smart Solar is a leading specialist in solar powered garden products providing high quality innovative solar powered items for the garden. We believe strongly in the environmental benefits of solar whereby all our solar products use renewable energy from the sun to generate power. Once purchased they require no operating costs and minimal maintenance. Best of all they are quick and easy to install and portable allowing for placement around the garden to suit your individual needs today and tomorrow. These decorative solar lanterns make eye catching accent pieces for any outdoor deck or patio area. Powered by a discreet integral solar panel' they charge by day and automatically illuminate for up to 8 hours at night. Open bottom lanterns are ideal for clipping to umbrella. White energy saving LED provides ambient lighting around the table. Black finish' rechargeable NiMh AA battery included.