By Brian Buzdegan
With our northern climate and increasing energy costs for heating, we need to look to change our ideas on building design.
Not everyone is going to rush out and build a new home, of course, but with a sustainable building expert, an existing home can be modified and upgraded to a higher standard. Each year, various grant programs become available to the homeowner to help offset costs, and help at tax time.
Also of interest is the growing need of the local seniors who are still living in their own homes and want to continue to stay in them.
Modifications and aids help to make this possible with simple changes, such as extra handrails on stairs, or stair lifts. Changes in bathrooms will make them safer and provide easier access and use.
This is also part of the sustainability movement, and with continuing changes to the real estate market, selling and moving because of mobility issues, or high costs of heating, are not always the answer. Sustainable building is looking at the life-time of the home, and not taking away from our children's future.
For more information, call 250-791-5209.