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> This Just In: Government of Ontario Releases New Submetering Regulations
The Government of Ontario has just released the following energy conservation regulations through its Energy Conservation Responsibility Act. They include these highlights:
- All condominiums in Ontario must have individual submeters installed by the end of 2010.
- Condo boards no longer need an 80 per cent approval vote from condo owners to install a submetering system.
For an overview of the Energy Conservation Responsibility Act, visit the Ministry of Energy's website, or contact the experts at Triacta.
> Indoor Air Pollution — An Invisible Danger in Condos
When you get right down to it, we all want the same thing from our homes - a healthy, safe place to live. In a condominium, it often falls to the condo board to deliver on the promise of health and safety. Security guards are hired to protect from intruders, and maintenance staff repair damages to the property. But what does a condo board do about an invisible danger like indoor air pollution?
Studies show that indoor air pollution levels can be two to five times higher than those found outside, and that most people spend 90 per cent of their time indoors. In fact, experts recognize indoor air pollution as a serious contributor to respiratory disease, including lung cancer.
Today's houses, condos and office buildings are built to be energy efficient. In order to avoid heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer, they hold air inside. This type of tight construction doesn't allow the building to breathe, and affects air quality. During fall and winter months, when the windows are tightly shut and less fresh air can circulate, the risk is even greater.
How can you tell there's a problem?
Just because a condo is clean and orderly doesn't mean there isn't a problem with air quality. Most indoor air pollutants are hard to detect because they are invisible to the naked eye and odorless. But if condo owners start complaining about the following symptoms, you may want to have a thorough air quality test performed:
- Frequent headaches
- Eye and ear infections
- Frequent sinus infections or congestion
- Rashes or skin irritations
- The feeling of not getting enough air or excessive coughing
- Asthma, respiratory infections, or breathing difficulties
- Uneasiness, confusion or dizziness
What are the top indoor air pollutants in condos, and what can you do about them? Read more online >
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