10 Tips for Grilling in Winter

10 Tips for Grilling in Winter

by | Nov 30, 2020 | Consumer News, Grilling & Outdoor Living, HPBAC Blog

Temps are falling, days are getting shorter, and there’s every indication that this season we will be staying in and cooking at home more than any winter before.

Here’s one way to get by: don’t put that grill or smoker away. Instead, embrace backyard cooking through the fall and all winter long.

 

The following are 10 tips to make the most of grilling in the coming months:

  1. Don’t peek! Heat escapes quickly and you’ll be adding on cooking time. Limit lifting the lid except for turning and flipping foods.
  2. Plan on adding 25% more cooking time to compensate for cold temperatures. Use a reliable food thermometer to check.
  3. Consider adding a propane heater to your patio this year. Of course, these heaters can make barbecuing and entertaining in winter much more comfortable.
  4. Make shorter trips outside by moving your barbecue grill a little closer to the house, but make sure you still keep it at least 10 feet from any buildings or structures. Never grill in enclosed spaces, such as a garage or under an overhang, that can trap deadly carbon monoxide.
  5. Position gas grills so the wind is perpendicular to the gas flow, and not blowing the flame down the burner tubes. A sturdy patio umbrella set on its side can also serve as a wind block. When lighting the grill, do not turn the handwheel on the propane tank all the way on. Instead, use a single turn before lighting.
  6. Check that everything is in working order before using your grill. Don’t force a frozen knob or grill lid – you’ll risk cracking it or breaking the seal. Instead, move your grill to a garage where it can thaw or use a hairdryer.
  7. You’ll want to dress warmly, but avoid hazardous bulky clothing and tuck in loose scarves. A pair of easily-removable boots or shoes is a good idea when making trips in and out of the house. You’ll find heat-resistant gloves with plenty of dexterity are worth the investment.
  8. The days are shorter in the winter, and you’ll likely be grilling in the dark. While your favorite flashlight works, it can be hard to juggle with your grill tools. Clip-on or magnetic grill lamps are a handy upgrade for monitoring your cooking.
  9. Consider a wireless remote or instant read thermometer your new best friend. A leave-in remote thermometer allows you to monitor cooking temperature while you stay warm inside, and an instant read thermometer will minimize your time in the cold.
  10. When not in use (and only when completely cooled), protect your grill from the elements with a snug cover.

 

If you’re not planning to grill over the winter, it’s important to protect your grill from the harsh winter elements. Learn more here: hpbacanada.org/winterizing-your-barbecue.

Breakdown of Ontario Lockdown Restrictions – November 24th, 2020

Breakdown of Ontario Lockdown Restrictions – November 24th, 2020

by | Nov 24, 2020 | HPBAC Blog

Ontario is currently operating on a COVID-19 Response Framework, which dictates what restrictions and protocols must be in place, depending on the level of public health measures imposed on a given region.
[content_control]

HPBA Canada contacted the Government of Ontario to determine how restrictions in the “Lockdown” level relate to specialty retailers such as those in the hearth and barbecue product lines. (As of today, Toronto and Peel Region are in the Lockdown level.

Retail

Retail permitted to be open for curbside pick-up or delivery only (in-person retail shopping not permitted)

Exceptions where in-person shopping is permitted: Schedule 2 of O. Reg. 654/20: RULES FOR AREAS IN STAGE 1, which dictates which businesses may remain open, includes, but is not limited to, the following which most closely relate to our industry:

The following businesses that engage in retail sales to the public:
1. Supermarkets and grocery stores.
2. Convenience stores.
3. Discount and big box retailers selling groceries.
4. Hardware stores.
5. Safety supply stores.
6. Pharmacies.
7. Stores, other than stores described in section 3, that sell liquor, including beer, wine and spirits.

Unfortunately, officials at the province will not provide a definitive “yes or no” answer about a specific business in relation to in-person shopping, beyond pointing to the language in this regulation.

Installation / Service

Businesses that may remain open:

43. Construction activities or projects and related services that support construction activities or projects, including demolition services.
46. Electricity generation, transmission, distribution and storage and natural gas distribution, transmission and storage.

Officials with the province indicated that they believe installations would be permitted by line 43 of Schedule 2.

Ultimately, it must be the choice of an individual business to determine if they feel their business appropriately qualifies as one of the businesses permitted to remain open according to the language in the regulation.

The only definitive arbitration of this decision would take place if a provincial inspector or municipal bylaw officer were to visit the businesses, and inquire on what grounds the business is continuing operation. At this point, the decision would be with the inspector as to if the operation is appropriate, or if they wish to impose any of the penalties laid out in the Reopening Ontario Act, which are as follows:

Offences

10 (1) Every person who fails to comply with subsection 9.1 (2) or (3) or with a continued section 7.0.2 order or who interferes with or obstructs any person in the exercise of a power or the performance of a duty conferred by such an order is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction,
(a) in the case of an individual, subject to clause (b), to a fine of not more than $100,000 and for a term of imprisonment of not more than one year;
(b) in the case of an individual who is a director or officer of a corporation, to a fine of not more than $500,000 and for a term of imprisonment of not more than one year; and
(c) in the case of a corporation, to a fine of not more than $10,000,000. 2020, c. 17, s. 10 (1); 2020, c. 23, Sched. 6, s. 3.

To discuss any of these matters, feel free to contact:

Adam De Caire

Director, Public Affairs
HPBA Canada
(647) 998-4235
adam@hpbacanada.org
[/content_control]

Review of Fall 2020 Provincial Elections (BC, SK, NB)

Review of Fall 2020 Provincial Elections (BC, SK, NB)

by | Nov 17, 2020 | HPBAC Blog, Member News

The fall of 2020 saw voters in three Canadian provinces head to the polls as part of provincial general elections. This article looks at the election results in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick, and policy implications those results may have.

[content_control]

British Columbia

Election Date: October 24th, 2020

Governing Party Prior To The Election:  B.C. New Democratic Party (Minority)

Governing Party Following The Election:  B.C. New Democratic Party (Majority)

New Seat Breakdown:

Government: British Columbia New Democratic Party (57)
Opposition: British Columbia Liberal Party (28)
Third party: British Columbia Green Party (2)

Having governed for three-and-a-half years as part of a coalition government with the B.C. Green Party, Premier John Horgan drew criticism for his decisions to call a snap election on September 21st. Thankfully for he and his party however, the voters of B.C. did not hold the election call against the party, returning the B.C. NDP back to the legislature, this time with a strong majority mandate. This is the second government in as many months to head to the polls early and convert a minority mandate into a majority one, just as New Brunswick Premier Plaine Higgs did in September.

The years ahead will see the B.C. NDP Government pursue the commitments made in their 2020 Campaign Platform “Working For You”. Elements of the platform that may be of interest to industry members include:

  • Commit BC to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050: CleanBC currently sets a target of reducing emissions by 40 percent by 2030. To complete the task, we will pass legislation requiring BC to reach net-zero by 2050 – meaning there are either no harmful carbon emissions or they are offset by natural carbon sinks, carbon capture or other technologies.
  • Require greener buildings: We are already requiring new buildings and retrofits to be more energy efficient and cleaner – every new building constructed in BC must be net-zero ready by 2032. We will take the next step by empowering local governments to set their own carbon pollution performance standards for new buildings. And we will require realtors to provide energy efficiency information on listed homes to incent energy-saving upgrades and let purchasers know what energy bills they will face.
  • Accelerate energy efficiency retrofits beginning now: We will spur more energy-efficiency upgrades with programs and incentives for both residential and commercial buildings – including PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) financing that allows homeowners to take out loans for efficiency upgrades and pay them back over time through annual property taxes.

Want to know more about your local Member of the Legislative Assembly? CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT.

Saskatchewan

Election Date: October 26th, 2020

Governing Party Prior To The Election:  Saskatchewan Party (Majority)

Governing Party Following The Election:  Saskatchewan Party (Majority)

New Seat Breakdown:

Government: Saskatchewan Party (48)
Official Opposition: New Democratic Party (13)

Of the three provincial elections held this fall, Saskatchewan’s was the only one which was the result of a fixed election date. The election resulted in very little change in the make-up of the legislature, with Saskatchewan Party Leader and Premier Scott Moe returning with a strong majority mandate.

The party campaigned on their platform “Our Plan For A Strong Saskatchewan,” which includes the following items of interest to industry”

  • Reducing Taxes on Small Businesses: A re-elected Saskatchewan Party government will introduce a three-year reduction to the small business tax rate, as part of the Saskatchewan Party’ plan to support Saskatchewan’s economic recovery from COVID-19. This will help support Saskatchewan small businesses sustain operations, retain and hire new employees, and grow their businesses.
  • The Saskatchewan Party government unveiled “Prairie Resilience,” our made in Saskatchewan Climate Change Strategy, which will reduce emissions in a meaningful way. These commitments will reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 12 million tonnes by 2030.
  • A re-elected Saskatchewan Party government will introduce a new Saskatchewan Home Renovation Tax Credit to make the cost of home renovations more affordable. The Saskatchewan Home Renovation Tax Credit will allow Saskatchewan homeowners to claim a non-refundable 10.5% provincial tax credit on eligible
    home renovation expenses undertaken on their primary residence between October 1st 2020 and December 31st, 2022.

Want to know more about you local Member of the Legislative Assembly? CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT.

New Brunswick

Election Date: September 14th, 2020

Governing Party Prior To The Election:  Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick (Minority)

Governing Party Following The Election:  Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick (Majority)

New Seat Breakdown:

Government: Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick (27)
Opposition: New Brunswick Liberal Party (17)
Third Party: Green Party of New Brunswick (3)
Fourth Party: People’s Alliance of New Brunswick (2)

As with British Columbia, the snap election call worked out favourably for Premier Blaine Higgs and the Progressive Conservative party, Mr. Higgs. the first Premier since 2003 to win a second term. The conservatives hold a modest majority in the Legislature with 27 seats.

“Up To The Job: Recover, Reinvent, Renew,” saw the party make the following commitments of note:

  • Helping businesses compete in a digital economy will be absolutely key to the province’s long-term success when international trade missions are no longer occurring and travel is restricted. Under our leadership, Opportunities New Brunswick will be working with our businesses across the province to support their transition to a digital economy so sales and exports can continue. They will support businesses in learning how to sell online, use enhanced marketing and e-commerce strategies, and promote our province’s brand through social media.
  • Productivity must improve to help New Brunswick businesses close the gap. Opportunities New Brunswick is designing programs to offer assessments and help our businesses close the productivity gap – especially our manufacturers who are struggling to scale their operations. This could mean embracing robotics, artificial intelligence, and just using existing technologies more effectively to increase outputs and improve overall competitiveness so they can weather this storm and come out the other end stronger.
  • Importantly, our government will ensure that energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from new constructions will be at least 25 percent lower than National Building Code requirements.

Want to know more about you local Member of the Legislative Assembly? CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT.

HPBA Canada will follow the progress on the commitments made throughout these campaigns, and continue to provide updates to members.

To discuss any of these matters, feel free to contact:

Adam De Caire

Director, Public Affairs
HPBA Canada
(647) 998-4235
adam@hpbacanada.org
[/content_control]

Working from the Warmth of Home

Working from the Warmth of Home

by | Sep 30, 2020 | Consumer News, Heating Your Home, HPBAC Blog, Member News

Picture this: It’s mid afternoon on a cool October weekday, and you are about to log on to your fourth virtual meeting of the day. Most of the other callers will be in front of a bland background. Maybe a wall, or a bookshelf if they decide to get fancy. There may be one or two people on the call who are both adventurous and tech-savvy enough to use a virtual background: a sandy beach, their favourite golf course, or a luxurious office space that doesn’t really exist. And then there is you. You’re poised with the comfort and ambiance of a real fireplace just over your shoulder. Congratulations. You have won the meeting, and it hasn’t even started yet!

With the COVID-19 pandemic transforming how and where Canadians work, it’s no surprise that sales of home improvement and outdoor entertainment goods have been strong this summer.

“You’re looking at about $3.5 billion in sales in the month of June — that’s the latest figure from StatsCan. Not only higher than it was in May but it’s actually higher than it was in June last year — so you’ve actually seen growth over the comparable month pre-COVID,” said Karl Littler, Senior Vice-President of Public Affairs for the Retail Council of Canada.

Whether investing to take your home office to the next level, up the cozy-level in a bedroom, or adding new style and animation to a living space that may be seeing more living than usual for the foreseeable future, a fireplace adds warmth, elegance, and comfort to your home like nothing else.

If you haven’t explored what is available in the fireplace market recently, you will be pleasantly surprised at the flexibility of styles, sizes and fuel types now available, which provide nearly infinite options for location, design, and functionality within a home:

Fuel Options

  • Natural Gas remains a great option for beauty, warmth and convenience
  • Of course, some will opt for the traditional authenticity and comfort of a woodburning appliance
  • Ethanol or Alcohol Gel models offer the beauty of real flame with no smoke or smell, do not require any chimney or venting, and as a result can be installed virtually anywhere.
  • Electric fireplaces offer an alternative to real flame, which will appeal to some for safety, convenience, or design purposes

Heating vs. Decorative

You may also be surprised to know that not all fireplaces are designed to heat the space around them. Ethanol and alcohol gel models generally produce little heat, and Natural Gas, Electric, and even woodburning appliances can also be configured with little heat output for those seeking the aesthetic benefits of the appliance over heating functionality.

Design

To discuss trends and design options, HPBA Canada spoke with Adriana Mot, Principal of Toronto-based Dochia Interior Design since 2000. Both an architect and interior designer by training, Adriana has a unique perspective on the fireplace as a key design feature: “A fireplace can be a mix of art and architecture, and a feature element in any space”.

Adriana has identified the trends she has experienced with her most recent hearth projects:

  • Open flame, when safely available, is very much in, both indoors and outdoors. Outdoors, the feature can be a place to gather together. Indoors, it’s just something cool.
  • Simple and sleek linear fireplaces always remain popular.
  • Two sided fireplaces are popular, and can positively change the relationship between two rooms, such as tying a working space into a more family oriented space.
  • Three sided fireplaces are an elegant way to divide an otherwise open space.
  • Many clients are looking for ambiance and visual presence over heat production.

On the topic of working from home, Adriana notes “the office or work space is traditionally somewhere private and quiet, so adding the animation of a fireplace to the space where you will be working can make it feel less isolated and more comfortable while maintaining the necessary privacy.

Adriana has worked with beautiful appliances from a number of HPBA Canada member companies, referencing Canadian companies Montigo and Napoleon, as part of her more recent work, and has regular contact with many of the industry’s manufacturers to keep abreast of the latest developments in innovation and design.

Adriana Mot, Principal
Dochia Interior Design

If you are considering home updates in the near future, consider the beauty and animation of a feature fireplace.

Let’s Talk Wood Preparation & Storage

Let’s Talk Wood Preparation & Storage

by | Nov 28, 2019 | Heating Your Home, HPBAC Blog

Did you know burning green wood can severely damage your woodburning stove and cause residue build-up in your chimney? Green wood (or freshly cut wood) releases a lot of creosote (tar). It will burn, but it won’t burn well, and if done regularly can cause a chimney fire or worse. Green wood is safe for outdoor use, but seasoned wood is best for the most efficient and clean burn indoors.

Seasoning is the process of allowing wood to dry over a period of time (usually six months) depending on climate, and type and age of the tree. Although some wood may require less time, six months is considered a reasonable amount of time for the moisture content to drop from 50 per cent to 20 per cent or less.

Once you have selected the correct seasoned wood for maximum woodburning efficiency, consider which species of wood is best for heating your home. Hardwoods (maple, walnut, oak) were traditionally the preferred burn choice because leaky cast iron stoves wouldn’t maintain a fire made of softwoods (cedar, red pine, fir) overnight. However, with the latest advancements in technology, woodburning appliances all function well with a wider variety of wood species, due to their better control over the combustion process. In modern stoves, both soft and hardwoods make excellent fuel for spring and fall use, but it’s still best to save your hardwoods for the coldest part of winter. Also, consider burning fruit trees, such as apple or cherry, as they produce a pleasing aroma, and do well heating your home too.

Want to save time and energy? Buying pre-cut wood is a great way to go, but it is important to know what you are getting. Check with the seller to see what types of wood are included and be clear on how much wood you will receive. Don’t forget to determine the appropriate log dimensions so they fit inside your stove. It is good practice to visit the woodlot and inspect the wood before purchasing.

The official measurement of firewood is a “cord”. A “full cord” is four feet tall by four feet deep by eight feet long. Depending on the log size (commonly sixteen to eighteen inches), a “face cord” may only offer a third the firewood as a full cord, and should be priced accordingly. Firewood is also sometimes sold by the amount that fits in a truck bed; this can make the amount of wood difficult to gauge and can conceal a higher price per cord measure.

The amount of wood you need depends on climate, length of seasons, size of your home, and whether or not your appliance is the primary heating source. In theory, a cord of wood could last you four months in a smaller home with conservative use and moderate winter temperatures. However, it is better to err on the side of caution and overestimate the amount of firewood needed, so you aren’t left out in the cold. Always source a couple of woodlots to keep your options open. A cord most likely will only last you two months.

Once your wood has been delivered, or you’ve just finished splitting your own wood (the most inexpensive firewood source), it now needs to be stacked and stored properly.

Stack wood near the entrance to your home, but not against the wall, as this prevents insect and critter problems. Construct an open shed or use a tarp to shield wood from rain and elements. Keep your wood raised three to four inches off of a solid base or the ground to prevent the bottom rows from rotting. Pallet boards work very well for this purpose. Whatever you use, keep in mind there needs to be room for good air circulation all around the stack to aid in seasoning, and protection from the elements year-round. If you split your own wood, the storage area should ideally be sized to hold a three-year supply, to allow for proper seasoning and rotation.

Thank you to woodheat.org for the above information. woodheat.org is a great source for information on heating your home with wood.

Top Reasons to Install or Upgrade a Fireplace

Top Reasons to Install or Upgrade a Fireplace

by | Nov 28, 2019 | Heating Your Home, HPBAC Blog

When it comes to adding ambiance, there is nothing better than a fireplace. Whether woodburning, gas or electric, a hearth appliance not only increases your home’s value but can lower your monthly heating costs, all while creating a comfortable, happy space for friends and family.

Increased Home Value

According to real estate professionals, one of the most desirable features for homebuyers is a fireplace, and having one could add 6–12% to your listing price. A recently updated fireplace can add value to your home when you’re ready to sell, especially if it’s a high efficiency appliance.

Affordability

It may come as a surprise, but a hearth appliance can provide an efficient space heating option that won’t break the bank. The cost of upgrading a fireplace varies but can be quite an affordable option when considering improvements to your home. It can also help you save money on heating costs by allowing you to heat the spaces where you and your family spend time together.

Aesthetics

No one can dispute the allure of a fireplace and the calming effect it can have, making your home an escape from your hectic life. A simple facelift and upgrade can dramatically update the look and efficiency of your existing fireplace.

Family Time

With the popularity of mobile devices it isn’t surprising our national average screen time is staggering and steadily climbing. The result is less quality time together. Creating a comfortable and calming family room centered around a hearth will mean more quality time with those you love.

If you think it is time to replace your hearth, visit a specialty hearth retailer to see what suits your style and budget, or check out manufacturer and local retailer websites.