Sustainability Profile: Canada Whole Home Fans

1. What is your company's brand promise, vision or statement of values, and how does it relate to sustainability?
Canada Whole Home Fans offer an energy efficient home cooling system at a fraction of the cost of central air conditioning. We are committed to providing a cool and comfortable living environment that harnesses the cool air Mother Nature has to offer.
2. How are your products or services environmentally and socially sustainable?
Canada Whole Home Fans are an environmentally friendly home cooling system that uses 90% less energy than central air conditioning. By running the fan only when outside temperatures are lower than inside temperatures, cool air is drawn into the house through open windows and hot attic air is forced out by the fan through the existing roof ventilation. As daytime temperatures rise, turn off the fan and allow the cool room materials to keep the interior more comfortable. Canada Whole Home Fans include doors to seal in warm air and increase energy efficiency during the winter months when the fan is not in use.
3. How does your company give preference to suppliers who create positive social and environmental benefits either through their products and services or through their community partnerships?
• What products are made of – fans are made of steel
• How they are produced – fans are produced in Canada in a plant in Brampton, Ontario
• How they are transported – fans are transported by truck then train, then truck from the plant in Brampton, Ontario. We receive our units in bulk to reduce the overall impact of individual shipments. We ship the units to our customers using the same materials to reduce waste.
• How they will be disposed of – Under normal use in Canada, the fan will last 25 years without maintenance. We choose to distribute AirScape fans because each of their components is modular which means if something breaks on the fan, you don’t just replace the whole unit (unlike today’s phones, TVs and Microwaves). Each of the wearable components (ie., doors, actuators, computer box, fans) are individually replaceable.
4. How does your business minimize the environmental impact of its operations?
Canada Whole Home Fans is a home-based start up. The following bullets refer to environmental practices we employ in our home and home office.
• Waste reduction – Our AirScape fans are recyclable and we are investigating the possibility of a takeback program to dispose of the product at the end of its useful life. Unlike most Calgary residents, we mulch our lawn clippings to reduce yard waste.
• Recycling – We recycle everything possible and make weekly trips to our local recycling depot and periodic trips to the bottle depot.
• Energy efficiency – We use our whole home fan to keep our home office cool without the need for central air conditioning. We keep our thermostats on a programmed time schedule. We also run our dishwasher on a not heated drying cycle.
• Paper products and administrative supplies - We always print on both sides of the paper and use products with post consumer recycled content wherever possible.
• Hazardous materials and cleaning products – We have recently discovered the microfiber cleaning cloths, which allow us to clean with no chemicals needed.
• Transportation and staff commuting – As a home-based business our employees do not need to travel to work.
5. How does your business demonstrate ethical business conduct?
We use a third party accounting firm, Jay Cardell Incorp.
6. What strategic community partnerships does your company have in place?
We are a proud member of REAP Business Association.
7. What policy or guidelines exist to support charitable contributions?
Canada Whole Home Fans donates 3% of its profits annually to the Calgary Dream Center.
8. How many people do you employ locally?
4 (all owners)
9. In what ways does your business demonstrate its commitment to employee health and safety?
Not yet applicable.
10. In what ways does your business demonstrate its commitment to employee development and job satisfaction?
Not yet applicable.
11. How does your business support employees to lead balanced lives and be active participants in their communities?
Canada Whole Home Fans is a home-based, family run business. As concerned citizens and owners of a responsible business, we balance the growth of our company with family and community commitments. Frankly, that is why I have a partner. I would rather make less money, but have a balanced life.