The SOLACE Energy Story

Our Mission, Achievements and Potential

In 1977, an architect , an engineer , and a medical doctor founded SOLACE Energy Centre and created an HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) company that remains unique within our industry.

The concept of the whole house as a system was developed. The importance of design and appearance, building and mechanical sciences, and the quality of life, environment and health, became the guiding principles when creating heating/ventilation/air-conditioning systems.

• The architectural perspective provided a particular sensitivity to issues such as design, site orientation, solar contribution, overhangs, and wind screening.

• The impact on engineering brought an emphasis on building science, and issues of conducted heat loss, air leakage, sensible heat gains, heat recovery ventilation as well as the performance of mechanical design, air flow, noise transfer, noise attenuation and other performance concerns.

• The medical influence led to a focus on health concerns such as sick building syndrome, particulates, off-gassing from building products, dust removal, humidity control, mold and mildew, fresh air, and vapour diffusion.

Doug Rempel became a principal of SOLACE in 1979, and has continued and expanded this whole house as a system approach. Under Doug's guidance, SOLACE has become the acknowledged leader in British Columbia in technical ability, knowledge and quality. These are the cornerstones of SOLACE and are reflected in our mission statement:

• To assist people in making their homes more comfortable, healthy, and energy efficient,

• To provide superior products that incorporate appropriate technology,

• To educate, train and facilitate our staff to develop to their full potential

• To be guided by principles of good stewardship, concern of the environment, and respect for each other .

SOLACE has been has been an active member in the Greater Vancouver Home Builder's Association (1982) as well as the Canadian Home Builder's Association. SOLACE has held membership in the Gas Fireplace Association, HRAI and currently HVCI of BC. The CHBA was the vehicle for Energy, Mines and Resources delivering the R2000 program to BC and SOLACE was one the first to support this program. Doug incorporated R2000 technology in his own home and held open houses (announced on the front page of the Vancouver Sun – over 1000 attended) to help educate home- builders and the public.

Doug sat on the CHBA Technical Advisory Council and for years helped to put on the monthly seminars for builders and general public. Courses were given from the National Research Council of Canada. Together with this involvement, SOLACE had a direct impact on the BC and Canadian building codes. Doug also taught, “What's New in Home Building” for the Fraser Valley Real-Estate Board seminar.

In 1994 staff from SOLACE and BC Gas together with the industry established the Quality First program designed to give installers and contractors the basics of block heat load calculations and ductwork design. Our staff was already trained in this area and it was our staff that taught the initial Quality First courses to the heating contractors and inspectors of BC.

We contribute our expertise to BCIT, to the HVAC text and training programs that they teach and have assisted BC Gas with its Blue Flame program.

Other staff training and up-grade programs include:

•  International Ground Source Heat Pump Geothermal Piping Design

•  HRV Systems Installer Course

•  HRV Systems Theory and Practice Course

•  HRAI training for R2000 registration

•  VCBC – Ventilation Code BC Certificate training

•  Electrical endorsements for all gas fitters

•  R-2000 SEEH Builder Course

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