TORONTO – September 30/09…Ontario’s new home landscape is getting greener thanks to EnerQuality Corp.’s GreenHouse™ Certified Construction.
This initiative was recently named “Product of the Year – Non-Builder/09” by the Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA). This Prestige Award honours innovation and excellence in design, sales and marketing.
In addition, Durham Custom Homes of Oshawa, the first Ontario home builder to implement GreenHouse Certified Construction at its Kingsway Forest community, was named Green Builder of the Year.
GreenHouse Certified Construction is a new green home labeling initiative that builds on the phenomenal success of the ENERGY STAR® for New Homes program launched in Ontario by EnerQuality in 2005. The ENERGY STAR for New Homes initiative has been widely embraced across the industry with 11 per cent of eligible new housing starts labeled in Ontario in 2008.
Aimed at delivering homes that go beyond ENERGY STAR for New Homes specifications and truly outperform, GreenHouse Certified Construction guidelines address four major aspects of green: energy efficiency, resource management, indoor air quality and water conservation. Buyers of homes certified through GreenHouse can expect to use about 25 per cent less energy, 25 per cent less water, and enjoy improved indoor air quality over code-built homes. In addition to cost savings, this certification results in fewer materials required to build the home and approximately a three-tonne reduction in the home’s greenhouse gas production.
“We are proud of this recognition by our peers,” said Corey McBurney, EnerQuality Corp. President. “ENERGY STAR for New Homes is now mainstream, and GreenHouse Certified Construction takes this environmental initiative a step further. We invite quality-focused builders to go above-and-beyond current Ontario Building Code to reach new heights in energy conservation and cost savings for owners, and we encourage new home shoppers to look for GreenHouse Certified Construction as an important part of their purchase decision.”
EnerQuality Corp. is a partnership between the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance and the OHBA, and was formed with the goal of making Ontario’s new housing into the most energy-efficient and sustainable in the world.
For more information, visit www.greenhousecertified.ca.
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ABOUT ENERQUALITY
EnerQuality Corporation (www.enerquality.ca) is committed to helping builders build more energy efficient and sustainable homes. Founded in 1998 and supported by their A-list of partners, EnerQuality is a Service Organization licensed to deliver NRCan’s ENERGY STAR® for New Homes, and R-2000, EnerGuide Rating System initiatives, as well as LEED Canada for Homes and EnerQuality’s new GreenHouse™ Certified Construction initiative. EnerQuality promotes energy efficient and sustainable building practices through three main initiatives: 1) CERTIFICATION: Their labeling program provides the quality assurance that makes it easy to find an energy efficient home; 2) TRAINING: They train builders, trades and professionals in the products and practices of energy efficient housing; 3) CONSULTING: They work with builders to help them embrace energy efficient building practices. EnerQuality is committed to being the driving force behind efforts to improve the way new homes are built for home buyers.
CONTACT:
David Eisenstadt / Gea Koleva Julia Kierens
The Communications Group Inc. EnerQuality Corp.
(416) 696-9900 ext 36 or 26 (416)447-0077 ext 5
deisenstadt@tcgpr.com / gkoleva@tcgpr.com juliak@enerquality.ca
The ENERGY STAR® for New Homes mark is administered and promoted in Canada by Natural Resources Canada. R-2000 and EnerGuide are official marks of Natural Resources Canada. Used with permission.
