Efficiency in Ontario homes recognized (February 01, 2007)

MARKHAM, Ont. – The EnerQuality Awards of Excellence, held in conjunction with the Ontario Building & Renovation Forum in Markham, were presented Jan. 12 to the most energy efficient homebuilders and building professionals in Ontario’s new home construction industry.

EnerQuality, a partnership between the Ontario Home Builders’ Association and the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance, manages three energy efficiency initiatives in Ontario targeting new housing: Energy Star, R-2000 and EnerGuide. There are 354 participating homebuilders and the initiatives have the support of government and private sector partners, including Natural Resources Canada and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. In 2006, there were 1,616 new energy efficient homes completed, which represents a 255 per cent growth compared to 2005.

Reid’s Heritage Homes won the technical excellence award for its innovative building practices and products which improve overall home performance and efficiency. Innovations include non-conventional heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), rain water harvesting and water heating systems such as solar and geothermal heat pumps.

The Mattamy Corporation, Canada’s largest Energy Star builder, won the best marketing program award for its consistent advertising program, which focuses on Energy Star for new homes. Andrew Bowerbank, of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, was named leader of the year for facilitating Ontario’s largest Energy Star community, the City of Vaughan’s Block 39 Sustainable Community Initiative. The community will have 1,300 Energy Star qualified homes in addition to energy efficient schools, community centres and retail spaces. A leader of the year award also went to Sean Mason of Mason Homes for building and promoting energy efficiency in new home construction and for building Canada’s first LEED H home in Toronto.

The Energy Star for new homes builder of the year award went to the Daniels Corporation for developing 175 Energy Star qualified homes in 2006. Empire Communities won EnerGuide for new houses builder of the year for labelling 141 homes with the EnerGuide rating, more than any other Canadian builder in 2006. Starward Homes (Meadowland) Limited was named the R-2000 builder of the year for certifying 13 homes as R-2000 in 2006.

“The changes to the Ontario building code in 2006 will require all new homes started in December 2011 to be built to EnerGuide 80. Builders already constructing homes at this level have established a headstart and will easily adapt,” said Corey McBurney, managing director of EnerQuality.

For more information www.esnewhomes.ca.