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Homebuilders in Halton and Hamilton win Awards of Excellence - Environmental Communication Options/Huff Strategy

Homebuilders in Halton and Hamilton win Awards of Excellence

Jan 12th, 2007 8:09 AM

PHOTOS AVAILABLE Homebuilders in Halton and Hamilton win Awards of Excellence during record year for energy efficient homes (Markham, Ontario, January 12, 2007) During a year when Ontario saw a 255% jump in new, energy efficient homes, homebuilders in Halton and Hamilton can claim title as industry leaders. Today, at the Ontario Building & Renovation Forum in Markham, EnerQuality Corporation gave Awards of Excellence to 3 homebuilders in Halton and Hamilton: Starward Homes received the R-2000 Builder of the Year Award (Sponsored by Icynene); Empire Communities received the EnerGuide for New Houses Builder of the Year Award (sponsored by OZZ Corporation); and Mattamy Homes North Halton Division received the Best Marketing Program Award (sponsored by Owens Corning). "Through their dedication, skill and enthusiasm, these builders are transforming the new housing market in dramatic ways," said Corey McBurney, Managing Director of EnerQuality Corporation. With communities in Hamilton and Ancaster, Starward Homes has made a significant contribution to energy efficiency by certifying 13 homes as R-2000 in 2006, more than any other builder in the same year. Their Landscapes of Ancaster project, which comprises 37 executive-style, bungalow condominium town homes, is one of the few condominium town home projects to add the benefit of R-2000 to its list of specifications. R-2000 certified homes offer both energy efficiency and green building features. Only licensed R-2000 builders who have been trained and certified can build R-2000 homes. Similarly, Empire Communities, which provides EnerGuide ratings on all of its homes and has communities in Binbrook, Brantford, Cambridge and Uxbridge, labeled 141 homes with an EnerGuide rating, more than any other Canadian builder in 2006. EnerGuide for New Houses is a rating system that informs consumers and supports choice. It measures the energy use and efficiency of a house. Blueprints are analyzed to assess their energy efficiency to generate ratings out of 100. For every point rise on the scale, more money is saved on utility bills. Mattamy Homes North Halton Division consistently advertised their ENERGY STAR® qualified homes, while promoting energy efficiency through its Green Initiative Program and Demonstration Homes. This ensured they raised awareness of the benefits of energy efficient homes, resulting in the sale of 1,300 ENERGY STAR qualified homes in less than a year in its Coates Crossing II and Coates Common neighbourhoods at Hawthorne Village, and Hawthorne Village on the Escarpment community in Milton. ENERGY STAR is internationally recognized as the highest energy efficiency standard on the market, making it best-in-class. The ENERGY STAR label is earned only by homes that have met strict requirements, allowing homebuyers to rely on the performance tested, third party verified, government backed ENERGY STAR label to know they are buying the most efficient house on the market. New homes that receive this label are approximately 30 percent more energy efficient than those built to the minimum Ontario Building Code standards. Mattamy North Halton's Green Initiative Demonstration Homes showcase materials and technologies that work with the environment, forming the foundation for achieving sustainable development through conservation and utilization of alternative sources of energy for future Mattamy North Halton communities. The Demonstration Homes on-site Community Coordinator liaises with schools and local community groups to encourage the use of the homes as a learning tool and as destination for activities. Dedicated on-site Tour Guides are available to explain to the public the advantages and answer questions on each feature - some utilize existing technologies and products, and other features are prototypes not yet offered commercially. "I'm very happy that each of these builders has won Awards of Excellence for outstanding performance in their categories. They are leading Ontario into an environmentally sustainable future," said Mr. McBurney. -30- For background on the individual award winners, high quality photos of projects and recipients, and information about R-2000, EnerGuide for New Houses and ENERGY STAR for New Homes, contact Brent Kulba at 416-972-7401. EnerQuality Corporation manages three popular energy efficiency initiatives in Ontario targeting new housing: ENERGY STAR for New Homes, R-2000 and EnerGuide for New Houses. These three initiatives have a total of 354 participating homebuilders including the largest builders in the country and the support of government and private sector partners including Natural Resources Canada, Ontario's Conservation Bureau, Enbridge Gas Distribution, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, DuPont Tyvek, Icynene, Owens Corning, and OZZ Corporation. The ENERGY STAR mark is administered and promoted in Canada by Natural Resources Canada and used with permission. R-2000 and EnerGuide are official marks of Natural Resources Canada and used with permission.