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Halminen Homes to build 74 new ENERGY STAR® homes in Clarington - Environmental Communication Options/Huff Strategy

Halminen Homes to build 74 new ENERGY STAR® homes in Clarington

Apr 18th, 2006 6:42 AM

Maplewoods the first community of all ENERGY STAR homes in the region (Clarington, April 18, 2006) Halminen Homes, after completing its first ENERGY STAR home in November and offering energy efficiency as an upgrade in all of its new homes, has taken the next step and made ENERGY STAR a standard feature in every home it builds, beginning with the 74 homes that will comprise its newest community. Over 40 people attended the Grand Opening of this energy efficient community, called Maplewoods, where Hon. Beverly Oda, M.P. (Durham); Jeff Leal, M.P.P. (Peterborough) and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy; John O’toole, M.P.P. (Durham); Mayor John Mutton; Corey McBurney of EnerQuality Corporation; and Hannu Halminen of Halminen Homes cut the ribbon and unveiled two new model homes. “Energy efficiency is more important now than ever,” said McBurney. “I’m very pleased that Halminen Homes has made energy efficiency a standard feature in all of their homes. Together, these 74 homes will save a minimum of 70,000 kilowatt hours of electricity and over 200 tones of greenhouse gas emissions per year.” ENERGY STAR qualified homes are approximately 30 to 40 percent more energy efficient than those built to minimum Ontario Building Code standards. Halminen has achieved this level of efficiency through high quality, tight construction that prevents air leakage, in addition to Low E Argon windows, upgraded insulation, a high efficiency furnace, a heat recovery ventilator (HRV), and a programmable thermostat, among other features. “This is an exciting new development in homebuilding,” said McBurney. “This announcement of 74 homes to be labelled ENERGY STAR is very significant, and demonstrates Halminen Homes’ leadership and commitment to energy efficient construction.” Hannu Halminen was presented an Award of Recognition, for his longstanding commitment to energy efficiency, from Andy Goyda of Owen’s Corning. Halminen expressed his gratitude and remarked that, “Not only is it a smart move to protect the environment, but it saves the homeowner money, creates a healthier home, reduces maintenance, leads to a higher resale value and greater customer satisfaction overall. That’s important when people trust us with the biggest purchase of their lives.” In addition to energy efficiency features, the homes, ranging from 1400 to 2600 sq. feet, offer a range of luxury features, such as leaded glass entry doors with sidelights; elegant maple staircases with wrought iron spindles; granite kitchen countertops; Moen Monticello plumbing fixtures; Da Vinci stone fireplaces; Corian countertops in the bathrooms with antique nickel faucets; and many others. “Energy efficiency doesn’t compromise luxury, it compliments it,” said McBurney. “I hope to see more energy efficient, luxury communities like Maplewoods in the future.” -30- For more information or to arrange interviews, contact Brent Kulba, EnerQuality (ENERGY STAR) media relations, at 416-972-7401 ENERGY STAR® for New Homes is a label given to homes that meet balanced, whole-house, energy-efficiency standards, guaranteeing their owners significant energy savings. New homes that receive the ENERGY STAR label are 40 percent more energy efficient than those built to the minimum Ontario building code standards. The ENERGY STAR mark is administered and promoted in Canada by Natural Resources Canada.