Empire makes 100% commitment to ENERGY STAR®

Jun 20th, 2007 5:36 AM

Media Release – PHOTOS AVAILABLE Attention News/Assignment/Homes/Energy Reporters and Editors With the launch of it’s “House of the Future” Empire Communities is building your tomorrow house - today (Brantford, ON, June 20, 2007) At a ribbon cutting ceremony today in Brantford’s award winning community of Wyndfield, Empire Communities unveiled its ENERGY STAR qualified “House of the Future.” With the launch of this energy-efficient home, Empire Communities, one of the provinces premier builders, has set the stage to build all of its low rise homes to ENERGY STAR qualified standards. On hand to cut the ribbon were Peter Love, Chief Energy Conservation Officer of Ontario; MP Lloyd St. Amand (Brant); Mayor Mike Hancock, City of Brantford; Corey McBurney, Managing Director of EnerQuality Corporation; Mackenzie Atkins, Owens Corning; Daniel Guizzetti, President, Empire Communities; and Paul Golini Jr., Executive VP Low Rise, Empire Communities. The ENERGY STAR qualified home, which took almost two years to complete from conception to production, was built as a prototype from which to model all of Empire’s new low rise homes. The aggressive move raises the bar to help combat climate change by reducing CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions through better energy-efficiency. Thanks to improved construction techniques, more insulation, better heating and air solutions as well as energy-efficient lighting and appliances, the home is about 30% more energy-efficient than a home built to minimum building code requirements. The many improvements help reduce annual electricity consumption in the home by approximately 1,000 kWh and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 3 tonnes per year. “Our decision to exclusively build energy-efficient homes will offset thousands of tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year, while benefiting our customers through lower utility bills and increased comfort,” said Mr. Guizzetti. “For Empire, committing to energy-efficient homebuilding makes sense from every perspective. The environmental benefits are obvious, but these new homes will also be better all-round--more comfortable, better atmosphere, quieter--and just about every energy-efficient upgrade we’ve employed, pays for itself by reducing monthly expenses, so it’s all good news for our customers.” During the project, Empire worked with consultants, trades and suppliers to carefully review drawings, material usage and construction practices, all with the goal of building a better, energy-efficient home, further reducing energy usage, thereby generating more savings on utility bills and improving comfort for the homeowner. Mr. Love, impressed by Empire’s House of the Future, presented a coveted Certificate of Recognition, which read, “For your commitment to conserve energy and combat climate change by building a high performance house designed to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.” “We can’t rely on legislation and regulation to move us toward more sustainable building practices,” said Mr. Love during the Certificate presentation. “We need builders like Empire to create opportunities for consumers to buy homes that set higher standards for energy-efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.” The 2-storey, 2,597 sq. ft. home saves energy through an air tight, super-insulated building envelope exceeding ENERGY STAR for New Homes standards, with an integrated mechanical system complete with radiant ceramic flooring and bamboo hardwood floors “In an era when ‘green’ is both popular and so very important, Empire is leading the way by adopting construction standards that won’t be legislated for years,” said Mr. McBurney. “Empire is truly building green homes of the future, delivering tangible environmental benefits and real cash-in-your-pocket savings, all while making a commitment to do even more.” A Certificate of Recognition from the Conservation Bureau of Ontario wasn’t the only award Empire received today. Mr. Atkins presented a certificate on behalf of Owens Corning recognizing Environmental Leadership. Mr. Guizzetti, excited with the results of the House of the Future, is proud to be leading a team that has made such a significant commitment to its home buyers and also to the environment. The sales office, located at 73 Blackburn Drive in Brantford, is open from 1 to 7 pm. For more information, visit www.empirecommunities.com or call 519-756-4554. -30- For more information, contact: Karen Kessel, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Empire Communities, 905-307-8102 Ext. 108 Photos: Brent Kulba (Media Relations for EnerQuality), 416-972-7401 OPA/Conservation Bureau Media Hotline, 416-969-6307 Wyndfield has been named best community of the year by the Ontario Home Builders Association, and has also won numerous awards for best architectural design and model homes. In 2006, Empire Communities was awarded Best Corporate Partner of the Year by the City of Brantford for promoting tourism and families to Brantford. In January 2007, EnerQuality Corporation recognized Empire as the EnerGuide Home Builder of the Year for its commitment to energy conservation and labeling of more EnerGuide Rated homes than any other builder in Canada in 2006. 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 approximately 30 percent more energy-efficient than those built to the minimum Ontario building code standards. The ENERGY STAR mark, used with permission, is administered and promoted in Canada by Natural Resources Canada. Fact Sheet House of the Future Building an energy-efficient house The construction of the House of the Future is the result of an exhaustive development program that included careful analysis and review of building drawings and techniques as well as the use of innovative materials and enhanced construction practices, all with the goal of building a better, more energy-efficient home. The result is a standard (that will be followed for all of Empire’s new construction) that delivers comfort, lifestyle and energy-saving benefits to homeowners, while bringing significant monthly savings. The project, from conception to completion, took over 2 years. Energy-Efficiency Features The House of the Future incorporates the following technologies: • A solar thermal water heating system, providing 60% of all hot water annually • ENERGY STAR qualified LOW E ARGON windows • Upgraded building envelope with 2” x 6” walls, R22 High Density Batts plus R5 Insulated sheathing • Radiant ceramic flooring and bamboo hardwood floors • Underslab insulation (Basement) • An integrated heating and ventilation system – ECM Motor and built in HRV Wynfield and Empire Communities • Wyndfield was named Best Community of the Year by the Ontario Home Builders Association, and has also won numerous awards for best architectural design and model homes. • In 2006, Empire Communities was awarded Best Corporate Partner of the Year by the City of Brantford for promoting tourism and families to Brantford. • In January 2007, Empire Communities was awarded EnerGuide Home Builder of the Year, in recognition of its commitment to energy conservation and for labeling more EnerGuide Rated homes than any other builder in Canada in 2006.

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Empire makes 100% commitment to ENERGY STAR®

Jun 20th, 2007 5:36 AM