Green community in St Catharines sets new standard for environmentally friendly home building

Apr 28th, 2008 5:41 AM

Green community sets new standard for environmentally friendly home building ENERGY STAR® qualified homes in St. Catharines surpass traditional environmentally friendly homes by conserving water, using less energy and utilizing less toxic materials (St. Catharines, April 26, 2008) Today the latest in ‘whole home’ green building was unveiled providing home buyers in the St. Catharines region with a new, superior environmental standard in home ownership. Representatives from Mason Homes and EnerQuality Corporation (the licensed operator of the ENERGY STAR brand in Canada) were on hand to celebrate this unique residential development. St. Catharines Mayor, Brian McMullan, also attended in support of the project. “Today marks a new beginning for environmentally sustainable home building in Ontario,” said Sean Mason, Vice-President of Sales for Mason Homes. “The homes of Chicory Walk incorporate a full spectrum of green friendly techniques and materials. From water conservation to utilizing more earth friendly building materials and improved energy efficiency, these homes are designed to be green for life.” Located in the heart of St. Catharines, just south of the Queen Elizabeth Way, the Chicory Walk development is surrounded by parks, schools and shops. The community is designed to be pedestrian friendly and homes are built on infills. There are 60 lots available and homebuyers can choose a townhome, bungalow or two story detached design situated on a 32, 35 or 40 foot lot. Interior packages can be suited to meet the needs of the owner and all homes include ENERGY STAR appliances. “We are thrilled to be here today and congratulate Mason Homes for their unwavering commitment to build attractive, healthier and better quality homes that encompass a whole home green approach,” said Michelle Cote, Account Manager with EnerQuality Corporation. “We look forward to the next chapter in environmentally sustainable and energy efficient home building and are confident that these homes will reduce homeowner costs and limit the impact that homeownership can have on the environment.” 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. Typical energy saving measures in an ENERGY STAR qualified home include higher levels of insulation in basements, walls and attics, ENERGY STAR qualified windows and doors, tighter building envelopes, programmable thermostats, sealed ducts, ENERGY STAR qualified appliances and high-efficiency heating, hot water and air conditioning systems. For more information on Chicory Walk, ENERGY STAR or Mason Homes, contact: Don Huff, ECO, (416) 805-7720 Michele Cote, Account Manager, Enerquality Corporation, Onsite: (416) 305-3671 Mason Homes is a third-generation homebuilder and family-run business that has built over 4000 quality homes in many communities across Ontario including Etobicoke, Toronto, Scarborough, Markham, Barrie, Schomberg, Uxbridge, Lindsay and Peterborough. They strive to be a progressive company in design, architecture, new urbanism, community planning and energy efficiency. They are the first community to offer homes that are not only Energy Star qualified, but also help further reduce energy and water consumption while providing improved indoor air quality. Green for Life homes will provide a happier, healthier home and lessen your impact on the environment. EnerQuality Corporation is committed to helping builders build more energy efficient and sustainable homes. Founded in 1998 and supported by A-list partners, EnerQuality delivers the ENERGY STAR® for New Homes, R-2000, EnerGuide Rating Service, LEED for Homes and the brand new GreenHouse™ Certified Construction programs. 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. 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. The ENERGY STAR mark, used with permission, is administered and promoted in Canada by Natural Resources Canada.

Environmental Communication Options' Media Releases

Green community in St Catharines sets new standard for environmentally friendly home building

Apr 28th, 2008 5:41 AM