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The ENERGY STAR Efficiency Program for Ottawa New Homes

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ENERGY STAR Program for Ottawa Home Builders

Source : U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

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Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has recognised the steeply rising costs of home heating by introducing the ENERGY STAR Programme to encourage new homes builders to build more energy-efficient homes.

Its target is 40 percent higher efficiency.

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) extended the ENERGY STAR initiative in Canada to include energy-efficient new homes being built in Ontario. ENERGY STAR qualified new homes are approximately 30-40 percent more energy efficient than ones built according to minimum Ontario Building Code Standards.

That means reduced energy costs for home owners.

Typical Energy Efficiency :

Typical measures include:

  • Upgrading insulation
  • Installing higher-performance windows, doors & skylights
  • Better draught-proofing
  • More efficient heating
  • More efficient hot water & air-conditioning
  • Sealed ducts (for better air distribution)
  • Installing ENERGY STAR qualified appliances (if supplied by the home builder)

    Benefits to new home owners:

  • Lower energy bills
  • Improved comfort
  • Government-backed quality assurance
  • Lower impact on environment
  • Higher resale value

    ENERGY STAR Symbol :

    The ENERGY STAR symbol on a new home confirms that it meets the required ratings targets. The government of Canada's goal is to ensure that all new homes are built to ENERGY STAR standards by the year 2010.

    An ENERGY STAR qualified new home reduces Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by 20 percent (or three tonnes per year).

    Mortgage Insurance Refund :

    Since November 2004 CMHC offer a 10% refund on its mortgage loan insurance premium when a borrower buys or builds an energy-efficient home. To qualify, its efficiency must meet certain minimum requirements.

    Energy efficiency packages will be included in CMHC's mortgage insurance programme. About 14 percent of new homes could be eligible for a CMHC mortgage loan insurance premium refund of up to $500 for every $100,000 of a mortgage.

    Mortgage loan insurance protects against defaults in mortgage payments and enables new home buyers to obtain mortgage finance with as little as a 5 percent down payment. The Cost is normally added to the balance of a mortgage.

    Urbandale Construction :

    Ottawa home builder Urbandale Construction was named the 2005 Energy Star Builder for building more energy efficient homes than any one else. Urbandale built 58 Energy Star Homes in 2005; almost two-thirds of the total built in Ontario

    Metric Homes :

    Metric Homes was the first Ottawa builder to win the award. For details of their specifications refer to our article about SMALLER OTTAWA BUILDERS.

    Minto Developments :

    Minto's ENERGY STAR Programme is available for all their detached homes. Their energy-efficiency upgrades are summarized here, and provide a good general indication of what an ENERGY STAR new home requires :

    Low e-argon windows (including basement)

    High Insulation Values :

  • R25 at Exterior Walls (R20 with 1inch rigid foam sheathing at exterior walls above grade)
  • R20 at Basement exterior walls (insulation no more than 1ft from floor)
  • R32 Exposed Floors
  • R40 Insulated Ceilings with attic
  • R32 Insulated Ceilings without attic
  • Air Leakage Control (drop ceilings, bulkheads, over garages, baths, exterior walls etc)

    Electrical Efficiency :

  • Minimum of 15CFL (compact fluorescent light bulbs)
  • Airtight plastic electrical boxes in heated ceilings
  • Airtight pot lights

    Mechanical Efficiency :

  • Furnace with 90 percent AFUE (annual fuel utilization)
  • Main supply and exhaust ducts sealed with foil tape
  • Principal exhaust fan rates at 1.5 sonnes
  • Ventilation distribution interconnect (furnace)
  • Rental hot water tanks with minimum of 0.60 EF (energy factor)

    Other :

  • ENERGY STAR upgrades include an air leakage test and third-party inspection.
  • ENERGY STAR upgrades must be purchased prior to the structural cut-off date.

    Tartan Homes Upgrades :

    Ottawa new homes builder Tartan Homes are also an ENERGY STAR participant. You can upgrade your Tartan new home to include additional materials and work that add quality by saving energy and reducing home heating costs.

    ENERGY STAR features are now standard in all Tartan single family and semi-detached new homes in Jackson Trails, Stittsville.

    The following ENERGY STAR upgrades are available in Tartan's detached and semi-detached new homes in Rivers Bend, Findlay Creek and Havenlea :

  • High efficiency furnace with two flame burner and variable speed fan
  • Basement fully insulated to one foot above floor
  • Garage ceiling insulated with ICYNENE enhanced insulation system
  • Air leakage control throughout
  • Energy-efficient compact fluorescent lights throughout (CFL)
  • Improved indoor air quality with a Heat Recovery ventilation System (HRV)

    Standard in all Tartan Homes :

  • All casement windows are argon gas fill with energy efficient low E ratings
  • Thermal wall system with R25 insulation value on exterior walls
  • R50 attic insulation for less heat loss

    Tamarack Homes :

    Ottawa new homes builder Tamarack is another participating builder who emphasizes improved indoor air quality and energy efficiency in their new homes.

    They point out the following improvements they offer in every new home they build:

  • Upgraded Attic Insulation
  • Putty-Sealed Interior Air Vapour Barrier System
  • Low E Argon Insulated Windows
  • Fully Ducted Heat Recovery System
  • Upgraded High Efficiency Furnace
  • Full Height Basement Insulation

    Other Ottawa New Homes Builders :

    Be sure to ask your builder if they are ENERGY STAR participants!

    More details at :

    EnerQuality

    Natural Resources Canada



    • Why buy an Ottawa new home from an Ottawa home builder, rather than a Resale

    :

    FAVORABLE PRICING
    Competition among Ottawa home builder's makes new homes less likely to to overpriced. Ottawa New homes are easy to compare with others in the market equating apples to apples. The homes are the same age and options are declared up front with a breakdown of prices for comparative shopping.

    NEW HOME WARRANTIES
    Ottawa New home buyers are assured of a warranty on the home itself and on major appliances, including air conditioning and heating systems. Today's Ottawa home builder's extend the Tarion warrenty, which includes structural elements.

    HOMESITE SELECTION
    Location, location, location. Being able to select just the right new home community and lot is almost as important as choosing the right home for your life-style. Ottawa home builders offer a wide selection of lots including golf course locations, waterfront, rural, estate lots and more.

    LATEST MATERIALS
    Low maintenance is one of the most important features of new homes being built today in Ottawa. New technologies and building materials are virtually maintenance free, especially on the exterior. Homeowners no longer have to worry about painting every 3 to 5 years.

    ENERGY EFFICIENCY
    A new home built today is required by law to meet stricter energy codes than homes built in the past, when codes either didn't exist or were much more lenient. Many Ottawa home builder's use materials that are designed to exceed the strict limits to produce future savings for home owners.

    COMPATIBLE NEIGHBORS
    In most new Ottawa communities buyers will be moving in with neighbors that, in general, have similar circumstances. In older communities, new-comers may have more difficulty fitting-in to the already established social setting.

    SIMPLIFIED FINANCING
    Securing financing is the major obstacle to home ownership. Most Ottawa home builder's have done the leg work for you. They have researched the best rates for their specific type of Housing, with established lenders that know the products.

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