Single Family Checklist, Single Family Audits, Key Messages, Logos, and Expansion
Single Family Checklist
December 19, 2013—Further to our previous communique, we are not updating the Single Family Checklist for 2014; rather, we’re making a few minor revisions focused on clarification of intent. The checklist items that have revised text are listed below:
Note: There are no updates to point values.
-
Checklist Item #1-2: Install additional insulation on exterior of above grade walls, above insulation amounts already required by code: add R5 for 1 point or R10 for 3 points.
-
Checklist Item #1-31: No combustion-based fireplaces are provided, or all gas fireplaces are sealed and have electronic ignition.
-
Checklist Item #1-35: Electric oven is convection based.
-
Checklist Item #2-44: Minimum 30-year manufacturer warranty roofing material (2 points plus 1 point for each additional 5 years). "Lifetime" warranties have terms/conditions and ultimately have a limited in real years, and will not be considered unless clarified.
-
Checklist Item #3-7: Prior to occupancy, but after all interior construction is substantially complete and all finishes have been installed, perform a full flush of the air within the house by running the air handler (on maximum speed if a variable speed device) for a minimum of 48 hours (combined over not more than 4 sessions), and provide new filters in the air handler after the flush is complete.
-
Checklist Item #3-16: All hardwood flooring is factory finished.
-
Checklist Items #5-4: Minimum 35% (1 point), 50% (2 points), 75% (3 points), or 90% (4 points) by weight or volume of waste materials collected from construction site is diverted from waste stream.
-
Checklist Item #7-12: Builder's primary place of business (ie: office) is certified via a recognized third-party best practice program.
The 2014 Single Family Checklist is attached herein and is posted under “Checklists and Guides” on both the portal and the Canada Green Homes landing page.
We remain committed to continual improvements to our program, which are manageable and challenge builders to continue advancing their green building practices toward a more sustainable future. Further, we would like to acknowledge the tremendous efforts of the Technical Standards Committee and their commitment to our program.
Note: The Proposed 2015 Single Family Checklist will be coming out early in the New Year for input as we begin our industry consultation process.
Single Family for New Homes Verification Checklist on “Visibly Inspectible” Items
Last week we connected with our Service Organizations and Certified Energy Advisors to provide them with our first Single Family for New Homes Verification Checklist and process. This “visibly inspectible” verification is a component of our quality assurance process; its implementation will increase the rigour of the Built Green® certification process and will add another level of credibility to the program.
Coming into effect in the New Year, the verification will be applied to five per cent of our total projects,on a province-by-province basis. For those 5 per cent of projects chosen to undergo the verification, it is a requirement for certification. Builders chosen for the verification, based on previous year enrolment numbers, will be notified in February by their Delivery Agent, at which time they’ll learn how many of their 2014 projects will be reviewed. As the builder’s projects are enrolled throughout 2014, the CEA will be notified which ones have been earmarked for verification prior to the blower door testing.
Please note there will be no charge to the builder for this.
For those interested in viewing the verification process and checklist, it is posted under “Checklists and Guides” on both the portal and the Canada Green Homes landing page.
Key Messages for Your Use
We have developed key messages about Built Green Canada for our members to integrate into their marketing, communications, sales, and more. The key messages outline the benefits of Built Green and what we’re about, as we apply to builders, consumers, and government/media, stakeholder-related audiences. Our members can choose the messages most relevant to their company, wordsmith them to reflect their company’s tone and brand, and use them in their own promotional material, sales messages, and more, to show the significance and advantages of a BUILT GREEN® certified home.
Among our many audiences, Built Green Canada and its members need to move to a place of relevancy, and part of this is about continuity in what is being communicated. Thus, the key messages are about driving consistent, unified messaging about Built Green to raise awareness, profile, and to move consumers to asking and choosing a BUILT GREEN® certified home.
Home buyers have many materials to navigate through and try to understand. Though we have a customizable brochure members may use, we encourage builders to integrate our messages into their existing tools: our key messages are to be incorporated into whatever materials builders are already using, and shaped to fit each company’s brand.
Building “green” may be difficult to understand in tangible ways. Consumers are quite willing to take are cycled shopping bag to the grocery store, as this is a low-commitment option with obvious benefits. However, understanding a “green” home proves more difficult, as it is more complex. Our key messages break it down.
As Built Green is a program technical in nature, it’s easy to understand how the discussion of Built Green tends to focus on technical aspects. However, we suggest a move towards a more emotional, first-hand account as our lead in to promoting and selling Built Green Canada. After all, we’re selling places to raise a family, a place to call home, a place that is safe.
The key messages in the attached document is called the Built Green Canada Message Map. It is organized to allow customization from builder to builder and is presented in three sections to accommodate messaging targeting builders, consumers, and government/media/stakeholder-related audiences. The top section of each identifies the key messages, presented in order of presumed importance (left to right). Underneath each are a series of bullets expanding on the key message, making it provable (if possible), etc.
This is a document in-progress and is updated quarterly. We encourage you to use the Built Green Canada Message Map in the day-to-day running of your organization such that the benefits of Built Green become part of your company’s language and culture.
We would like your testimonials and input so we may continue to populate this document with meaningful content that moves us toward a more emotive approach. Please send us your content.
The Built Green Canada Message Map is posted under “Marketing Resources” on both the portal and the Canada Green Homes landing page.
Built Green Canada Logos: Updated
In an effort to distinguish our various membership types, we have updated our logos. As well, contributors to the product catalogue now have a logo for their use.
We encourage you to use these on your marketing collateral, website, signage, in your show homes, etc. The Built Green Logo package is posted under “Marketing Resources” on both the portal and the Canada Green Homes landing page.
Built Green Canada announces expansion across Western Canada: Move into Saskatchewan and Manitoba coincides with 10th anniversary
Edmonton, AB, December 9, 2013—Coinciding with Built Green Canada’s 10th anniversary, the organization announces its expansion into Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and will be operative in the New Year. This move marks the success of the organization, in large part, due to those in the residential building sector.
The expansion addresses the growing demand for responsible sustainability practices driven by builders, developers, government, and homeowners. Built Green’s programs recognize energy efficiency as a fundamental component and move beyond this to include electrical efficiency, water efficiency, indoor air quality, resource use, and overall environmental impact.
New building code changes (9.36) coming in 2014 are expected to escalate costs for builders. “Builders can invest the dollars required to reach the new industry standards taking a prescriptive route, or they can spend the equivalent to comply with the new code and participate in our program,” says Jenifer Christenson, Built Green Canada, executive director. “As such, our programs are complementary to the incoming standards.”
Built Green is affordable, third-party certified, and easily implementable with pre-approved sample checklists and guides. BUILT GREEN® builders have a competitive advantage, showing leadership through sustainable practices, while gaining credibility with third-party certification—ultimately offering better built homes for homeowners to enjoy now and in the years to come.
A BUILT GREEN® homeowner enjoys an efficient, environmentally friendly home that is healthier, more durable, comfortable, and quiet, with better air quality. The home is less expensive to live in with lower monthly operating costs than a home built to industry standard, and further, it enhances the value and retention of the house.
Built Green Canada is an industry-driven organization offering programs for single family and high density projects, with a renovations and a communities program under development. The organization is “by builders for builders”, so the programs are informed by the industry to ensure they’re robust, credible, and achievable.
Since its inception, Built Green has enrolled and completed over 20,500 BUILT GREEN® certified homes represented in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario—including the units in multi-storey projects, the total is over 23,500. We are leading the way in sustainability performance for residential home construction.
For more information:
Jenifer Christenson, Executive Director
Built Green Canada
Phone: 780.485.0920
E-mail: jchristenson@builtgreencanada.ca