Sustainable Building Practices: Growth Continues
Industry and market driven demand greater efficiencies
Published in New Homes & Condos Edmonton Magazine
Despite a contracted economy, driven in part by the plummet in oil prices, which continue to hover at all-time lows, BUILT GREEN® builders are to be applauded for their steadfast commitment to sustainable building practices. There’s growing recognition of the benefits of sustainable building for both the builder and the homeowner.
The demand for sustainable building continues to increase—a recent study conducted across the country reveals homebuyers rate three of their top 10 “must haves” as related to energy efficiency, with 64% citing an efficient home, and 49% citing home certification as “must have” with an additional 29% saying they really want certification. Check out more “must haves” here, including water conservation:
- Energy efficient appliances 68.4%
- Energy efficient windows 63.4%
- Heat Recovery Ventilation and Energy Recovery Ventilation systems 52%
- Low-flush toilets 45.2%
- Standard tank water heaters 41%
- LED lighting 36%
Statistics from the 2015 Canadian Home Buyer Preference National Study, conducted and produced by Avid Ratings Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Home Builders’ Association.
Perry Homes Commitment to Environmentally Conscious Homes
Long-time BUILT GREEN® builder, Perry Homes’ motto “spectacular is the standard” knows first-hand that building an environmentally conscious home doesn’t mean luxury has to be sacrificed. Committed to superior design and stylish living space for over 35 years, Perry Homes has established itself as a premiere custom builder in the Edmonton region—this evidenced by their award wins and continued work to raise the bar, delivering some of the industry’s highest standards for building materials, finishes, lifestyle features, and décor into a single, premium quality specifications package.
As a BUILT GREEN® builder, Perry Homes is trained in BUILT GREEN® practices, policies, and procedures prior to the construction of projects. And each home is measured and tested for air tightness through a blower door test, which informs the EnerGuide label.
The BUILT GREEN® Single Family program, its flagship, is third-party certified, and each BUILT GREEN® certified home includes a two-in-one: an EnerGuide label and a BUILT GREEN® seal, usually affixed to the furnace or electrical panel. This is because Built Green’s programs address energy efficiency and then go beyond to include the preservation of natural resources, reduction of pollution, ventilation and air quality, and the improvement of home durability. Each home looks at energy and envelope systems, materials and methods, indoor air quality, ventilation, waste management, water conservation, and business practices.
Beyond building more environmentally conscious houses, Perry Homes promotes sustainability through their work supporting a number of causes, including the University Hospital Foundation, Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation, and more. Their support has included building prized dream homes through the Full House Lottery, healthy homes for the Lois Hole Hospital for Women, and participation in the Kilimanjaro Climb for the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation, to name a few. What many may not know is that Perry Homes was honoured for their longstanding contributions to the Lois Hole Hospital when the main floor of Perinatal Clinic was named “Perry Women’s Health Perinatal Clinic”.
Perry Homes’ quality builds, and their work in support of social causes, is commendable. As homebuyers’ raised awareness of the benefits of a sustainably built home continues—healthier home environment, more durable home with a lower environmental impact, and a reduction in monthly operating costs, rebates, and more—consider supporting those companies pushing for societal change.