What makes Park View Homes an Energy Efficient Homes Builder?
We sat down with our in-house expert Logan Davidson to find out.
Throughout the years, Park View Homes has been a home builder always looking to improve in any way possible. Things like quality and customer service are always being driven from a hard working team so that our homes stand out and are the place people want to call home. In most recent years, a new attraction was added to our list of goals, it’s called Energy Efficiency. So, we are interviewing Logan Davidson, our architectural designer and certified expert in all things Energy Star!
Q: What are some of the benefits of buying and/or building an energy efficient home?
- Improved Indoor Air Quality - Energy Star homes are required to be built to a higher standard than the traditional building code. All Energy Star homes need to pass an air test which tells us how air tight or how much air leakage there is. An airtight home reduces the chances of moisture, dust, pollen, bugs and more from entering the home.
- Reduced Utility/Operational Cost - Air tight homes and more efficient mechanical equipment result in lower operational cost of the equipment itself, along with the air that is being heated or cooled staying in the home instead of leaking out.
- Increased Durability - Improved construction practices help to ensure water and air infiltration are reduced, improving the life span of the home.
- Increased Occupant Comfort - Tighter building envelope and improved construction practices reduce air leaks. This results in less drafts and more consistent indoor air temperatures throughout the home.
Q: Why is energy Efficiency important to me as a homeowner?
Energy Efficiency should be a top priority for any homeowner. On average an energy star home is 15% - 20% more efficient than a home built to today's building codes. A home is probably one of the biggest investments you will ever make so it makes sense that you get the best possible value for that home and to ensure the home remains durable and healthy through its life span.
Q: What are a few items new buyers can look for in an energy efficient home?
- Energy Efficient Lighting - With advancements in L.E.D technology, it's pretty hard not to see them being used in most homes today. When building a new home be sure to ask what type of lighting is installed in the home. L.E.Ds are a very easy and cost effective solution to reducing energy usage in a home.
- High Performance Windows & Doors - Keep an eye out for triple glazed windows and doors. Whether it's standard or an upgrade feature, they are a great way to increase the energy efficiency of the home by reducing heat loss and condensation on window panes.
- Continuous Insulation (Ci) - as defined by the Ontario Building Code, continuous insulation is intended to minimize the thermal bridges in a wall or roof assembly. It is generally uninterrupted across all structural members. Exceptions to this include fasteners and service openings. This is a vital addition to any wall or roof assembly in reducing heat loss/heat gain through thermal bridging.
- High Efficient Mechanical Equipment - Furnaces, Heat Pumps, Heat or Energy Recovery ventilators, Hot Water Tanks, & Air Conditioning units are not all made with the same efficiency. Something to consider when buying a home. That being said, most building codes today require new homes to have some of the most efficient equipment on the market. For example, most if not all new homes built are required to have a furnace with a 96% A.F.U.E (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) ratio. This ratio is an indication of the heat produced for every dollar of fuel used. That means that for every dollar, $0.96 cents goes toward heat while $0.04 turns into furnace exhaust.
As Logan says “It’s kind of a no brainer” to go Energy Efficient in the place you call home. After all, Home is a safe haven and a comfort zone. It’s a place that we choose to live with our families, pets, or maybe even friends. A place we can build memories and can truly be ourselves. It might as well be saving you money to heat and maximizing your comfort!
