Between rising energy costs and the growing impact of global climate change, Canadians are beginning to make major changes in the choices we make, the way we lead our lives and the places we call home. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) EQuilibrium™ Sustainable Housing Demonstration Initiative is helping to lead the way towards a greener future, by bringing the private and public sectors together to develop homes and communities that are healthy, comfortable, energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, resource conserving — and affordable.
EQuilibrium™ homes combine advanced energy-efficient design features with cutting-edge renewable energy systems. The result is homes and communities that are designed to minimize their environmental impact and produce as much energy as they consume on an annual basis. Among other benefits, EQuilibrium™ homes have been designed to offer:
Lower monthly utility bills over the entire lifetime of the home.
A home design that integrates solar energy features for heat, light and electricity.
Dramatic reduction in energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and waste.
Healthier indoor environments, water conservation, and long-term durability.
To help Canadians learn first-hand about the advantages of sustainable housing, CMHC EQuilibrium™ demonstration homes are open for public tours across the country. The latest of these include:
Avalon Discovery 3 — a single-family home in Red Deer, Alberta, designed by Avalon Master Builder, that combines solar power with energy-efficient wall and window designs, greywater recycling (recycling of used water) and a healthy indoor environment;
Now House™ — a 60-year-old wartime house in Toronto, Ontario, designed by The Now House™ Project Inc., that has been completely retrofitted with upgraded insulation, reduced air leakage, energy-efficient windows and appliances, radiant floor heating and solar panels;
Riverdale NetZero Project — an energy-efficient duplex in Edmonton, Alberta, designed by Habitat Studio and Workshop Ltd., that relies in large part on solar power for heating and hot water, as well as for electricity for lighting and appliances. Low-polluting materials and finishes help to create a healthy indoor environment; and
Laebon CHESS Project — a super energy and resource efficient single family home in Red Deer, Alberta, designed by Laebon Homes, that features natural materials and finishes to support a healthy indoor environment, and integrated renewable energy systems such as solar hot water, ground source heat, and solar panels.
For more information on the CMHC EQuilibrium™ Sustainable Housing Demonstration Initiative, or to visit a demonstration home near you, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca and type in the search keyword “EQuilibrium.” For more than 60 years, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has been Canada’s national housing agency and a source of objective, reliable housing expertise.
For story ideas or to access CMHC experts or expertise, contact CMHC Media Relations — National Office at: 613-748-4684 or by e-mail: media@cmhc.ca.
Published: February 6, 2009, Source: CMHC