Built Green sees rise in enrolment to certify new energy-efficient homes
More homes in the Calgary area were enrolled to be put through the paces of the Built Green Canada program over the first three months of 2017 than the same time last year.
Built Green Canada is a national organization with a certification program that rates the level at which a home is energy efficient, measuring factors such as the materials and methods used in its construction, ventilation, waste management, water conservation and indoor air quality.
Enrolments from builders in the Calgary area soared 95 per cent over the first quarter of this year compared to the same time in 2016, says Built Green.
The Calgary area, including builds in Airdrie, Cochrane, Chestermere, and Okotoks, recorded 346 enrolments of single-family homes between Jan. 1 and the end of March, up from 177 year over year.
During this time, the most ac- tive builders in the program were Jayman Built, Excel Homes, Partners Development Group, Sterling Homes and Mission Homes, says Built Green.
Homes completed through the program in the first quarter of 2017, however, dipped 40 per cent to 152 in 2017 from 252 year over year.
“Given the economic downturn, last year builders were focused on selling their existing inventory; therefore, completions were up while enrolments were down,” says Built Green executive director Jenifer Christenson.
There’s also stronger interest from house hunters in energyefficient homes, says Christenson.
“We’re seeing that consumer demand is up,” she says. “The 2016 Canadian Home Buyer Preference National Study shows that 62 per cent of homeowners say a high performance home is a ‘must have.’ ”