“Built Green Canada is an industry-driven, national, non-profit organization. They are committed to working with builders interested in responsible sustainability practices in the residential building sector.”
– Built Green Canada
Building The Future with BuiltGreen
Building green is becoming as common as choosing a granite countertop. We have found it to be quite the journey but one we are committed to. Nowadays, there is a vast amount of resources when it comes to how to achieve a greener home. There are definitely options. For instance, you can jump all in and aim for Net-Zero or you can go the European route and build a Passive House. A more common way to achieve your green building goals, is to go for Built Green certification.
Built Green refers to themselves as the holistic approach to building a green home. They say that because the way they get their builders to comply with the checklist is by viewing the process of building a home as a system. Everything from the recycling program to the office supplies matter. As well as the materials used in the envelope of the home, etc. Basically you have more ways of achieving the certification than you do if you were to aim for other certifications.
Built Green strives to research and communicate the human and environmental benefits of green building. When we met with an advisor from BuiltGreen, many of our questions were finally answered. Built Green Canada was started by builders, and created for builders. The Built Green checklist is easy to work with on site, and explain to clients. We now approach our first client meetings by proposing green building options just as we give options for flooring. It’s the way of the future. The best part of all of this is our clients are on board, and already benefiting from it.
How does being BuiltGreen Certified benefit you?
Custom homes can be optimized to a Built Green standard that will lower your operating costs over time. This is done by utilizing efficient technologies such as water-saving toilets and low-flow showers. Building homes with options for CFL and LED lighting, timers and motion sensors can definitely help with your electrical efficiency.
Less temperature variation can be seen in new homes because they can be created to be more airtight. Superior ventilation can increase your respiratory and immune system by removing lingering odors and unwanted VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). Options for Low or Zero VOC paints may also be considered to meet the Built Green criteria. Asthma and allergies can be drastically improved with the increased air quality.
Custom homes with green certification sell for close to 10% more on average compared to the industry standard according to Canadian Home Builders’ Association. Energy efficiency is an attractive feature and now part of the building code. Potential buyers will also appreciate the utility savings that your home may offer.
Homes that are certified are also automatically eligible for a partial mortgage rebates through Genworth or the Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation (CMHC).
Certification Requirements
The program focuses on seven areas (each area is awarded points) in order to meet the criteria of becoming a BuiltGreen home. The areas are as follows:
- Envelope and Energy Systems
- Materials and Methods
- Indoor Air Quality
- Ventilation
- Waste Management
- Water Management
- Business Practices
Envelope and Energy Systems require a minimum amount of points from their product catalogue. This depends on which tier of sustainability you would like to meet. To meet a gold tier, there are a minimum of 35 points to reach. The program identifies specific aspects to the build that count toward the total point score. For example, replacing exterior wood sheathing with insulating sheathing and structurally required metal bracing will award 2 points. A list of approved products will usually be accompanied to make the process straightforward and easy to adhere to.
Each home is subject to a different set of criteria or checklist depending on the location, size and orientation. This is very important to keep in mind. At Hasler Homes, we’re able to ensure that your home’s requirements are met. We also can provide effective alternatives that meet and exceed the recommendations. We have incorporated items such as efficient hot water tanks and increased insulation factors to provide higher R-values in attics, frost, and exterior walls. There are many features on our specification that currently meet the criteria and include products, such as, efficient low-flow Kohler plumbing and active HRV systems found in every Hasler Homes home.
