Press Release
April 27, 2007
Power Smart New Home Program to help incorporate energy efficiency into new homes
VANCOUVER – Over the next nine months, BC Hydro's Power Smart New Home program will incorporate energy-efficient building designs and features into nearly 1,000 new residential homes in British Columbia.
"We have more than 20 builders who are participating in the Power Smart New Home program," said Lisa Coltart, BC Hydro's Director of Power Smart. "We will see this program provide long-term value for home owners, in addition to up to a one third reduction in total energy savings."
Lower operating costs, greater comfort and less impact on the environment are all benefits of Power Smart labelled homes. Power Smart New Home designations are based on the EnerGuide for New Homes rating system developed by Natural Resources Canada to help Canadians improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Homes with an EnerGuide rating are independently evaluated and backed by the federal government.
EnerGuide for New Homes rates a home's energy efficiency level on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 is a home with major air leakage, no insulation and extremely high energy consumption, and 100 is a house that is airtight, well insulated, sufficiently ventilated and requires no purchased energy.
Builders participating in the Power Smart New Home program include English Developments and Fairwest Construction in Victoria, Adera Developments in the Lower Mainland, and Limona Group on Vancouver Island. Many of their complexes have received Power Smart Silver or Gold certifications, and were designed to incorporate the energy efficient features of the Power Smart New Home program.
"A Power Smart Gold labeled home has an EnerGuide 80 rating and uses approximately 30% less energy than the average home built in today's market," said Coltart. "Homebuyers who purchase a Power Smart home will be saving money and helping us towards BC Hydro's conservation long term goal. Increased energy savings will go a long way to helping us fill the growing gap between supply and demand here in B.C."
Contact:
| Gillian Robinson Riddell |
| Media Relations |
| Phone: 604 623-4022 |
| gillian.robinson@bchydro.com |
