Calgary house builders will soon be measuring their products against an environmental standard in an innovative program kicked off last week by the Calgary Region Home Builders Association (CRHBA).

The first “Built Green” program in Canada has been endorsed by all three levels of government and sponsored by companies including Enmax, industry suppliers and house builders.

Under the program, consumers will pay for features that save energy and reduce waste. In many cases, long-term cost savings will pay back higher initial costs. Built Green Alberta chairman David Bengert, director for purchasing and estimating for Jayman Master Builder, said the program is designed to be flexible, affordable and accessible.

It will also be evaluated each year. Existing products might be deleted – if something becomes standard with all builders, it will no longer be considered an energy-saving option.

Allan Klassen, CEO of Albi Homes and currently CRHBA president, said the idea arose because CRHBA members wanted to become more environmentally friendly.

Former CRHBA president Jay Westman, CEO of Jayman Master Builder, initiated a study in conjunction with SAIT of greener building programs. Built Green Colorado was the most popular and successful of those studied in the United States, and Westman had the opportunity to take a closer look at the U.S. example when his company started a bungalow project in Denver.

For the 1,000 homes the company builds every year, Bengert says, low-flow toilets would save 11 million gallons of water per year. Customers could also save on energy if basements were insulated at R-12 instead of R-8, and less wood would go into building if studs were 24 inches apart instead of 16.

The Alberta group decided to incorporate three levels of ‘greenness’ – corporate education for builders to register, the federal EnerGuide ratings and third-party verification of five per cent of registered homes.

The Built Green Alberta checklist starts with the EnerGuide for new homes, covering items such as insulation ratings and types, and choice of window glazing.

There are six other categories in which builders and house buyers make choices, each of which is assigned points.

Operational systems include construction methods, products that contribute to lower energy consumption and alternative heating and electrical systems. (A two-stage furnace with variable-speed fan is listed at three points, an Energy Star-rated refrigerator at three points, and using extended-life bulbs on half the light fixtures merits one point.)

Building materials cover more than 30 possible selections, such as dimensional lumber from a certified sustainable forest.

Interior and exterior finishes focus on products manufactured within 500 kilometres, products from sustainable sources and those with recycled content. Stone quarried within 500 kilometres used on exterior walls is worth two points, 30-year roofing material is worth three points.

Water conservation includes measures such as insulating hot water pipes and installing low-flow toilets. Giving the buyer a list of drought-tolerant plants and a copy of the city water usage guide is worth a point.

The program has three levels – aptly named bronze, silver and gold – and builders can fit their own markets. Bengert notes that installing a recycling centre in the home with a few bins is low cost, but encourages the customer to recycle.

The cost of adding energy-saving features isn’t going to break your bank book. A bronze label will add $700 to $1,800, depending on the builder and the model.

CRHBA will administer the program.

“We have led the way before and this is a strong start as an association,” said Klassen, “not just as business people but for the betterment of our community.”

Web Watch:
www.builtgreenalberta.com