Photo courtesy Sun Rivers Construction

A home in Kamloops, B.C.—built by Sun Rivers Construction—achieved Platinum certification by the Built Green program for being energy-efficient.

Homebuilders across Canada will soon be able to use the Built Green Canada program, which was previously available only in Alberta and British Columbia. Three Ontario projects are now being constructed.

The voluntary energy-efficiency program offers building standards, builder training, and third-party testing, inspections, and audits. Homebuilders are encouraged to use technologies, products, and practices to:
• decrease pollution and energy consumption;
• provide healthier indoor air;
• reduce water use;
• preserve natural resources; and
• improve durability and reduce maintenance.

Certified builders choose items from a green criteria checklist posted on the website to meet Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum achievement levels. The categories include:
• operational systems;
• building materials;
• exterior and interior finishes;
• indoor air quality (IAQ);
• ventilation;
• waste management;
• water conservation; and
• business practice.

Derek Satnik, managing partner for consulting firm Mindscape Innovations (Kitchener, Ont.), said by using the checklist and catalogue, different-sized companies can build homes comfortable in any climate, have better air quality, lower utility bills, and a solid resale value.

David Bengert, Green Built Canada president, told Construction Canada Online this program gives another certification method that is not as heavy as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

"This is another pathway to achieve a third-party certification on a home. We can certify residential houses, and we can also do townhouses and apartments, but only up to three or four storeys," he said.