The non-profit Built Green Canada, which has enrolled 13,465 homes in Alberta and British Columbia since 2004, will soon be helping home builders across Canada construct homes with a lighter environmental footprint.
Build Green is a voluntary program that offers building standards, mandatory builder training and third-party testing, inspections and audits. It encourages homebuilders to use technologies, products and practices that will provide greater energy efficiency and reduce pollution; provide healthier indoor air; reduce water usage; preserve natural resources; and improve durability and reduce maintenance. Certified builder select items from a checklist of green criteria posted on the Built Green Canada website to meet Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum achievement levels. These criterias are based on eight checklist categories: operational systems, building materials, exterior and interior finishes, indoor air quality, ventilation, waste management, water conservation and business practices.
In Oakville, Ontario, Habitat for Humanity Halton will build two homes (starting in June) with high environmental standards thanks to the involvement of Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and Build Green Canada. These homes will be the first in Ontario certified to Built Green Canada standards.
“Oakville, like other communities, has its share of low-income households looking for decent housing,” said Anne Swarbrick, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Halton. ”The SFI and Built Green programs are helping us make home ownership possible for two families – with the added bonus that the homes will have a lighter environmental footprint.”
Klondike supports Habitat for Humanity and is a member of Built Green Canada so we are very proud to see these organizations continue to set higher standards when it comes to green building practices.
Twitter
Facebook
