EnerQuality Awards of Excellence presented to energy efficiency leaders

With their annual Awards of Excellence, the EnerQuality Corporation recognized Ontario's outstanding building professionals, industry partners and homebuilders today for advancing energy efficiency in new home construction.

(Markham, Ontario, January 12, 2007) With their annual Awards of Excellence, the EnerQuality Corporation recognized Ontario's outstanding building professionals, industry partners and homebuilders today for advancing energy efficiency in new home construction. There were 9 award categories ranging from ENERGY STAR® for New Homes Builder of the Year to Best Marketing Program (chart attached). The awards ceremony was held in conjunction with the Ontario Building & Renovation Forum in Markham.


"The EnerQuality Awards of Excellence winners, through their dedication, skill and leadership, have transformed the new housing market. They have educated consumers, motivated change in the industry and improved building techniques," said Michael Lio, President of EnerQuality Corporation. "This has resulted in an exponential growth in the number of energy efficient homes in Ontario."

EnerQuality manages three popular energy efficiency initiatives in Ontario targeting new housing: ENERGY STAR for New Homes, R-2000 and EnerGuide for New Houses. The three initiatives have a total of 354 participating homebuilders, including the largest builders in the country, and have the support of government and private sector partners, including Natural Resources Canada, Ontario's Conservation Bureau, Enbridge Gas Distribution, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, DuPont Tyvek, Icynene, Owens Corning, and OZZ Corporation.

ENERGY STAR is internationally recognized as the highest energy efficiency standard on the market, making it best-in-class. The ENERGY STAR label is earned only by homes that have met strict requirements, allowing homebuyers to rely on the performance tested, third party verified, government backed ENERGY STAR label to know they are buying the most efficient house on the market. New homes that receive this label are approximately 30 percent more energy efficient than those built to the minimum Ontario Building Code standards.

R-2000 certified homes offer both energy efficiency and green building features. Only licensed R-2000 builders who have been trained and certified can build R-2000 homes.

EnerGuide for New Houses is a rating system that informs consumers and supports choice by measuring the energy use and efficiency of a new house. In this initiative, blueprints are analyzed to assess a house's energy efficiency and generate a rating out of 100. For every point rise on the scale, more money is saved on utility bills.

In 2006, there were 1,616 new, energy efficient homes completed and labeled; 802 homes ENERGY STAR qualified, 78 homes R-2000 certified, and 736 homes EnerGuide rated. Compared to 2005, there was a 255% growth in new, energy efficient homes, due to the massive number of ENERGY STAR homes completed in 2006.

Energy efficient homes are quickly becoming the norm in Ontario. In 2006 alone, builders either started or committed to building 5,011 homes among the three initiatives

"The changes to the Ontario building code in 2006 will require all new homes started in December 2011 to be built to EnerGuide 80. Builders already constructing homes at this level have established a head-start and will easily adapt," said Corey McBurney, Managing Director of EnerQuality. "None of the progress that has been made would have been possible without the hard work of so many. We are very happy to present these Awards of Excellence to the companies and people who are leading Ontario into an environmentally sustainable future."

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For individual media releases, background on the individual award winners, high quality photos of projects and recipients, and information about ENERGY STAR for New Homes, R-2000 and EnerGuide for New Houses, contact Brent Kulba at 416-972-7401 or kulbab(at)huffstrategy.com.

The ENERGY STAR mark is administered and promoted in Canada by Natural Resources Canada and used with permission. R-2000 and EnerGuide are official marks of Natural Resources Canada and used with permission.



EnerQuality Awards of Excellence Winners
January 12, 2007



Best Marketing Program

Sponsored by Owens Corning

Recognizes a builder that has delivered an outstanding marketing program which integrates ENERGY STAR for New Homes, EnerGuide for New Houses or R-2000.

Presented by Andy Goyda, Owens Corning

Mattamy Homes North Halton Division

Mattamy North Halton maintained a consistent advertising program focused on ENERGY STAR® for New Homes and made an outstanding contribution to energy efficiency through their Green Initiative program and two demonstration homes.

Mattamy North Halton is Canada's largest ENERGY STAR builder, having sold 1,300 ENERGY STAR qualified homes in less than a year in its Coates Crossing II and Coates Common neighbourhoods at Hawthorne Village, and Hawthorne Village on the Escarpment community in Milton.



Technical Excellence

Sponsored by DuPont Tyvek

Recognizes technical excellence in building practices which improve energy efficiency in new homes.

Presented by Dana Miller, Chris Taylor and Bruce Kelly, DuPont Tyvek

Reid's Heritage Homes

Reid's Heritage Homes best incorporated innovative building practices and products which improved their overall home performance and efficiency. They worked closely with Natural Resources Canada and certified Energy Evaluators to identify and remedy any problem areas; worked with suppliers and manufacturers to affordably increase home efficiency by standardizing high efficiency construction techniques and products such as heat recovery ventilators and low-e argon windows in select homes, as well as implement a variety of technologies including solar and geothermal heating, cooling and water heating systems. In addition, Reid's Heritage Homes set up working partnerships with municipalities and educational institutions to develop innovative strategies, such as rainwater harvesting systems for homes and communities.

Reid's Heritage Homes has communities in London, Kitchener, Cambridge, Guelph, Collingwood, Kincardine, Port Elgin, Owen Sound, Stokes Bay and Huntsville.



Evaluator of the Year

Sponsored by DOW Chemical

Recognizes a certified Energy Evaluator who provides outstanding service to homebuilders in the ENERGY STAR for New Homes, EnerGuide for New Houses, and R-2000 initiatives.

Presented by Martha Swinn, DOW Chemical

Ross Elliott, Homestead Building Solutions

Ross Elliott evaluated and labeled almost 300 homes in the Ottawa region in 2006. With 20 years experience as an energy auditor, he is highly regarded by his peers and customers. He has supported and built long standing relationships with homebuilders such as Urbandale Homes, Valecraft Homes and Metric Homes, mentored many new evaluators, played a central role in transforming the energy efficient housing market, and is currently chairing EnerQuality's Evaluator Council.



Industry Partner of the Year

Sponsored by the EnerQuality Builder Council

Recognizes a manufacturer or supplier which has gone above and beyond to support energy efficiency in new home construction.

Presented by Bernie Torchia, Eden Oak Homes, EnerQuality Builder Council

Enbridge Gas Distribution

Enbridge Gas Distribution has been an early and active supporter of ENERGY STAR for New Homes and EnerGuide for New Houses. Enbridge provides extensive marketing support to builders and has a team of eight New Housing Market Consultants in the field promoting new home energy efficiency.

Enbridge has also initiated builder/trades training, is involved in consumer research, and continues to reward builders with a financial incentive for building energy efficient homes.



Leader of the Year

Sponsored by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Recognizes leadership in promoting energy efficiency in new home construction by increasing awareness and motivating change.

Presented by Peter Friedman, CMHC

Andrew Bowerbank, Canada Green Building Council, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

Andrew Bowerbank was instrumental in facilitating Ontario's largest ENERGY STAR community, the City of Vaughan's Block 39 Sustainable Community Initiative. This community will comprise 1,600 ENERGY STAR qualified homes, in addition to energy efficient schools, community centres and retail spaces.

Mr. Bowerbank is also managing the development of The Living City Campus in Vaughan where 300 hectares of land at the Kortright Centre for Conservation will be transformed into a Campus for sustainable development. It will contain the largest concentration of green buildings in North America and Canada's largest renewable energy training centre, showcasing to industry leaders the latest concepts and technologies for developing healthy communities.



Leader of the Year

Sponsored by Enbridge Gas Distribution

Recognizes leadership in promoting energy efficiency in new home construction by increasing awareness and motivating change.

Presented by Kathleen Hunt, Enbridge

Sean Mason, Mason Homes

Sean Mason has committed himself and Mason Homes to building and promoting energy efficiency in new home construction and, in the process, has influenced his homebuilder peers and consumers alike. He frequently makes presentations to municipalities, associations and interested groups on energy efficient building and is currently building one of Canada's first LEED H Case Study projects in North Toronto.

Mason Homes was the first ENERGY STAR for New Homes builder in Canada, and in October 2005, they were the first to make ENERGY STAR qualification a standard in all of their homes. Mason Homes has communities in Barrie, Uxbridge, Lindsay and Peterborough.



ENERGY STAR for New Homes Builder of the Year

Sponsored by the Conservation Bureau

Recognizes a builder that exemplifies commitment to energy efficiency in new home construction and labels the most ENERGY STAR qualified new homes.

Presented by Peter Love, Chief Energy Conservation Officer, Conservation Bureau, OPA

The Daniels Corporation

The Daniels Corporation had 175 homes qualified as ENERGY STAR in 2006 with another 275 homes scheduled for ENERGY STAR qualification in 2007.

During the summer, the company finished construction on its Daniels FirstHome' Erin Mills community in Mississauga, which is comprised of ENERGY STAR-qualified, stacked condominium townhomes geared toward first-time homebuyers. This was the largest ENERGY STAR community in Canada built with first-time buyers in mind. In the fall, construction was completed at the next FirstHome' community in Markham.

Daniels is one of Canada's most prominent residential builder/developers, offering communities throughout the GTA, Markham and Oakville.



EnerGuide for New Houses Builder of the Year

Sponsored by OZZ Corporation

Recognizes a builder that exemplifies commitment to energy efficiency in new home construction and labels the most EnerGuide for New Houses qualified homes.

Presented by Glen Leis, OZZ Corporation

Empire Communities

Empire Communities labeled 141 homes with an EnerGuide for New Houses rating, more than any other Canadian builder in 2006. They provide EnerGuide labeled homes company-wide and have communities in Brantford, Binbrook and Cambridge, each with the option of upgrading to ENERGY STAR qualification.

Their new community in Uxbridge, the Estates of Wyndance, has 125 homes that will come with ENERGY STAR qualification as a standard feature



R-2000 Builder of The Year

Sponsored by Icynene

Recognizes a builder that exemplifies commitment to energy efficiency in new home construction and labels the most
R-2000 certified homes.

Presented by Terry Coggins, Icynene

Starward Homes (Meadowland) Limited

Starward Homes made a significant contribution to energy efficiency by certifying 13 homes as R-2000 in 2006, more than any other builder in the same year.

Their Landscapes of Ancaster project, which comprises 37 executive-style, bungalow condominium town homes, is one of the few condominium town home projects to add the benefit of R-2000 to its list of specifications.

Starward Homes also has communities in Hamilton.



Hall of Fame

Sponsored by Natural Resources Canada

Recognizes an individual who has made a significant, long-term contribution to energy efficiency in new home construction

Presented by Sylvain Quilliam, Office of Energy Efficiency, Natural Resources Canada

Doug Marshall (Award accepted by wife Kim and daughter Kristen Marshall)

Doug Marshall of Belleville made an outstanding lifetime contribution to advancing energy efficiency in Canada's new housing industry. He passed away in April 2006, leaving a legacy of market transformation.

Doug's 20-year commitment to energy efficiency in homebuilding had a significant impact on the development and delivery of the R-2000, ENERGY STAR for New Homes and EnerGuide for New Houses initiatives. In 2006, he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from Natural Resources Canada recognizing his contribution.

From the early 1980s, Doug was active in the R-2000 initiative. His company, Marshall Consulting, built several R-2000 houses and provided professional services to numerous other R-2000 builders. More recently, he was one of the most active Energy Evaluators, working with forward-thinking home builders across Ontario, from Toronto to Ottawa, advising them and testing their houses to meet the stringent ENERGY STAR for New Homes standard. He has advocated for and trained many people in the science and skill of energy efficiency home building.

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For individual media releases, background on the individual award winners, high quality photos of projects and recipients, and information about ENERGY STAR for New Homes, R-2000 and EnerGuide for New Houses, contact Brent Kulba at 416-972-7401 or kulbab(at)huffstrategy.com.


ENERGY STAR® for New Homes is a label earned only by homes that have met strict requirements, allowing homebuyers to rely on the performance tested, third party verified, government backed ENERGY STAR label to know they are buying the most efficient house on the market. New homes that receive this label are approximately 30 percent more energy efficient than those built to the minimum Ontario Building Code standards. The ENERGY STAR mark is administered and promoted in Canada by Natural Resources Canada and is used with permission.

R-2000 certified homes offer both energy efficiency and green building features. Only licensed R-2000 builders who have been trained and certified can build R-2000 homes. R-2000 is an official mark of Natural Resources Canada and is used with permission.

EnerGuide for New Houses is a rating system that informs consumers and supports choice by measuring the energy use and efficiency of a new house. EnerGuide is an official mark of Natural Resources Canada and is used with permission.

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