Sterling Homes and BUILT GREEN® Canada: a Perfect Partnership
At Sterling Homes, we strongly believe in building homes that are not only beautiful and comfortable but are also environmentally friendly and sustainable. That’s why we’re proud to announce that we’re now a member of BUILT GREEN® Canada! Our partnership with BUILT GREEN® Canada allows us to offer our customers the best of both worlds: high-quality, energy-efficient homes that are also highly affordable.
BUILT GREEN® – An In Depth Look
Check out this video to get an overview of what it means to be a BUILT GREEN® Certified Builder and the benefits of owning a BUILT GREEN® Certified home.
So, What is BUILT GREEN®?
BUILT GREEN® Canada is a national non-profit industry-driven organization that promotes, encourages, and supports the construction of environmentally responsible (or even net-zero) homes.
The programs address seven key areas of sustainable building: energy & envelope, materials & methods, indoor air quality, ventilation, waste management, water conservation, and building practices.
The BUILT GREEN® program is completely voluntary and uses a holistic approach to improve both energy efficiency (through its EnerGuide label) and the use of sustainable materials (through the BUILT GREEN® label.). By partnering with BUILT GREEN®, we are committing to building durable, healthier, and energy-efficient homes while maintaining affordable homes with unbeatable value.
This third-party certification program allows us to assess the environmental performance of the homes we build. It also ensures the authentication of a high-performance home, giving both credibility to us as the home builder and peace of mind for you, the home buyer.
Connect with us to find your BUILT GREEN® home today!
Our partnership with BUILT GREEN® Canada allows us to offer our customers the best of both worlds: high-quality, energy-efficient homes that are also highly affordable.
How is a home certified BUILT GREEN®?
At Sterling Homes, we're committed to building quality homes under the BUILT GREEN® program. But what do we do differently to get a home certified? Well, a number of building practices are evaluated and given a point value. From there, the property is awarded a tiered rating according to their scores. The higher the total points achieved, the higher the level of BUILT GREEN® Certification awarded to the home.
The primary building practices that are evaluated include:
- Building Envelope and Energy Efficiency
- Resource Conservation via Sustainable Materials and Methods
- Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation
- Waste Management
- Water Conservation
There are various certification levels in the BUILT GREEN program including Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum with Sterling Homes certifying as Gold or higher in 95% of homes. Unlike other builders, Sterling Homes certifies every single house we build – not just a select few.
Another major contributor we measure that helps ensure certification is by measuring both Air Changes per Hour and Green House Gas Emissions.
What is Air Changes Per Hour (ACH)?
One of the main factors that differentiates our homes and achieves us our high certification levels is through air-tight building practices. Our airtight design is pivotal in maintaining an optimal indoor climate, thereby conserving energy and reducing costs. To quantify this, we use 'Air Changes Per Hour (ACH). Imagine your home like a balloon: when air escapes through uncontrolled gaps like the seals around windows, it's like a balloon with a slow leak, leading to more frequent refills (or in the case of your home, more heating or cooling).
The standard building code allows up to 2.5 ACH, meaning significant air leakage. In contrast, Sterling Homes achieves an impressive average of only 1.0 ACH. Our air-tight building practices symbolizes our superior control over air circulation, ensuring that every breath of air in your home is managed efficiently.
ACH is measured throughout the building process with the use of a blower door test. A blower door as a diagnostic tool to determine how much air is entering or escaping from your home.
Benefits of Owning a BUILT GREEN® Certified Home
When it comes to building a new home, more and more homeowners are choosing a greener way. And it’s not hard to see why. Green-built homes offer a number of benefits over traditional homes, from improved energy efficiency to enhanced indoor air quality. Here's a closer look at what benefits you can expect by deciding to own a BUILT GREEN® Certified Home:
1. 25% Mortgage Insurance Rebate
By choosing a BUILT GREEN® Canada certified home, you’re eligible for mortgage rebates; more specifically for a partial mortgage loan insurance premium refund. Homes certified BUILT GREEN® Platinum, or BUILT GREEN® Gold, OR have under 11.4 tonnes/year of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) qualify for a partial refund of 25% if you’re CMHC insured.
2. Annual Cost Savings
A BUILT GREEN® home is designed to be energy-efficient, which means they use less energy and water, resulting in lower monthly bills. In fact, BUILT GREEN® homes can save homeowners an average of 30% on their monthly energy bills! That’s because BUILT GREEN® homes are built with insulation and construction techniques that keep the home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
3. Increased Resale Value
Because green homes are in high demand, they often sell for more than traditional homes. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors, “homes that are certified green can sell for 9% more than similar non-certified homes.” So, if you’re looking for a home that will appreciate in value, a BUILT GREEN® home is a great option and it gives you the opportunity to recoup your investment down the road.
4. A Healthier Home With Reduced Environmental Impact
When you choose a Sterling BUILT GREEN® home, you're not just investing in a high-quality, comfortable living space; you're actively contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gases, playing a vital role in shaping a healthier, more sustainable future for our planet
Calculate Your BUILT GREEN® Mortgage Insurance Rebate!
To be eligible for CMHC insurance, your amortization period must be 25 years or less.
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| Down Payment (% of Purchase Price) | 5–9.99% | 10–14.99% | 15–19.99% |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMHC Insurance (% of Mortgage Amount) | 4.00% | 3.10% | 2.80% |
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Still got Questions – Browse through our FAQ’s!
If you have any further questions about our BUILT GREEN® homes , don’t hesitate to contact one of our Area Managers today. They’re happy to help!
The programs address seven key areas of sustainable building: energy & envelope, materials & methods, indoor air quality, ventilation, waste management, water conservation, and building practices.
This third-party certification program allows us to assess the environmental performance of the homes we build. It also ensures the authentication of a high-performance home, giving both credibility to us as the home builder and peace of mind for you, the home buyer.
2. Annual Cost Savings through Increased Energy Efficiency
3. Increased Resale Value
4. A Healthier Home With Reduced Environmental Impact
5. A More Durable Home
and MORE!
Single-family new homes certified BUILT GREEN® Gold, BUILT GREEN® Platinum, or have under 11.4 tonnes per year of greenhouse gas emissions are eligible for a partial mortgage loan insurance premium refund of 25%.
BUILT GREEN® homes are often more affordable than traditional homes, due to the fact that they use less energy and water, and produce less waste, meaning annual savings in energy costs.
The primary building practices that are evaluated include:
- Building Envelope and Energy Efficiency
- Resource Conservation via Sustainable Materials and Methods
- Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation
- Waste Management
- Water Conservation
The standard building code allows up to 2.5 ACH, meaning significant air leakage. In contrast, Sterling Homes achieves an impressive average of only 1.0 ACH. Our air-tight building practices symbolizes our superior control over air circulation, ensuring that every breath of air in your home is managed efficiently.
This innovative system guarantees a healthier living environment, noticeable savings on utility bills, and a reduced environmental footprint.
A Closer Look at the Impact:
Since implementing BUILT GREEN® building practices, we’ve seen huge improvements in both Sterling Homes Green House Gas (GHG) emissions and as a builder, our comparison to the national building code. Take a look for yourself:
The chart above showcases the GHG in tonnes/year/house. Overall, we can see a downward trend line, showing that by building BUILT GREEN® Certified houses, we have dramatically been reducing our environmental footprint through reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
The chart above compares Sterling Homes Energy Efficiency to the building code. This data takes into consideration a variety of energy efficiency variables such as air tightness, insulation, HRV efficiency, ventilation, water efficiency, windows/doors, and more. In 2023, Sterling Homes were on average 18% better than building code!
Available BUILT GREEN® Certified Homes
A closer look at the BUILT GREEN® Canada Checklist:
The checklist used by BUILT GREEN® Canada covers the following key areas:
Building Envelope and Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is a vital part of the home build. From the layout of the floor plan to the selection of windows and doors, BUILT GREEN® Canada takes into account how to minimize wasted energy and how the home will perform over time.
They also work with Canada’s leading manufacturers of Energy Star® products to ensure that home builders use the most efficient products available on the market. As a result, these homes are built to be more comfortable and easier on the environment.
Resource Conservation via Sustainable Materials and Methods
BUILT GREEN® Canada helps individuals and businesses who are building new construction homes or renovating existing ones to do so in an ecologically responsible way. This includes using recycled materials, renewable energy, and water-efficient fixtures.
Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation
The air inside our homes is sometimes more polluted than the air outside, and poor indoor air quality can lead to headaches, dizziness, fatigue and other health problems. The good news is there are things we can do to improve the air quality in our homes. One of the best ways to do this is to use building materials that are low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are emitted as gases from certain solid or liquid materials, and they can contribute to poor air quality.
Fortunately, there are a number of building materials that are low in VOCs, and many of them are available through BUILT GREEN® Canada. By ensuring materials are low in VOCs, we can help to improve the air quality in BUILT GREEN® homes and create a healthier indoor environment.
Waste Management
One of the most effective ways to reduce waste in newly-built homes is to choose building materials which are durable and long-lasting.
For example, BUILT GREEN® Canada certified homes must meet stringent requirements for energy efficiency and water conservation. This means that not only will these homes use fewer resources over time, but they’ll also generate less waste.
In addition, BUILT GREEN® Canada certified homes are built using sustainable practices, such as using local materials and renewable energy. As a result, these homes have a smaller ecological footprint and create less waste throughout their lifetime.
Water Conservation
As the population grows and the demand for water increases, it’s becoming more important than ever to conserve water in our homes. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to do this, both during the construction process and once the home is built.
In this case, BUILT GREEN® Canada recommends using native plants in landscaping, as they require less water than exotic species. In addition, they recommend installing low-flow toilets, showerheads and faucets, as well as rain barrels or cisterns to collect rainwater for watering plants.
By taking such measures, we can significantly reduce our water usage and help to preserve this vital resource.
How do I apply for the Mortgage Rebate?
As well as saving on bills, by buying a BUILT GREEN® Canada certified home, you’re eligible for mortgage rebates; more specifically for a partial mortgage loan insurance premium refund. Homes certified BUILT GREEN® Platinum, or BUILT GREEN® Gold, OR have under 11.4 tonnes/year of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) qualify for a partial refund of 25% if you’re CMHC insured.
Learn more about these programs here:
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC): Eco Plus Program
- Sagen™: Energy-Efficient Housing Program
- Canada Guaranty Mortgage Insurance Company: Energy-Efficient Advantage Program
Take a look at the BUILT GREEN® Mortgage Insurance Rebate Calculator tool and see what you could be eligible for.
Additional Benefits of owning a BUILT GREEN® Certified Home:
A More Durable Home
Green homes are built to last longer and stand up better to the elements. That means they typically have a smaller carbon footprint over their lifetime than conventional homes, which is good news for the planet.
Increased Energy Efficiency
As mentioned, green built homes are more energy efficient. They typically use less energy than traditional homes, thanks to features like Energy Star appliances and lighting. This means you’ll be doing your part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and you may even be eligible for tax breaks or other incentives.
Greater Trust With Your Home Builder
When you choose a green-built home, you can be confident that the builder has taken into account the environment in every step of the construction process. BUILT GREEN® home builders are committed to creating homes that are healthy and sustainable. This peace of mind can be important when making one of the biggest decisions of your life.
A Healthier Environment
A green building helps to reduce the overall impact on the environment by using less energy and water, and by producing less waste. By its very nature, a green-built home has a smaller carbon footprint than a traditional home. They use less energy and water, and they generate less waste. In fact, the average green home has a carbon footprint that’s 20% to 30% smaller than a conventional home.
Higher Resale Value
Because green homes are in high demand, they often sell for more than traditional homes. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors, “homes that are certified green can sell for 9% more than similar non-certified homes.” So, if you’re looking for a home that will appreciate in value, a green-built home is a great option and it gives you the opportunity to recoup your investment down the road.
If you’re looking for a new home that is both beautiful and sustainable, look no further than Sterling Homes. Our partnership with BUILT GREEN® Canada means that we can offer our customers the best of both worlds: high-quality, energy-efficient homes which are also affordable.
The Details on Eco-Friendly Construction
When it comes to construction, more and more people are looking for eco-friendly options. There are a number of reasons for this shift, from concerns about the environment to the desire to save money on energy costs.
Eco friendly construction is a term used to describe building practices that are environmentally responsible. These practices can include using sustainable materials, incorporating green design features, and using energy-efficient construction methods.
What Makes a House Eco-Friendly?
There are many factors that can contribute to a home’s overall eco-friendliness. Sustainable materials like bamboo or recycled glass can be used in construction. Green design features like solar panels or rainwater harvesting systems can be incorporated. And energy-efficient construction methods like insulated concrete forms or passive solar design can be used to minimize the home’s impact on the environment.
How Do Eco-Friendly Houses Help the Environment?
By using sustainable materials, green design features, and energy-efficient construction methods, eco-friendly homes can help reduce the negative environmental impact of the construction industry. In addition, green homes can save homeowners money on their utility bills and help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
Sterling Homes is a proud member of BUILT GREEN® Canada, which means we’re committed to building homes that are eco-friendly and sustainable, and that meet all the criteria for BUILT GREEN® Certification. Our homes are designed with energy efficiency in mind, and we use sustainable materials throughout the construction process. We’re currently in the process of certifying many of our front-attached models with BUILT GREEN® Canada, with other models to follow shortly after.
If you’re looking for a home that will help reduce your environmental impact, Sterling Homes is definitely worth checking out. Give us a call today to learn more!
