Landmark Homes Win National SAM Award

WINNER OF THE TOP GREEN HOME AWARD BY THE CANADIAN HOME BUILDERS’ ASSOCIATION NATIONAL

The achievements of Canada’s leading home builders, renovators and developers were celebrated at the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) National Awards in Halifax on March 6, recognizing Canadian housing excellence. Among them was the coveted Green Home Award, this year won by Edmonton-based Landmark Homes—well-known for their innovation and leadership in sustainability.

The focus was a Net-Zero Lottery Home in the brand new Jagare Ridge neighbourhood in south Edmonton. The inspiration: an old world which meant an approach of recycled, reclaimed, and re-loved. “We included reclaimed wooden beams from an old farm house in rural Alberta and two living walls in the home, connecting nature and technology,” says Tanya Rumak, Sustainability and Public Relations Manager. “We wanted to use this house to show people they can have an energy efficient home without compromising design or style.”

This is precisely what they did—through special events with their team of solar, sustainability and net-zero specialists, as well as through their in-home educational signage, a helpful “What is Net-Zero?” handout, and an information video clip in the utility room.

This Net Zero house boasts an impressive EnerGuide rating of 95 and BUILT GREEN® Platinum certification—the latter looks at the house as a system, which includes the EnerGuide rating, as well as the preservation of natural resources, reduction of pollution, ventilation and air quality, and the improvement of home durability.

Indoor air quality is an important consideration when selecting a home, but some of the materials behind health benefits may be difficult to see. For this home, some of the materials include:

• Hardwood flooring used on the main and second floor that was factory finished with water-based stains that have low VOC emissions. Flooring materials are free of formaldehyde and isocyanates.
• Paint used throughout the home was also low VOC, while cabinets included finishes that were low VOC and formaldehyde free.
• An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) with MERV 12 filtration was installed to ensure that fresh, filtered air is always brought into the home.

In addition, reclaimed wood sourced from an Alberta farm were used as beams throughout the home, the hardwood floors are FSC certified, ensuring responsible harvesting of wood, Hardie plank siding was used to reduce the amount of PVC used in the home, and Caesarstone quartz countertops with up to 42% recycled material were installed.

Check out more green features in this home:

• R80 Ceiling insulation
• R44 wall insulation
• 14.72 kW solar array—the model of inverter used came with a Secure Power Supply, providing up to 1,500 W of daytime power, in the event of a grid outage (not battery backup)
• Urban cultivator—a modern indoor garden that fits under a kitchen countertop, allowing the homeowner to grow herbs and fresh greens year round and hassle free)
• LED lighting throughout
• Triple pane windows
• Drain water heat recovery
• High efficiency toilets, low-flow faucets and showerheads
• Cold climate air source heat pumps used for in-home heating and cooling
• Air source heat pump hot water tank
• Two living walls, one in the front entrance and one in the master bedroom ensuite
• Reclaimed wood features throughout the home
• Energy recovery ventilator
• Electric car charging station in the garage

For homebuyers in the region, it is important to note the builders committed to sustainability—and the benefits you enjoy—such as the award-winning builder, Landmark Homes.

If you would like to learn more about the BUILT GREEN® program and our participating builders, visit www.builtgreencanada.ca or call 780.485.0920.