The future of housing in Nova Scotia
When it comes to advanced building practices, Nova Scotia leads the way for innovation. This makes the Efficiency Nova Scotia Demonstration Homes project all the more exciting. With the tender out for builders to bid on the first Efficiency Nova Scotia Demonstration Home, a project of the Nova Scotia Home Builders’ Association (NSHBA) and Efficiency Nova Scotia Corporation, this will be sure to push the building envelope to even greater limits.
With an anticipated EnerGuide rating in the mid-90s, the Efficiency Nova Scotia Demonstration Homes will provide Nova Scotians the opportunity to learn how to incorporate new building techniques and products in their homes.
“As an association we are always looking for ways to help show the public how important it is to incorporate energy efficiency into the building process of their new home and not to wait until after the home is finished,” says Paul Pettipas, NSHBA chief executive officer. “This project allows us to show, rather than just tell people about the benefits of energy efficiency – this will definitely raise the bar for new home construction in Nova Scotia.”
Some of the highlights in terms of the home include: an EnerGuide rating in the mid-90s; an air infiltration rate of less than 1.0 air changes per hour; the use of renewable technologies; low VOC (volatile organic compounds) and low off gassing products; water saving features, TechReady five-star certified; home networking, energy management, lighting controls and home automation systems.
The first part of the program included a home design component and the winning design was awarded to Denim Homes. The builder for the home will be chosen in the first week of April and information about the house will be updated on a regular basis on www.demonstratonhomes.com or by phoning 450-5554 / 1-800-668-2001.
