Parade of Homes featuring the best of new homes in Manitoba, Canada
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/1087907
POH is your TAKING THE NEXT STEPS IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY Green House? >> Manitoba's builders pride themselves on constructing some of the most energy- efficient homes in Canada. And they're already taking steps to ensure they'll be ready to meet new targets when changes are made to the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings in 2020 and 2022. The federal government plans to introduce more strict regulations in 2020, with incremental steps leading up to a Net-Zero Energy Ready (NZER) target by 2022. Net-zero energy buildings produce as much energy as they consume, while NZER buildings are able to meet net-zero standards with the addition of solar panels or other technologies. "Manitoba is really ahead of the curve when it comes to building energy-efficient homes," says Lanny McInnes, president and CEO of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association. "As we move forward on some of those code changes, I think our builders are going to be ready to meet that standard." McInnes expects to see a "step code," similar to the B.C. Energy Step Code. That code is voluntary and consists of five increasingly ambitious steps — Step 2 homes are built to be 10 per cent more efficient than required, while Step 4 homes are 40 per cent more efficient and Step 5 homes meet NZER requirements. "Our builders indicate that if that code was in place in Manitoba, the homes that they're building already would meet Step 4 out of five, where Step 5 is net-zero ready. Step 4 is not too far off and they indicate that that's the level that our homes are being built at right now," McInnes says. According to the National Research Council of Canada, powering our homes — running furnaces, air conditioners and appliances, and keeping the lights on — accounts for 17 per cent of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions. New energy codes are aimed at meeting emission-reduction goals set out in Canada's climate plan. While you'll find a greater variety of show homes during the Parade, with extended hours that are convenient for visiting multiple homes, show homes are open year-round. Many display homes are open at specified hours on weekends and weekday evenings, and they're also available for viewing by appointment. Visit the MHBA website at homebuilders.mb.ca to keep tabs on locations throughout the year. MANITOBA HOME BUILDERS' ASSOCIATION MEMBERS DON'T CLOSE UP SHOP AFTER THE PARADE OF HOMES. MANITOBA IS REALLY AHEAD OF THE CURVE WHEN IT COMES TO BUILDING ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOMES. On with the show HOW HOMEBUILDERS.MB.CA Parade of Homes Spring 2019 57