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Smart & Beautiful too Cont’d from page 14
Eco-conscious home buyers who are early adopters may push for Power Smart upgrades on their own, but while incentives will help to offset costs, Arlt says the program will still be an upsell for some. “But then it’s our job to educate the peo- ple,” he says. “We can say you can make these relatively simple changes and re- ally improve the efficiency of your home.” The most positive responses to the added upgrades at the Rose Lake Court show home have come from people who expect to live in their next home for many years and see energy efficiency as a good investment, he adds. “They love the idea that their bills are lower permanently. They love the fact that the house is going to be more com- fortable,” he says. “It’s behind the scenes but you’re investing in the right bones and infrastruc- ture so that it’s good for a long time. I mean even if someone decides to reno- vate this house in 20 or 30 years they’re never going to have to remove that exterior insulation — that’s always going to be there. So I think those kinds of touches add long-term value for sure.”
‘It’s behind the scenes but you’re investing in the right bones and infrastructure so that it’s good for a long time’
Save from the Start Manitoba Hydro is urging home builders and buyers to be Smart from the Start.
“On the performance side, the builder can choose how much better than code they want to be, with 20% as their minimum level,” Lund says. “Essentially, the licensed evaluator/advisor would take the build- ing plans and put all the specs into a software program to calcu- late the energy performance of that home.”
The Power Smart for New Homes program provides rebates as an in- centive to design and build homes that are at least 20% more energy efficient than homes built to Manitoba Building Code requirements.
“What we’re really trying to encourage through the program is for people — consum- ers and builders alike — to think about energy efficiency at the design stage,” says Manitoba Hydro marketing specialist Allison Lund.
Lund says it’s easier to incorporate energy efficiencies from the ground up than it is to retrofit a house, and she encourages home buyers to ask for Power Smart options in new homes.
‘There’s no question that energy prices will rise over time, so it’s a wise investment to make.’
“So early in the process think about what kind of holistic changes can be made so that the house works as a system to be more efficient, rather than including a one-off technology here and there, which is probably not the most effective way to lower the consumer’s energy bills and save energy in the province.” The program gives builders two options. Under the Prescriptive Path, they can meet the 20% target by incorporating 14 individual upgrades, including increased attic, basement and exterior insulation; triple-glaze low-e argon windows, low-flow shower heads, permanently wired car timers and a specified amount of LED lighting. The second option is the High Performance Path, which gives build- ers more flexibility to choose a range of innovative technologies, such as solar panels and ultra-efficient insulation systems. On this path, the builder would have to contract a licensed evaluator who would then use energy analysis and rating software to determine the level of ef- ficiencies achieved.
“It can come from the builder, and certain- ly that’s great when it does, but it can also come from the consumer. The consumer can say to the builder, ‘I’d like to live in a Power Smart Home,’ and we can work with the builder to ensure that happens.” Building Power Smart has a range of benefits, including reduced carbon emissions, increased comfort levels within the home and savings on energy costs during the entire life of the home. “There’s no question that energy prices will rise over time, so it’s a wise investment to make,” Lund says. Information about the Power Smart for New Homes program will be posted in two show homes during the Spring Parade of Homes: Foxridge Homes’show home at 44 East Plains Dr. in Sage Creek, and Arlt Homes’ show home at 137 Rose Lake Court in Bridgwater Trails. Learn more at hydro.mb.ca .
16 Parade of Homes Spring 2016
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