Canada’s first residential development in which every house meets the requirements for top LEED certification is currently on its way to fruition. EnerWorks will be providing the solar thermal technology for this development, according to an announcement today. Rodeo Fine Homes plans to reduce household water use, water discharge, solid waste, greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, the goal being top platinum certification.

 

The EnerWorks solar water heating appliance will be installed in all 34 homes, providing more than half of homeowners’ yearly water heating needs. This is expected to lead to both real economic savings and environmental benefits.

 

“The home makes use of a geothermal system to meet its heating and cooling needs,” said EnerWorks CEO Ken Arnold. “EnerWorks provided the solar thermal technology which supplements the geothermal system, boosting efficiencies by providing reliable water heating as well as contributing to space heating.”

 

LEED certification has not yet been happened for Canadian residential developments, yet some Canadian homebuilders have participated in the American pilot of the residential certification. LEED certification awards points for water management, energy efficiency, construction waste management, use of environmentally friendly materials, and indoor air quality and sustainability. Platinum is the highest of the four levels of certification. For example, a home built recently by Reid’s Heritage Homes in Guelph, Ontario attained that level, scoring a 91.5 rating on the 100-point energy efficiency scale.

 

The eventual goal is building “net-zero” homes, or homes which produce as much energy as they use annually. Minto Homes, Empire Communities and Amedeo Barbini are among the developers that have reaped the benefits of EnerWorks’ solar thermal technology.