New Built Green homes popular in Calgary

August 3, 2017

New homes registered to Built Green Canada standards saw a stronger uptake from Calgary and area builders this year than in the same time in 2016. In fact, starts of all types of new homes are trending higher this year in Alberta’s biggest city.
Between Jan. 1 and the end of June, enrolments through Built Green Canada soared by 60 per cent from companies building homes in Calgary, and surrounding areas such as Airdrie, Cochrane, Chestermere and Okotoks, compared to the same period in 2016.
Area builders signed up 642 homes, rising from 402 on the books a year ago.
The most active builders during this time were Jayman Built, Excel Homes, Partners Development Group, Empire Custom Homes, Sterling Homes, and Trico Homes.
Built Green Canada certifies homes based on a checklist that measures the methods and materials that went into its construction. The home’s ventilation, waste management, indoor air quality, and water conservation are weighted, as well. Homes can earn ratings of bronze, silver, gold, and platinum, which is the highest.
Built Green Canada is a national, industry-driven organization that works with home builders interested in sustainability practices. The organization offers programs for single family and multiple-unit housing. Built Green Canada offers its programs across the country; however, in Ontario, the programs are referred to as "Green Seal".
There were 5,525 total new housing starts in the Calgary area over the first six months of 2017, up from 3,860 in the same period a year earlier, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.