Many homeowners are making the choice to become more environmentally conscious and reduce their energy usage when building their new custom home in Winnipeg.
While it may have seemed like an added expense when you are contracting your home to be built, by choosing energy efficient fixtures and materials, the money you save in operating costs more than makes up for the initial investment.
(Source: https://efficiencymb.ca/about/ )
Construction of a new home can be an exciting time for you and the family. However, it’s important to make sure you’re as efficient as possible when building your new home to maximize savings on your utility bills. Especially given the weather fluctuations we experience in Winnipeg and Manitoba overall!
Efficiency Manitoba has a $1,200 rebate program for homeowners under The New Homes Program. Homeowners will receive an official certification from Efficiency Manitoba if these ten important upgrades are incorporated into their new home. Great news for buyers and new home builders in Winnipeg and surrounding areas!
Insulating Your Home
There are many factors that affect your home’s energy efficiency. One of the most important factors is how well your insulation works. R-value is the industry-standard measurement for calculating insulation performance. The higher the R-value, the greater its insulating efficiency.
Sources:
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/weatherize/insulation
https://www.homedepot.com/c/ab/insulation-r-values/9ba683603be9fa5395fab9091a9131f
Efficiency Manitoba requires these 4 R-values to be upgraded:
1. Attic insulation of R-58 effective
2. Exterior above grade wall insulation of R-17 effective
3. Basement insulation of R-18 effective
4. Header (rim joist) insulation of R-18 effective
Energy efficient insulation is vital to home comfort. The right insulation will provide you with better air flow, which means you don’t have to spend as much time and money heating and cooling your home throughout the year.
Triple Pane Windows
Efficiency Manitoba requires triple-pane windows, which have an additional pane of glass that creates a better insulating barrier. Compared to double-pane units, triple-pane windows allow less heat to escape from your home. This is of particular importance during cold Winnipeg winters.
Triple pane windows feature three panes of glass instead of the standard two, boosting energy efficiency and keeping your home warmer during the frigid cold months.
(Source: https://www.ecolinewindows.ca/triple-pane-windows-vs-double-pane-window-features-and-comparison/)
Heat Recovery Ventilator
High efficient heat recovery ventilation (HRV) rated SRE 65% or better at -25°C and HRV advanced controls are required by Efficiency Manitoba.
A heat-recovery ventilator (HRV) is a very efficient way to bring in fresh air into your home and to get rid of old air. These highly energy-efficient units move fresh air into the home while recovering some of the heat from the stale air before expelling it outdoors.
An advanced HRV control allows you to adjust your HRV’s settings to best suit your schedule and desired comfort level.
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LED Lighting Throughout Home
LEDs are an energy-efficient light source. Most of the electricity that they consume turns into light, not heat. Efficiency Manitoba requires this because they’re so efficient. LEDs can provide just as much light using a fraction of the power to operate.
The emergence of LED technology is dawning an era in which lighting systems can offer much more than just illumination. These newest additions to the world of home lighting will provide flexibility, durability, and style to upgrade your home and overhead lighting systems for years to come.
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Air Tightness
Efficiency Manitoba requires a tested air tightness of less than 1.5 air changes per hour (ACH) at 50 Pascal pressure.
Air leakage is the movement of air into or out of a home through gaps in the building envelop. Sealing attic access hatches, basement windows, and other openings reduce the amount of air that can escape.
Air leakage due to gaps around the windows and doors can play a large role in your home’s sound performance. A well-sealed envelope will help reduce noise from outside the home, creating a more comfortable indoor environment for your custom home in Winnipeg.
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Finally, Efficiency Manitoba also requires at least two (2) of the following upgrades:
• Attic hatch gaskets and anchors
• Exterior insulation at rim joist
• Thermally broken door sills
• Orientation optimized low-e window coatings
• Slab edge thermal break (minimum 1“ rigid insulation between footing and slab or 2” wide‚ skirt over footing detailed in drawings)
• Solar-ready trusses and wiring chase
Closing:
An energy-efficient Winnipeg home uses much less energy than the average house. This results in:
• Lower utility bills
• Lower maintenance costs
• Longer life of your heating and cooling equipment
• Reduced impact on the environment
A custom new home should be a place of welcome, peace and comfort. It should also be sustainable. With the growing concerns about energy consumption, pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and shrinking supplies of fossil fuels — not to mention growing awareness about climate change — having a home that is efficient, environmentally friendly and comfortable has never been more important.
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