Ontario’s first Net Zero Energy townhomes unveiled by Minto

The following is a press release.

Minto Communities Canada is proud to introduce the first Net Zero Energy (NZE) multi-family residential complex in Ontario. The block of four Minto Executive Townhomes is located in its Kanata community, Arcadia.

“This project addresses affordability in Net Zero Energy homes, bringing competitively priced NZE homes to the market,” stated Susan Murphy, Vice President of Land Development at Minto Communities Canada. “What was once only available in one-off, high performance custom homes is now more accessible to the average consumer.”

Built as part of a Canada-wide Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) program, these four newly designed townhomes are projected to deliver a 65 per cent reduction in total home energy consumption. The townhomes compliment The Killarney Net Zero Show Home at Arcadia, which was a finalist for the 2016 Award of Distinction for the ‘most outstanding production built home’ by the Ontario Home Builders’ Association.

Minto’s Executive NZE Townhomes start at $352,900 and include many standard features you would expect in a single family home – spacious 9’ ceilings, open concept kitchens with islands, ample closet space, and some with mud rooms and laundry rooms on the second floor. But the Net Zero Energy Townhomes have also been designed with the ability to generate as much energy as a family would consume over a year.

Key features included in Minto’s Executive Townhomes include:

• Owens Corning CodeBord® Air Barrier System that will help retain warmth in colder seasons and protect against drafts

• Two extra inches of exterior insulation

• Triple pane high-performance windows

• Heat pump technology used for space and water heating

• Solar (PV) panels for electricity generation

• LED lighting

• A drain water heat recovery system

• High efficiency water fixtures

• An advanced energy monitoring system to keep homebuyers informed on their energy consumption.

Present to mark the unveiling was Karen McCrimmon, Member of Parliament for Kanata-Carleton and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Carr, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources. She was joined at the podium by Kevin Lee, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association.

“Net-zero energy homes demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency,” says MP Karen McCrimmon. “They are a viable way to create sustainable jobs, protect the environment and advance a clean-energy economy. Through sustained commitment and innovation, Minto Communities Canada is making it easier for Canadians to save energy, save money and reduce energy consumption.”

“These are the first townhouses in Canada to be labelled under the CHBA Net Zero Home Program,” commented Kevin Lee, Chief Executive Officer, CHBA. “They are a great example of Canadian homebuilders delivering quality and value for families across the country.”

“Investing in innovative energy-efficiency initiatives is key to the Government of Canada’s approach for growing the economy and protecting the environment. These net-zero energy townhomes are a great example of the kind of leadership and innovation we will continue to champion in the move toward achieving a low-carbon economy,” said the Honourable Jim Carr, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources