Last Updated on March 8, 2022
Don’t Buy A Home Without Asking About These Top Energy Efficient Building Practices
1. ICF Foundations
Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) foundations are an alternative to the poured concrete foundations used by most builders. ICF foundations use a system of interlocking foam bricks that are filled with concrete and rebar to create a strong and well-insulated foundation.
Why do you need an ICF foundation?
An ICF foundation is an investment you make in your home to make it perform better for longer. It costs a little more, but it makes a big difference in the quality of a home.
ICF makes the basement much more comfortable, especially if you have a basement income suite. It also saves energy on heating and cooling, and is resistant to frost, mould, moisture, and cracks. The foundation of your home is the base for every other construction element, so it makes sense to put extra effort into making it secure.
Did you Know: ICF foundations are included in the construction of all of our Single Family homes!
Read More about ICF Foundations
2. Energuide Rating
The Energuide system is a third party performance rating system sanctioned by the Canadian Government. It provides a basis for comparing energy efficiency between homes, and helps homeowners estimate costs associated with operation.
Why do you need an Energuide rating?
Building a home that has your future in mind also means building a home that is environmentally responsible and energy efficient. An Energuide rating can help you understand how energy is consumed in your home, therefore showing you where you can improve efficiency. This can help you make decisions that minimize heating/cooling costs and wasted energy.
An Energuide rating can also be useful when you sell your home because homes that perform well are more desirable. A trusted third-party vetting of your home is attractive to potential buyers!
Did You Know: On average, Lincolnberg homes perform 16% better than a standard code-built home, which saves you money and reduces your environmental footprint.
Read More about Canada’s Energuide Program
3. Blower Door Test
A blower door test is essential to make sure your home is not leaking air. First, an entrance to the home is outfitted with a large fan to suck air out and depressurize the home. Then, evaluators are able to use tools such as coloured smoke, infrared cameras, and other sensors to see how fast air returns to the home and where the major leaks are.
Why do you need a blower door test?
Ensuring that your new home is airtight is a significant factor in increasing energy efficiency. A drafty room is more than just an inconvenience, and it can lead to higher heating bills. Drafts in the Alberta winter mean that cold air is coming in and warm air is getting out, so your furnace has to work harder to heat your home. The reverse is also true. If you have air conditioning, drafts impact your energy efficiency all year as your cold air escapes and warm air gets into your home.
4. HRV Systems
An HRV, or Heat Recovery Ventilator, is an advanced ventilation system that helps to regulate the air in your home. It acts as the “lungs’ of your home and minimizes heat waste through air exchanges.
HRV systems allow air that enters your home to pass by heated air as it ventilates out of your home. Separated by a barrier, the two airstreams never touch, but the incoming air is able to absorb some of the heat that would otherwise be lost. This means that less work has to be done to bring the new air up to indoor temperature.
Why do you need an HRV system?
An HRV system is very useful for homes in colder climates such as Alberta. Heating a home costs money, so it helps to have a ventilator that retains as much warmth as possible!
Your HRV system continuously replaces stale, stagnant air inside the home with fresh, filtered air from outside to ensure that the air you breathe is clean and temperature controlled. In the colder months, this means that excess moisture is removed and results in reduced condensation, fewer odours, and greater energy efficiency.
Did You Know: HRV systems are installed as standard items in our new builds!
5. Kaizen Philosophy
If you ask any Lincolnberg employee what they think our most important core value is, they will tell you that it is Kaizen, or continuous change for the better.
It is important to choose a builder that has a mentality of consistent growth and development, because allows for innovation in the home building process. Your builder should constantly reevaluate procedures, seek feedback, and anticipate changes in the market to stay ahead of the curve.
When it comes to your dream home, it is not enough to simply meet code. A good builder will do whatever they can to make a superior product that serves their clients well for years to come.
