New Homes: BILD's Green Policy
BILD pursues green initiatives
As the green movement gains momentum on a global scale, so are the local initiatives being implemented by the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD).
In a whirlwind fact-finding effort, BILD's new Green Committee has received presentations from some of Canada's top 'green' organizations. Among them is the Canada Green Building Council, the organization behind the program known as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED.
BILD's Committee has also heard from the Built Green Society of Canada. Based in Alberta, Built Green is the organization responsible for delivering the western Canada equivalent to our ENERGY STAR for new homes program.
Our Green Committee has also heard from the Toronto Atmospheric Fund, an organization established by City Council to combat global warming and improve air quality in the city, and studied the on-line home energy efficiency rating program established by the U.S. National Association of Home Builders.
The thing that has become crystal-clear through all of our fact-finding efforts is that labels are labels, and whether they are on your clothes, your food or your home, you need to know what’s behind them, what they stand for and what they mean (see Green Programs link). It is particularly important to understand that these labels have no regulatory status which is why BILD has articulated a specific policy statement addressing the matter of the National/Ontario Building Code vis a vis the various green labels. That policy can be found by clicking HERE.
More Green Initiatives
BILD has also entered into a training partnership with EnerQuality Corporation, the organization which operates the ENERGY STAR program here in Ontario. Together, we are offering builders' workshops that help fulfil the requirements of becoming an Energy Star builder.
The EnerGuide 80 workshop offers homebuilders and trade contractors the knowledge and tools they need to meet the pending Building Code requirements while the Energy Star workshop trains the sales and marketing staff to speak confidently about the features and benefits of ENERGY STAR.
BILD's Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Dupuis, says the demand for the EnerGuide 80 and ENRGY STAR seminars has been incredible. "We have found an almost insatiable thirst for green building knowledge," he said.
Meanwhile, BILD is walking its own talk by making the decision to have its offices powered by Bullfrog Power. All of Bullfrog's power comes from clean, emission-free sources like wind power and low-impact water power instead of carbon intensive sources like coal and oil.
The recent switch to green energy means the association will greatly reduce its total amount of greenhouse gas emissions. It's an easy, practical way to make a meaningful difference in creating a healthy environment.
"We're pleased to be working with BILD," said Bullfrog Power president Tom Heintzman. "They are part of a growing trend of companies making an effort to be socially responsible."
BILD has also gone "off the bottle" by installing a Homespring water filtrations unit and chiller, effectively eliminating plastic water bottle servings all together.
BILD's plan is to move forward with the mandate of promoting sustainable development and green building practices, and to educate and motivate its members in these areas. Many companies have already raised the bar on green initiatives. We congratulate Tridel (in the high-rise sector) and Berkshire Homes (in the low-rise sector) on becoming the winners of BILD's newly established Green Builder of the Year awards only the second time the trophy has been given out.
"What I like about my association being involved (in green initiatives)," says Sean Mason, "is that the small individual steps will eventually have a large cumulative effect."
