Reducing Environmental Footprint


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BUILD IT BETTER

Below are just some of the steps we take to minimize the environmental impact that your home and the construction process have on our environment.

Recycled content

Wherever possible we choose materials and products made from recycled content, reducing the need and energy required to extract new materials.

Recycled materials are resource efficient, produce less waste than typical products and usually have a long life cycle, meaning less maintenance overall.

Local materials

The use of local materials is encouraged, thereby reducing transportation energy and costs, and supporting the local economy.

Preserving natural beauty

Preserving mature trees and complimenting them with natural landscapes and native species requires less watering and attention while keeping the natural beauty around your home and in your community.

Water conservation

We’re constantly seeing out better, more innovative ways to reduce water usage. Some excellent ways to conserve water include:

LOW FLOW TOILETS

Flushing toilets accounts for 35% of household water usage. Low-flow toilets can significantly reduce flush volume in single family dwellings.

WATERLESS URINALS

These urinals are capable of saving thousands of litres of water per year and eliminating water and sewer costs normally incurred by toilets.

RESTRICTED FLOW SHOWER HEADS AND FAUCETS

Choosing these finishes can help  reduce water use by 20% to 40%.

RAIN AND SNOWMELT HARVESTING SYSTEMS

Collect rain and melted snow for gardens and other home usage, not to mention decrease your water bills. Harvesting systems can be simple rain barrels or an advanced rain collection system.

GREY WATER RECYCLING

Using “grey water” from showers, taps and toilets can save money on water bills, while helping the environment.

The City of Edmonton currently does not permit grey water recycling but we anticipate it will be available in the near future. A house can be made grey water ready with minimal time and effort.

Drain water heat recovery

Devices such as a ThermoDrain water heat recovery are encouraged. This device transfers energy from warm waste water to incoming cold water, which in turn supplies the hot water heater.

The best part is it consumes no energy, reduces carbon emissions, has no moving parts, and is maintenance-free.

Smart thermostats

Smart thermostats provide convenience, insight, and control within your home.

They give you control of home heating and cooling remotely through your smartphone and provide home energy use data that you can track and manage.

Over time time you can learn your temperature preferences and establish a schedule that adjusts to energy-saving temperatures when you’re asleep or away.

Energy-efficient appliances

Energy Star rated appliances are highly recommended. Household appliances, such as fridges, freezers, dishwashers and water coolers, account for up to 14% of the energy used in the average Canadian home.

Lighting

Window placement in your new home can be optimized for size and location to gain maximum natural light, reducing the demand for artificial lighting.

Thanks to impressive energy efficiency gains in lighting products over the past couple of years, household lighting remains at 4% of the energy used in the average Canadian home, despite an increase in the number of fixtures in homes.

As with appliances, Energy Star-certified lighting products have big benefits over standard ones. They are designed and rigorously tested to last longer, provide better light quality, offer better compatibility with other products, and have warrantees to back them up.

Another option is the Solatube Daylighting System, an advanced day lighting product. Leveraging breakthrough technology, design, and materials, it provides an abundance of pure, clear natural light for any interior spaces.

For more ways to decrease your environmental footprint, check out the following articles:

How Advancements in Renewable Energy Generation Are Already Benefiting Us at Home

Reduce Your AC Bill This Summer: Four Ways to Cool Your Home Without Using Power

Build It Better

Address

8819 92 St. NW
Edmonton, AB T6C 3P9

Phone

780.450.1399

Email

info@effecthomes.ca

Address

8819 92 St. NW
Edmonton, AB T6C 3P9

Phone

780.450.1399

Email

info@effecthomes.ca