An industry first for Calgary, the “green breaking” ceremony in late June announced the collaboration of Avalon Master Builder, Carma Developers, ATCO Gas, and Ener-West Geo-Energy Services Inc. to take a green giant leap from single-family test homes, to a group of 40 Built GreenTM single-family homes in McKenzie Towne’s Elgin Village in Calgary’s southeast.

Since 2002, the series of one Discovery house per year by Avalon has allowed them to learn from and perfect their unique airtight envelope process for energy conservation. “We focus on the windows and walls. It may not be the sexy part of green building, but it’s not worth it to invest in a costly geothermal or solar panel system if the air just leaks out, similar to serving fine champagne in a leaky paper cup,” says Ryan Scott, CEO of Avalon Master Builder. “We want to have the best house before we put renewable technology systems into it.”

Framing walls receive an extra third of batt insulation and inch-and-a-half of polystyrene on outside walls and into the foundation. The slab and foundation are also insulated far beyond industry standards, while energy-efficient windows won’t be letting unwanted cold or heat either  in or out.

Fresh air from outdoors will replace indoor air through a separately-ducted active Heat Return Ventilator (HRV), designed and sized for individual rooms, allowing the exterior air to pass the inside—cooling it in the summer and warming it up in the winter—reducing energy needed for temperature adjustment. Water-saving specifications include low-pressure faucets and showers, Eco Quantum dual-flush toilets and even a rain barrel for garden use.

Ener-West will be designing and installing the geothermal loop that transfers heat to and from geothermal boreholes deep below each home. With a heat pump similar to one found in a regular refrigerator, the entire heating or cooling needs of the household will be supplied year round. Solar thermal collectors mounted on the roofs will transfer heat to storage tanks for a portion of the home’s hot water needs. Natural gas from ATCO Gas will cover any additional hot water requirements or power household appliances, barbecues and fireplaces.

ATCO has partnered with Ener-West to provide long-term support as part of its commitment to renewable energy solutions in Alberta. ATCO will own, operate, maintain and service the energy systems for a monthly fee matching energy costs of neighbouring households with traditional energy services. Emerge homeowners avoid the up-front costs of the alternative energy systems and end up with homes which are more environmentally friendly, structurally sound, and contain healthier air quality.

With all the state-of-the-art technology going into this project, you may forget the houses themselves are aimed to “appeal to stylish, forward-thinking consumers,” claims Scott. It’s not all heat pumps and hoses. Avalon’s bread and butter for the last 25 years has been creating homes people want to live in. Exterior finishes will be chosen to complement existing village themes already established in McKenzie Towne, with wood or stone composite detailing. Avalon intends to outfit interiors with warm, organic feeling materials and plenty of natural light.

The homes should please buyers' aesthetic sense as much as their conscious decision to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As “near NetZero” structures, Emerge homes will produce almost enough energy annually to offset that purchased from the grid.

The 40 houses are expected to be between 1,200 and 1,800 square-feet, with a minimum of three bedrooms and a rear-detached garage each. Blending with the neo-traditional features of McKenzie Towne, but also incorporating modern design features throughout, pre-planned layouts—including three two-storey, one bi-level, and one bungalow—will be available for homebuyers to review.

Avalon chose Elgin Village for its like-minded approach to living green and David Allen, Carma Developers’ vice-president of Calgary Land South, says they are thrilled to have the project  in the community. “It’s the logical next chapter in community development,” says Allen. “This is not just one test home, but an example of sustainable living becoming the mainstream of new communities.”

 It’s a very revolutionary venture just as the community of  McKenzie Towne was when it launched in 1994, but Scott has “found the right mix of people to take leadership positions in their field to move this project forward.”

Emerge show homes are expected to open in January 2009 and the community’s addresses are slated to be ready for the market in the months after that. NL