community focus//
EmpirE CommunitiEs
Named Ontario Green Builder of the Year for 2013
E
mpire Communities has been awarded Ontario Green Builder of the Year by EnerQuality for 2013. “We’re thrilled with this award,” says Paul Golini, executive vice-president of Empire Communities. “It’s a great tribute to our determination to design homes that set the standard for sustainable living.” EnerQuality’s Ontario Green Builder of the Year Award recognizes a builder that raises the bar for the rest of the industry through leadership in improving the environmental, energy efficiency and overall technical image of the industry and Empire is honoured to receive this coveted award. Empire was one of the first production builders in Ontario to adopt Energy Star as a standard in 2007– and its newest project, Mississauga’s Glow, is no exception. Scheduled to launch in April, each of Glow’s 54 new townhomes will be constructed to Energy Star standards. “As standard features, our homes include Green components such as whole home energy monitors, EnviroSense 90 per cent Thermal Efficiency water tanks, solar ready conduits, and more,” says Golini. “Not only does this reduce the homes’ carbon footprint, it also results in significant savings for our homeowners.”
IMAGINE
Imagine, Empire’s master-planned community in Niagara Falls, is taking sustainability to the next level. “We’ve introduced the power of renewable, eco-friendly geothermal technology to Imagine,” says Golini. Using the energy from the sun that is absorbed and retained by the earth, geothermal energy can save homeowners up to 80 per cent in total heating costs. Imagine’s geothermal
Imagine, Empire’s master-planned community in Niagara Falls, is taking sustainability to the next level. technology is a trail-blazing Green initiative for this masterplanned Niagara community. Imagine will also have a selection of other Green options for residents to choose from. One unique option is an electric car charger. Empire has installed an electric car charger at the Imagine sales office for visitors to see and use if they have their own electric car. The company has also installed car chargers at its head office in Vaughan for all employees and associates who drive electric cars. When new-home owners move into their home, Empire has a Green Team of experts that educate them on how their home runs efficiently, so the savings begin as soon as they move into their new home. They also provide a move-in gift for each new-home owner that is comprised of entirely environmentally friendly products. The most significant master-planned community ever launched in the Niagara Region, the vibrant homes of Imagine offer ideal living spaces for a variety of families, from empty nesters and retirees, to young families and second-home vacationers. The first residents of this successful community in Niagara moved into their new homes for Christmas and more are moving in weekly. Empire brings its commitment to sustainability to all its lowrise projects, including Wyndfield in Brantford, Summerlea in Binbrook, Victory in Upper Stoney Creek, Wyndance in Uxbridge, Riverland in Breslau, Lakeside in Brampton and its new project set to launch in Mississauga in April – Glow. SUSTAINABLE PARTNERShIPS
“At Empire, we are always working with trades and manufacturer partners to test and measure new, Green technologies in our homes,” says Golini. “The Ontario Green Builder of the Year Award is a testament to the success of these partnerships.” To learn more about Empire and its many Green communities, visit empirecommunities.com MARCH 15 - 29, 2014 | NEW HOME & CONDO GUIDE SWO 55