Despite the recent recession which had a negative effect on home buying all over, the developers of Evergreen Ridge in Rossland are optimistic at the outcome for their properties.
Dean Bulfone, who along with his brother are developing the subdivision, said that this was the worst recession since the great depression and it hasn’t been easy, but they are on track.
Bulfone said that what they are aiming to buzild is efficient, family-oriented housing with the hopes that will attract long-term residents to town, rather than only more seasonal oriented people.
On display in the development, is an EnerGuide 80 house that will be one of Rossland’s most efficient homes.
“We’re building the first Energuide 80 house for a client in the Trail and Rossland area,” Bulfone said.
He hopes that it will lead the way for others and meet the goals that Rossland has set out for in the Energy Diet.
The EnerGuide rating shows how efficient a house is and ranges from 0 to 100. A rating of 80-90 is deemed an “energy effiicient new house” by the Ministry of Natural Resources. Above 90, a house requires little or no purchased energy.
The EnerGuide 80 house in Evergreen Ridge includes technology like air-source heat pump, drainwater heat recovery system and solar glazing on windows which can be customized to the climate. Bulfone explained that for Rossland the windows are made to absorb heat so that not as much energy needs to be used on heating.
The houses that meet Energuide ratings in that range can save 30-50 per cent per year on energy costs.
