Residents of two recently-built White Rock houses can expect their heating bills to be well below their neighbours.
Beachaus 1 and Beachaus 2 were awarded the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) platinum rated designation by the Canada Green Building Council last week.
“The homes are at the national forefront of quality and their example can help us all to live better by reducing our environmental footprint, cutting our utility bills and coming home to a healthier place to live,” said Mark Hutchinson, director of Green Building Programs for the council.
Platinum is the highest level of certification available in the LEED program. Only three other homes in the Lower Mainland have received it to date.
“It’s an honour,” said Dave deBruyn, president of InHaus Development, the White Rock-based company that designed and built both houses at 15611 and 15619 Columbia Columbia Ave.
“There are a growing number of homebuyers who are seeking high-quality homes that are smaller, smarter and less expensive to operate,” deBruyn said.
“It just makes sense.”
Owners of a LEED-certified home can usually expect to save 35 to 40 per cent on heating, cooling and utility costs.
To get LEED-certified, homes must undergo a testing process to get a home energy (EnerGuide) rating, and undergo onsite inspections during construction.
The two Beachaus houses are open-plan designs with floor‐to‐ceiling windows, private in‐home office space and iPad-controlled “smart home” automation.
Beachaus 1 has been sold, Beachaus 2 is still on the market.
