Building Green Incentives in the District of North Vancouver

Building Green Incentives in the District of North Vancouver

The District of North Vancouver has a Green Building Strategy to support their emission reduction targets. This new strategy offers an incentive for homeowners and builders to construct with the environment top of mind. The incentive program "increases the maximum permitted floor space for single family residential buildings, meeting the building and energy performance baselines...The incentive increases commensurate with increasing energy performance."

For single family homes, the measure is 'Gold' under the Built Green™2011 checklist with a minimum performance rating of Energuide 80. To achieve the greatest allowable extra space the Energuide rating is 86. 

If you are a homeowner in the District of North Vancouver this means the better your home performs energy-wise, the greater the allowable additional floor space in a newly constructed home. Some homeowners have also made application for large renovations. There are numerous reasons to consider an energy efficient home: lower energy and water costs, improved indoor air quality, increased comfort and ventilation, decreased maintenance costs, lower environmental impact and greater resale value. 

The City of Vancouver is following suit in another way with the implementation of a "wide range of green building programs and policies" beginning with the Green Homes program. Under the program, new one and two family homes are required to include a number of sustainable features to help save energy, water and money while providing an improved indoor environment.  There's even a requirement for recharging of electric vehicles.

While the District of West Vancouver hasn't employed a similar strategy there are rebates for improving energy efficiency.  

Where is Blackfish in all this?

Well, we'd like to put a feather in our cap: Our Georgie and Built Green Award winning home achieved a Platinum rating achieving Energuide  87 and an ultra-low air change per hour of 1.3, making it one of the most energy efficient homes on the North Shore and in the lower mainland (BCHomesmag.com).

What's clear is that the environment is a top priority with all levels of government and future direction very apparent. Homeowners are increasingly considering the energy and water consumption/efficiency of their home.  

Not so long ago green building used to seem very "Jetsons". The future is now here!