Recognizing the Energy Rating of properties
MONTREAL, Jan. 14, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Via Capitale has published its
report titled Vers une habitation durable (Towards Sustainable Housing). The report assesses the growing number
of programs available in Quebec aimed at meeting the objectives and
expectations of home-owners and buyers who attach great importance to
the environment and to the overall ecological impact of a property they
live in or are seeking to buy.
To help website visitors determine a home's ecological footprint, Via
Capitale includes the Energy Rating along with other key information
that could be displayed on the property's listing page at the Via
Capitale or Art by Via Capitale websites.
"More and more Quebecers are becoming aware of the environmental impact
of buildings and their use, so they're looking for sustainable homes
that have a much lower environmental and economical impact over their
life cycle," said Nicolas Ayotte, president and CEO of Via Capitale.
"By highlighting the Energy Ratings of homes, we can better present
properties that have been built and certified under programs like
NOVOCLIMAT, LEED Canada for Homes, Greenglobe and Blanches, or have
been renovated to meet the standards of programs like Rénoclimat or
Rénovation Écohabitation."
There is a growing interest in sustainable and green homes because they
provide healthy, comfortable living spaces and incorporate measures to
reduce their ecological footprint.
Environmental impact is measured over the entire life cycle of a
building, from the manufacture of the materials to construction, use by
occupants, maintenance, repairs and renovations, and finally the
end-of-life phase.
Due to our climate and lifestyle, the building sector accounts for 33%
of total energy consumption, 50% of extracted natural resources, 25% of
landfill waste, 35% of greenhouse gas emissions and 10% of particulate
matter[1]. The years of occupancy of a home can represent up to 90% of the
overall environmental impact during its life cycle.
Users of the Via Capitale web platforms www.viacapitalevendu.com and www.ArtViaCapitale.com can immediately see all the factors taken into account in calculating a
property's Écohabitation Energy Rating by simply dragging their mouse over the rating shown on
the property's listing page. Écohabitation is the Number One organization promoting green homes in Quebec.
To date, NOVOCLIMAT projects have contributed to the construction of
21,000 certified homes and 15,000 housing units in Quebec. There are
also more than 200 LEED-certified housing units, and thousands more are
being designed or built, thanks to the work of more than 1,000
LEED-accredited professionals in Quebec.
For more information, please see the two following documents on Via
Capitale website, medias section:
www.viacapitale.com/medias/ViaCapitale_Habitation-Durable_01-07-2013.pdf
About Via Capitale
Via Capitale has been a leader in real estate in Quebec for more than 20
years. Its mission is to offer clients the best possible service by
focusing on the human aspect, on professionalism and technology and on
its network of more than 1300 brokers across the province. Via Capitale
is a division of Brookfield Real Estate Services Inc., an income trust
listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:BRE)
About Écohabitation
Écohabitation is a not-for-profit organization that fosters the
emergence of housing that is healthy, resource- and energy-efficient,
affordable, accessible to everyone, and above all sustainable.
The organization undertakes promotional, awareness, training and
advisory activities aimed at the general public, stakeholders in the
housing sector and decision-makers. (www.ecohabitation.com)
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[1] According to a study conducted for Industry Canada: Analysis of the profitability of green buildings in Canada. Lucuik, 2005.
SOURCE Via Capitale
