Page 39 - Biz X Magazine - June, 2014 Issue

BROUGHT TO YOU BY ask the experts Wishing Upon An “Energy Star” By Dave Halliday hile sitting at a dinner party recently with qualify each item has to pass the required tests not cheap; they just simply want to get the best Wfriends from the old neighbourhood, the to meet the ratings,” he replies. “For example an value for their dollar. As a result they seek out conversation turns to the rising cost of energy. Energy Star rated window will be subjected to the best they can get at a really good price no Everyone agrees that the brutal winter just stringent air infltration testing, it requires low matter what the item is. In this scenario we passed, was the worst they have experienced. emissivity ratings, incorporation of argon gas, design and build homes in a manner which will One by one they rattle of insanely high heating and use of super spacers for low levels of thermal stabilize and drastically reduce the monthly and electricity bill amounts. transfer.” bills that they pay.” He concludes, “We can even When they get to Daisy and you they ask, So what is incorporated into an “Energy eliminate their monthly bills by incorporating “So what kind of bills do you get in that fancy Star” rated home? “Everything from net zero concepts. Why wouldn’t someone sign new place of yours?” “I bet they are high in that the bathroom fan to the furnace must be up for that?” big house!” adds another as people chuckle. considered,” he indicates. “Low energy You are immediately more content in your Daisy replies, “Actually they are not bad consumption and high efciency components home. You always loved the place, but now that at all.” are required throughout. Te builder must pay you know it is literally saving you money and You chime in, “Te heating bill was never close attention to detail to ensure the house is the environment at the same time, you can’t more than $80 a month this winter.” sealed properly by doing so they minimize the imagine why every home isn’t built to the same Te revelation your energy costs and air infltration rate of the home.” standards. consumption were dramatically lower What would you say are the main benefts You are even further encouraged to learn than others remains a topic of interest and to the owner of an “Energy Star” rated home? that your builder incorporated components into speculation for the balance of the evening. “Tere are several,” he states. “One of the main your heating, cooling, and ventilation systems You recall the builder mentioning your home ones for those on fxed incomes is the steady which keep the place comfortable in all areas was being constructed to a higher standard. predictability of the energy costs. When I ask a while reducing your costs even further! Honestly, you were both more concerned with retiree in one of our homes how their bills were Sure you now realize your initial construction the types of counter tops back then to pay much over the last winter and they respond they were costs may have been slightly higher, but you attention. as low as $40 per month and didn’t fuctuate are content in the fact the savings realized will Once home you begin to poke around and at all, it makes me feel good about what I am easily ofset those costs within a few years. notice there is a lot of mention of “Energy Star” doing.” Even better than that, the quality, energy with respect to your furnace, air conditioning – Besides the obvious energy and cost savings, efcient components of your home and the keen well everything really! You are determined to are there ecological benefts to the “Energy attention to detail will continue to save you become educated and begin to research a little. Star” concepts? “Absolutely!” Klundert replies money that you can use elsewhere. Like new We at Biz X were fortunate enough to sit and continues, “It greatly reduces the carbon golf clubs! and discuss the matter with Ben Klundert, footprint of each user environmentally. When Unfortunately, Daisy has come to the same President of BK Cornerstone Design Build LTD the Kyoto Accord came out with all of its criteria realization and has ramped up her spending (356 Blake Street in Belle River; there was required change in much of industry. as well. Tere is new fatware, linens, small BKCornerstone.com). Ben is also the current “Energy Star” however, met the criteria the day appliances, and drapery on order. She has President of the Greater Windsor Home it came out.” things on order you can’t even identify, but Builders Association Inc. BK Cornerstone Certainly there are additional costs to you have insisted that whenever possible has been constructing quality homes for the constructing in this manner. How difcult they have the “Energy Star” rating in order to residents of Essex County for the past 27 years. is it to make the consumer see the beneft to save you money....hmmm, I wonder if they Exactly what is “Energy Star?” “Te best of these advanced building concepts? “People have considered developing an “Energy Star” the best is really the easiest way to defne it – to are value driven,” believes Klundert. “Tey are rated spouse! REAL ESTATE UNDERSTOOD. “Rest Assured With This Superb Sleep Supplier” Let us build you the proper support and comfort you need in a mattress. Enjoy the satisfaction of a custom-made mattress. The name behind a good night’s sleep JORDAN www.SilvesterSalesTeam.com DOUG Sales Representative Broker [email protected] Factory and Showroom 1519 Wyandotte St East, Windsor [email protected] www.MonarchMattress.com 519-252-8329 519-948-5300 1350 Provincial Rd , Windsor, ON BIZ X MAGAZINE • JUNE 2014 39 BizX2014June52.indd 39 2014-05-27 9:44 PM