As a leader in sustainable and innovative design, Minto will inspire you to live a healthier lifestyle while you benefit from energy- and resource-saving solutions that will reduce your monthly utility costs.
More specifically, every home Minto now builds is ENERGY STAR®-qualified – which will allow you to consume 25% less energy and water compared to a standard-built home.
Here are a few more details on how you can live a greener, more comfortable lifestyle in a new Minto home:
REDUCE ENERGY COSTS
By incorporating efficient lighting, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and double-pane low-e argon windows into your home, you will conserve natural resources and reduce costs. Your energy-efficient home saves on monthly utility bills and you can qualify for a rebate on mortgage insurance. (For rebate details, visit www.cmhc.ca or call 1-800-668-2642.)
BREATHE EASY
Features such as low VOC paints and an HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator) ensure you will reduce harmful chemicals and breathe clean fresh air.
ENJOY INNOVATION
Innovations such as an all-off switch connected to hard-wired lighting make living green easy in your new Minto home. Minto actively promotes leading-edge innovative technologies, researching and testing products before introducing them.
GREEN-CERTIFIED
A third-party organization verifies your home is green and we provide you with tools to maintain a greener lifestyle. While all Minto homes are ENERGY STAR®-qualified, upgrades are available to achieve LEED® certification.
Minto believes your home is more than your house: it’s the neighborhood you’re a part of, the community you belong to, and the world we all live in.
By living in a Minto home, you are not only supporting a healthier community, but also a healthier planet. And, of course, a healthier you.
Want to learn more about living greener?
Here are further details about specific green features in Minto homes:
Efficient Lighting
Your Minto home is equipped with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). These bulbs have up to 10 times longer life expectancy while consuming less than one-quarter of the energy of their incandescent counterparts.
All-Off Switch
Simple, convenient lighting control located at your front door. One flick turns off all fixed lighting and some electrical plugs.
Dual Flush Toilets
Toilets in your Minto home use dual flush technology that allows you to reduce your water consumption. A small flush is only 3 litres; a large flush is 6 litres – that of a conventional low-flush toilet.
Low Flow Shower
Specially designed showerheads have been installed to provide a comfortable shower while using up to 40% less water than a standard showerhead.
Low Flow Faucets
Plumbing fixtures that significantly reduce the amount of water released per use are labeled “low-flow,” saving water that usually goes down the drain.
ENERGY STAR®-Qualified Windows
Double-pane Low-E argon windows are designed to minimize the effects of the outside climate on the interior temperature. When they are used, the interior climate of a home can be maintained longer before the heater or air conditioning must kick in to readjust the temperature. Unlike traditional, single-pane windows, multi-paned windows provide additional protection against air leakage.
The main benefits of ENERGY STAR®-qualified windows are threefold:
• They lower energy bills while helping the environment: using less energy saves you money while reducing greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.
• They create a comfortable home: better protection from sun, cold and drafts will keep your home comfortable by controlling fluctuations in temperatures.
• They protect your valuables: low-e argon glass acts like sunscreen for your house by keeping out the summer heat and protecting your valuables from harmful ultraviolet light without noticeably reducing visible light.
Increased Insulation
Enhanced insulation in your roof, walls, ceiling (including garage), and basement floor improve comfort and provide a quiet home for you and your family. This green feature also allows you to conserve energy and lower your monthly utility costs.
HRV and Improved Air Circulation
Your home has been uniquely enhanced with a heat recovery ventilator (HRV). This unit efficiently circulates fresh, filtered outside air throughout your home for improved ventilation and living comfort.
Low Emitting Materials
Environmentally friendly underlays, hardwood, ceramic flooring and low toxicity paints are used and significantly reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air you breathe.
Drought tolerant Sod
Plants and grasses that are drought-tolerant can survive without supplemental water for weeks or even months, saving on water and maintenance.
Recycling
You can feel good knowing that a minimum of 75% of the construction waste from your home was diverted from the landfill.
Low Impact and Environmentally Friendly Products
Minto homes incorporate construction materials consisting of recycled content and products that are locally manufactured.
Green Certification
In addition to all Minto homes being ENERGY STAR®-qualified, upgrades are available to achieve LEED® certification. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a third-party certification offered by the Canada Green Building Council focused on sustainable building in the following five categories: Water, Energy, Site, Materials, and Indoor Air Quality.
