The Durham Region Home Builders' Association has won the 2020 EnerQuality HBA of the Year Award.
The Association was recognized for their work on the OHBA Job Ready Program, its work in sustainable building practices as well as the virtual accommodations put in place to keep builders engaged through 2020.
On November 30th, 2021, EnerQuality recognized the lasting and positive impact that Canadian builders are making though their commitment to constructing energy-efficient homes.
2020 was a record year for certifying energy efficient homes, with this year's additions reaching a total of over 100,000 homes certified to date as delivering the benefits of the Energy Star label - built more than 15% better than the building code. Net Zero and Net Zero Ready homes are also contributing to steady growth in energy efficient buildings. In building energy efficient homes to established certifications - including Energy Star, EnerGuide and Net Zero, EnerQuality's community of builders has helped Ontario homeowners save $258 million in lifetime energy costs, reduce over 1 MT of CO2e, and shrink greenhouse gas emissions and overall environmental footprint.
The EnerQuality Awards also recognized the OHBA and EnerQuality teams on the 100th job placement in the OHBA Job Ready Program. The OHBA Job Ready program matches eager job seekers from underrepresented groups with starter jobs in the construction industry - jobs from general construction labour to pre-trades roles and office positions supporting builders, manufacturers and service companies. Employees receive basic safety training to introduce participants to a career in the construction industry.
“Ontario builders are committed to building better. Hiring job seekers with transferable skills who are eager to learn on the job is also part of building better,” says Monica Curtis, EnerQuality President and CEO. “By building more efficient homes and hiring a more representative workforce, the province’s construction industry is meeting the twin challenges of environmental sustainability and diversity and inclusion.”
In its second year as a virtual event, over 200 building professionals joined the event online, representing HBAs, municipalities, and over 100 companies, including home builders, architects, engineers, energy advisors, building officials, tradespeople, manufacturers, and product and service providers.
This year’s event featured the Innovation Gauntlet – an exciting pitch session where manufacturers present their new solutions to optimize the high-performance new construction and renovation industry — and attendees voted on the most innovative new solution.
“Builders are committed to building better and creating innovative, energy-efficient homes they are proud of, and homeowners seek out,” says Rose Benedetto, Managing Director of EnerQuality. “This drive is matched by the ability of leading manufacturers to anticipate the market direction, as shown by the finalists in the Innovation Gauntlet.”
The event draws nominations from across the building industry, with builders, licensed professionals, and energy advisors from over a dozen Ontario HBAs represented. The winners also show a cross-section of the building industry with newer builders alongside established, generational building companies.
“Increasingly, homeowners’ consciousness about their environmental footprint shapes their housing priorities. The EQ Awards showcase how the industry is building homes that use less energy, are more comfortable, with better indoor air quality and lower emissions overall,” says Ms. Curtis. “As the market shifts to focus on carbon, we expect to see even more builders certifying their homes and building better than code.”
2020 EQ Award Winners:
- Best Green Marketing: Terra View Homes
- Builder Achievement: Doug Tarry - Doug Tarry Ltd.
- Building Innovation – Low: Far Sight Homes – Beeton Creek
- Champion Of the Year: Marc Huminilowycz – Sideroad Communications
- Enbridge – Optimum Home: Mattamy Homes Canada
- Enbridge – Savings by Design (Affordable): Spotlight Developments Inc.
- Enbridge – Savings by Design (Commercial): Drewlo Holdings
- Enbridge – Savings by Design (Residential): Dietrich Homes
- Energy Advisor of The Year: Huso Ashimi – Building Knowledge Canada
- EnerQuality’s ENERGY STAR® For New Homes – Large Volume Builder: Activa
- EnerQuality’s ENERGY STAR® For New Homes – Mid Volume Builder: Huron Creek Developments
- EnerQuality’s ENERGY STAR® For New Homes – Small/Custom Builder: Terra View Homes
- Green Renovation Project of The Year: RND Construction Ltd. – Art Deco
- HBA of the Year: Durham Region HBA
- Impact Award: Tamarack Homes
- Industry Partner of the Year: Owens Corning Canada
- Industry Partner of the Year: Panasonic Canada
- Industry Partner of the Year: Mitsubishi Electric Heating & Cooling
- Leader of the Year: Susan Cudahy – Enbridge Gas Inc.
- Licensed Professional of The Year: Wil Beardmore – Bluewater Energy
- Net Zero Builder: Terra View Homes – Hart Village
- Ontario Green Builder of The Year – Low-Rise: Minto Communities Canada
- Ontario Green Builder of The Year – Mid/High-Rise: Doug Tarry Ltd.
- Product Innovation – Low-Rise (OBC Part 9): Panasonic Canada Inc. - Nanoe™ X Technology
- Product Innovation – High-Rise (OBC Part 3): SageGlass – SageGlass Harmony
- Rising Star Award: Austin Todd – Evergreen Building Science
- People’s Choice: Great Gulf
- Innovation Gauntlet: Panasonic Canada Inc. and Swidget Corporation - Panasonic and Swidget Smart Ventilation Solution
