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OVERVIEW

Elements, by Lifestyle Homes, is the most comprehensive and flexible environmentally sustainable home building program in Canada today. Elements’ standards exceed those of the Canadian Built Green certification program and the program offers home buyers the opportunity to build their dream home with the environment in mind. Elements uses the latest environmentally sustainable technology and home building practices, and the program creates eco-friendly living without sacrificing style and design.  

The Elements home building program focuses on four areas: water, air, earth and energy.  Unique to the home building industry, Elements is accessible to most home owners because Lifestyle Homes have developed a flexible package approach within each element that allows buyers to build to their budget.

This comprehensive and flexible approach makes Elements the first building program of its kind in Canada and the result is homes built with alternative power sources, innovative interior design and environmentally sustainable materials. Available in all current models of Lifestyle Homes, Elements provides practical and cost effective sustainability in four areas.

WATER:

From insulating hot water lines, using tap timers and eaves trough and rain barrel conversion kits, Elements provides an affordable and practical approach to using water wisely. The scalable approached offered by Elements allows upgrades that give the home owner further initiatives like dual flush toilets, re-circulated hot water and xeriscaping concept plans to reduce water usage for landscaping. A full upgrade provides a complete grey water system that re-uses many sources of household water and will be available as soon as Municipal approval is granted for grey water systems. 

AIR:

Improved air quality is a priority for Lifestyle Homes and Elements provides UV light treatment in the ductwork to kill bacteria, a built-in HEPA filter in the ventilation system and a steam humidifier for the optimum moisture level. Further upgrades include a sensor-controlled garage fan that removes harmful vehicle emissions and low-to-no volatile organic compounds (VOC) in linoleums and paint.

EARTH:

Earth packages revolve around reducing the use of natural resources. It includes insulation made from recycled products, Energy Star rated light fixtures and drain water heat recovery that preheats the water in the hot water tank using exiting drain water to reduce fuel consumption. All hardwood flooring is third party certified to ensure the manufacturer manages growth harvest and waste in a sustainable manner. Carpets are composed of recycled materials and 100 per cent of the interior paints are recycled. Building practices utilized during the construction of an Elements home result in only two pounds of waste per square foot of developed space.

ENERGY:
 
Using state-of-the-art technology, Elements utilizes practical solutions to reduce energy consumption in the home. A 96 per cent efficient furnace and 90 per cent efficient hot water tank are the first steps towards decreased energy usage. An infrared scan is used to ensure the home is properly insulated. Motion detectors are installed on interior light switches to reduce energy consumption from forgotten lights. Going high-tech, upgrades to the Elements energy package also offer geothermal heating and cooling systems and a solar thermal hot water system.

GREEN STANDARDS EXCEEDED

Regardless of which Element package is chosen by the home owner, all Elements homes include Energy Star rated windows, programmable thermostats, low-flow plumbing fixtures, insulated water lines and vacuum ductwork to remove contaminants prior to activating the heating system. Also included in every Elements home is a rough-in for a solar thermal heating system, wind power and a grey water system. All Elements homes will be Ener-guide certified prior to possession and the Elements’ program standards exceed those of the Canadian Built Green certification program.