Thursday 19 January 2012

Discover the TAP program in London area

LEEP into TAP for new home builders
The home building associations of both London and St Thomas have announced how they are dealing with legislation dealing with building codes and home efficiencies.
The program is the next step in the Local Energy Efficiency Partnership (LEEP), a federal program launched in London in 2006 to encourage home builders and buyers to adopt the latest in energy-saving technology. 
There are -- in essence -- 10 model homes under construction which fill a number of requirements in what they are calling a TAP (Technology Adaption Pilot) program.
If you're thinking about building brand new, read this story from The London Free Press.

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New London homes have a green look
ENERGY CONSERVATION: London and St. Thomas builders constructing 10 homes with the latest innovations
By HANK DANISZEWSKI, The London Free Press
Last Updated: January 18, 2012 11:37pm
London home builders are ready to build the homes of tomorrow today.
A new home near Sunningdale Golf and Country Club was the setting Wednesday for home builders to showcase the latest innovations in energy conservation.
The Rembrandt Homes model includes features such as automated lighting and wiring systems suited for solar panels and plugging in electric vehicles.
The home is one of 10 Discovery model homes being built by London and St. Thomas builders as part of the Technology Adoption Pilot (TAP) Program.
The program is the next step in the Local Energy Efficiency Partnership (LEEP), a federal program launched in London in 2006 to encourage home builders and buyers to adopt the latest in energy-saving technology.
St. Thomas home builder Doug Tarry said the TAP program involved sorting through hundreds of new home energy conservation products to come up with 10 that were the most practical and cost-efficient for the current housing market.
"We want to get the existing technologies and get them introduced to a much broader market and raise the acceptance level with consumers so they become the norm," said Tarry, whose company is building three Discovery homes.
The St. Thomas Elgin Home Builders Association also made an announcement to showcase the Discovery homes in the community.
Tarry, also president of the Ontario Home Builders Association, said the energy-saving features not only save money, they create more usable living space.
"These homes are also quieter and more comfortable."
Toby Stolee, president-elect of the London Home Builders Association, said the 10 energy features selected for the TAP program were based on practicality and return on the upfront investment.
"People are always interested in green building technology, but it's the return on the dollar that wins in the end," said Stolee, director of the new homes division is of Sifton Homes.
About 40 Discovery homes are being built across Ontario.
"We have some of the most progressive builders in Canada. They are always leading edge," Stolee said.
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Ten TAP innovations
Advanced Framing
Advanced Windows
Automated lighting
Combined space and water waters
Heat Recovery Ventilators
Insulated concrete forms
Passive solar design
Plug-in ready garage
Solar Ready
Zoned Forced Air: system can split
: homes with wiring conduits and trusses geared to solar panel installation
: has wiring suitable for plugging in electric vehicles
: uses optimally positioned windows and awnings to naturally heat or cool a home
: used to pour concrete walls but remain in place to provide insulation
: provide continuous fresh air into the home and recover heat from outgoing air to heat incoming air
: save space by using a single heat source to heat the home and provide hot water
: automated switches that can be turned on and off by timer motion or sound.
: windows with glazing, frames and inert gas that reduce energy consumption
: reduces the amount of lumber and increases the surface area of insulation

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