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Modular Home Insights | July 4th, 2020

Why Modular Homes Are The Future of Green Housing

If there were a way to build your dream home while significantly reducing your environmental footprint, would you take it?

Shockingly, the homebuilding industry contributes significantly to environmental issues. According to the Green Building Resource Centre, a “typically built” 1700 square foot wood frame house requires the equivalent of clear cutting one acre of forest. Source: http://www.globalgreen.org/

Imagine just one neighbourhood with twenty, 1700 sq.ft homes, or an entire city filled with them.

Insert a new, modern method of construction: modular housing.

What is a modular home?

Simply put – a modular home is one that’s built off-site in a factory like setting. It’s important to note that modular homes are not mobile homes. 

All our homes are precision built inside a state of the art, climate controlled manufacturing facility.

Modular construction methods not only ensure precision production, but we also have rigid quality controls and dramatically reduced construction time. Even better, the speed of production enables us to reduce the total project duration, which reduces your financial risk, site management costs and professional fees. Modular construction is modern, innovative and a smarter way to build.

Learn About The Modular Advantage

Just how green is modular housing?

There are many environmental benefits with modular construction. Prefabricated and modular construction methods, in comparison, are actually very green and sustainable. Sheri Koones, author of the book Prefabulous and Almost Off the Grid, was recently interviewed for an article in the Edmonton Journal and she stated, “Prefab homes are much more efficient and environmentally friendly. There is so much less waste in the manufacturing process. Any excess materials can be recycled into other homes and sent back to the manufacturer instead of ending up in the dumpster.” Source: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/; http://www.sherikoones.com/

Photo above left – Debris in a typical site built subdivision. An average ‘site built’ home requires the equivalent of clear cutting one acre of forest. Photo above right – Modular construction, with precision building techniques generates very little waste. What waste is generated is easily recycled.

Read More About Green Initiatives

 

Reduced Emissions

U of A civil and environmental engineering professor Mohamed Al-Hussein analyzed the CO2 impact of modular versus conventional construction on-site construction from all the material, trucks and people coming and going to the job site every day. His conclusion stated “In summary, modular construction compared to on-site construction results in a scheduling savings of 55% and a 43% reduction in CO2 emissions”. Source: Modular Housing Association, Prairie Provinces|

In his article, Modular Homes are Naturally Green and Sustainable, John Connell – Design Director at Connor Homes states “To suggest that prefab homes are green simply because they reduce waste is like saying insulation is a great way to reduce noise – it’s only the proverbial tip of the iceberg!”

An Environmentally Sound Choice. This modern and efficient building process is a great way to practice responsibility toward the environment. Modular buildings are about 85% complete at delivery, eliminating vehicles coming and going to the job site with deliveries of materials. Modular construction results in a 43% reduction in CO2 emissions. Ready Study.

Waste Reduction

Manufacturing facilities also keep waste to a minimum by ordering their materials to exact fitment requirements. The waste that is created is about 50-70% less than when a building is constructed onsite and it is readily recycled.

Energy Efficiency

Insulation

We have standard R60 Ceiling (Flat Ceiling), R40 Flooring and R22 Wall insulation in all of our homes. We’ve put this feature in place now, so you don’t have to spend thousands retrofitting your home at a later date. This extraordinary package keeps you warm throughout our harsh winter climate while keeping money in your pocket.

Low E Argon Windows

These are another major energy efficient component to our homes. Low E Argon Windows are standard throughout our entire line-up of homes. For those looking to enhance the comfort and the R-value of their home to an even greater level, Triple Pane casement windows are an available option that merits strong consideration.

ENERGY STAR® Appliances

Major appliances consume up to 14% of the energy used in your home, according to Natural Resources Canada. To become ENERGY STAR® qualified, an appliance must not only meet Canada’s minimum standards for energy efficiency first, but also meet or exceed higher ENERGY STAR® technical specifications. Beautiful appliances with a limited impact on your pocket and the environment – that’s something to celebrate.

Heat recovery ventilation systems, LED lighting  and many more energy efficient standards can be found in our homes.

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