Frequently Asked Questions

Q – When many EE features are ‘invisible’, how can I tell if my new home actually has the EE features that you say are installed? For eg, how do I know you put insulation underneath the basement slab without excavating to that level to see for myself?

A – Ask New Leaf Homes or any builder you are working with for photos of the feature in question. These photos should have landmarks or date imprints that confirm the photos are indeed from your site.

Q – What is the payback period for a tankless hot water heater?

A - The more flow needed, the more efficient tankless hot water heaters become. Payback periods for THWHs run from 5.5 to 11 years in low-flow situations (68.8 gallons/day) to 3 to 7.5 years in high-flow situations (250 gallons/day). This range is dependent on what your municipality charges for water utility. Also, one must consider that Tankless Hot Water Heaters last 2 to 3 times longer than conventional hot water heaters, thereby saving replacement costs.

Q – Why would I want to have a tankless hot water heater?

A - Energy efficiency (hot water is delivered on demand, not kept hot 24/7), space savings, easy venting, endless hot water.

Q – What’s so great about bamboo?

A – Bamboo is harder than oak, more durable than maple and is not the end result of the death of a 100-year-old hardwood. Bamboo plants grow to maturity in 4-6 years and shoots are harvested over and over again without harming the parent plant. Colour is throughout the ‘wood’ (actually, bamboo is a grass) and is produced by heating, not through the application of harmful chemicals. Add an aluminum oxide wear layer and you have a great flooring product.

Q –I hear carpeting is not good for the environment.  Why does New Leaf Homes use it in their houses?

A - Traditional carpeting has not been a green product but manufacturers have come a long way in a short while, both by changing their processes and by marketing their already-green products.  Low-VOC carpets are becoming easier to purchase and the costs are within reach of most consumers.  Now we have to work on a cost-effective way to recycle the used product.!"

Q –Why do you use cork in your houses? 

A - Cork is sustainable in that it is harvested from cork oak trees that are not killed in the process but can continue to be harvested for up to 200 years.  It insulates, absorbs sounds, is comfortable to walk on and feels warm to the touch.

Q – When I go to resell my house, how will I recoup the extra money I paid to have a more energy efficient house?

A – At New Leaf Homes, we provide each new home owner with a comprehensive Homeowner’s Manual which includes such things as the detailed specifications for the house (showing information such as upgraded insulation and window energy efficiency), warranties, sub-trade lists, construction photos, operating instructions, maintenance information, etc. Prospective buyers will therefore have a good understanding of the quality that went into building your home. Also, as consumers become aware of the benefits of EE homes and the resulting lower energy bills, buyers will be seeking greener homes.

Q – I like black roofs. Why does your List of EE Minimums say that you won’t use dark exteriors or black roofs on your houses?

A – Black or very dark roofs are very stylish at the moment, however, dark-coloured home exteriors absorb 70% to 90% of the radiant energy from the sun that strikes the home's surfaces. Some of this absorbed energy is then transferred into your home by way of conduction, resulting in heat gain. As well, condensation may result and reduce effectiveness of insulation. In contrast, light-coloured surfaces effectively reflect most of the heat away from your home. Website: http://www.homemakingcottage.com/home/cooling_home.htm

Q – I see you put dual-flush toilets in your homes. I have a friend who put a brick in his toilet tank to reduce water-flow but it never worked very well. Do these toilets really work and how much water do you save?

A – First of all, putting a brick in a toilet tank doesn’t change the design of the toilet itself. It will not function properly without the 13 or 20 litres it needs. We use Caroma toilets and they do work. In fact, all new construction in Australia must use these toilets as Australia has a severe water shortage. Many communities have avoided upgrading their water treatment plant simply through incorporating dual-flush toilets and low-flow shower heads. Compared with the traditional 11 litre single flush tank, the 6/3 litre technology has the potential to reduce water usage by up to 67%.

Q - Why do you try to place less-used rooms on the north side of your homes?

A - Rooms on the north side of homes tend to be cooler in both the summer and winter than those on the south side. As many people enjoy cooler sleeping conditions we try to place bedrooms on the north side. This placement also reduces the number of windows on the north side thereby reducing heat loss.

Q – Why do you install ceiling fans?

A – Hot air has a tendency to collect in the highest areas of your home, not where you want it for either cooling or heating. In the winter, reverse the motor and operate the ceiling fan at low speed in the clockwise direction. This produces a gentle updraft which forces warm air near the ceiling down into the occupied space. In the summer use the ceiling fan in the counter-clockwise direction. The air flow produced creates a wind-chill effect making you feel cooler reducing your cooling bills. To keep energy costs down in the summer turn ceiling fans off when you leave the room.

Q – Why do you use programmable thermostats in your homes?

A – Programmable thermostats save energy and money on your utility bills as they can be programmed to lower the heat while you are sleeping or when no one is at home. When used properly they can reduce your utilities about $150 per year. The payback period is one year if you work outside your home.

Q – Why is it important to have 2-zone heating systems?

A – Efficiency can be significantly improved by only heating or cooling when occupants are present and by only heating/cooling to the exact desired temperature. Different desired temperatures can be set in each zone and can be turned down when not occupied. This type of system results in a dramatic reduction of energy consumption and operating costs.

Q – What is so great about hydronics?

A – Hydronic systems eliminate drafts as they heat objects-not air. Heat loss through ceilings and walls is reduced because warm air is kept at the floor where it is desired. Zoning a variety of rooms with options of different temperatures has the potential to reduce energy consumption. The system is quiet, clean, and invisible.

Q – What is an HRV system and why is it important?

A - The Heat Recovery Ventilation system provides a continuous stream of fresh, filtered outdoor air to all living areas of the home. Typically, an HRV system recovers 70 to 80 percent of the heat in exhaust air, ensuring that homeowners have fresh air and low energy bills. The tighter the building envelope, the more air exchanges need to be managed by an HRV system.

Q – Why do you upgrade windows on the south and west sides beyond Low – E?

A – Comfort TiR will substantially reduce solar heat gain in summer and reduce heat loss in winter. It also acts as an invisible reflector that maintains comfortable interior temperatures.

Q – Why do you seal the ducts in a forced air heating system?

A – It has been suggested that unsealed ductwork accounts for a 30% loss of pressure and warmth. This is air flow and heat that should be coming into the room where the register is located but is being lost and wasted in the floor space, attic or wherever the leakage occurs. If the duct system was perfectly designed and sealed, the same amount of air would enter the return grille and leave the supply registers. This is the ideal situation and sealing the duct joints goes a long way towards this goal .