LEED® and what it all means to you

Value

Leadership in Energy Efficiency and Design (LEED®) is an internationally recognized rating system in which points are awarded for environmentally friendly building characteristics in 5 key areas: sustainable site development, water efficiency, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.

Energy Savings

“The average LEED certified building uses 32% less electricity.”

The energy saving features integrated into the building/suites at City Centre include:

High efficiency Heat Pump heating system for reduced energy consumption, non-ozone depleting cooling systems and lower emissions.

Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERV) capture heat that is typically lost from exhaust air and uses it to warm incoming cool air, reducing heating costs.

High performance thermally separated aluminum window frames with Low-E coating, argon gas filled and double pane sealed glazing units with operable awning windows to fill the room with natural light.

Individual suite metering for hydro consumption.

Convenient “All-off-Switch” for simple in-suite lighting control; just one flick turns off all fixed lighting.

Fully programmable thermostat allows you to set the temperature in your suite to your comfort level when you are home and adjusts for increased energy savings when you’re out of the suite.

“Appliances can account for nearly 20 percent of the average household’s energy use”.

ENERGY STAR appliances are standard in every suite at City Centre and include a stainless steel refrigerator and dishwasher and a front loading washing machine.

“Energy Star Qualified Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFL’s) use about 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs, last up to 10 times longer and produce about 75% less heat, which can cut energy costs associated with home cooling.”

Each of the suite’s electrical fixtures in City Centre will only accept Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs ensuring that the lighting remains energy efficient into the future.

Highly reflective rooftop membranes to reduce heat gain in the summer and reduce the stress on air conditioning systems.

Higher energy efficient building envelope to aid in the reduction of heating and cooling costs.

Carbon monoxide detection system in the underground garage to control usage of exhaust fans

Water Conservation

“In Canada, billions of gallons of fresh water are withdrawn per day from rivers, lakes, reservoirs and aquifers in support of human activities. Typical residential indoor water use is comprised of 35% for bathing and showering, 30% for toilets usage, 20% for laundry 10% for cooking and drinking and 5% miscellaneous use. A single lawn sprinkler spraying 19 litres per minute uses more water in just one hour than a combination of ten toilet flushes, two 5-minute showers, two dishwasher loads, and a full load of clothes.”

In order to contribute to decreased in-suite and common area water consumption and keep common expenses reduced, City Centre has been designed with:

Low Flow Shower Heads which are specially designed “to provide a comfortable shower while using up to 25% less water than a standard showerhead”.

Dual Flush Toilets “allow you to reduce your water consumption by over 32% A small flush of only 3 litres uses ½ of a conventional low flush toilet while the large flush is a conventional 6 litres”.

Reduced flow aerators in all bathroom and kitchen faucets.

Indoor Environmental Quality

“North Americans spend an average of 90% of their time indoors where levels of pollutants may be two to five times higher than outdoor levels.”

To improve indoor air quality, City Centre incorporates the use of:

Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERV) to filter outside air and deliver it directly from the exterior through the ERV rather than being fed from corridor air from under the entry door as is the case in a typical condominium.

Low emitting materials (LOW VOC) such as ceramic flooring and low toxicity paints.