Ottawa-based builders have won three of 16 trophies at the 2018 EnerQuality awards, which celebrate energy-efficient home building.
RND Construction, The Minto Group and Tamarack Homes all took top honours in a variety of categories during the Thursday night gala in Vaughan.
R-2000 winner
RND, a frequent winner for green building at these and other awards, took home the trophy for R-2000 Home Builder of the Year. The company won the same award in 2015.
The company was also a finalist in the Building Innovation Low Rise and Best Green Marketing Campaign categories.
“To win across the province is very tough because there are a lot of big builders,” said Roy Nandram, president of RND, which specializes in custom homes, smaller developments, and renovations.
An R-2000 home is at least 50 per cent above the building code in energy efficiency. “We’re building not only to R-2000 but above and beyond,” said Nandram.
Large builder award
The Minto Group won the award for Energy Star for New Homes Builder of the Year (large volume). Minto was also a finalist for Ontario Green Builder of the Year.
Like RND, Minto is a frequent prize winner. The company won this same award in 2014 and again last year.
Energy Star champion
Also on the winner’s list: Jacqueline Collier from Tamarack Homes. She captured the Energy Star Champion of the Year award, beating out five other finalists. The prize is given for contribution to a builders’ energy efficiency and/or green building practices.
“I was so pleased,” said Collier, who was also a finalist in the Builder Achievement category. “There are more and more women being recognized in our industry.
“I didn’t think I was going to win – I had to do a double take. I danced my way to the front of the room, Ellen DeGeneres style.”
Tamarack is a previous winner of the Energy Star for New Homes Builder of the Year award (mid-volume builder).
Ottawa’s Richcraft Homes and Urbandale Construction were both finalists for this year’s awards, which are part of EnerQuality’s annual Housing Innovation Forum.
EnerQuality certifies energy-efficient homes in Canada, including Energy Star construction. The organization has been giving various awards for two decades.
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