Solution

The long list of green features incorporated in the homes include solar assisted high efficiency hot water and space heating, FSC certified lumber and a rainwater harvesting system to supply water for toilets and irrigation.
 
Rodeo Fine Homes selected Icynene^® light density spray foam insulation due to its unique air-sealing capabilities and superior energy performance to help reduce the carbon footprint of these homes by minimizing the energy requirement and related greenhouse gas emissions.
 
The homes are super insulated to achieve maximum energy performance. In the model home, Icynene Licensed Dealer, Foamtech Insulation Limited, sprayed Icynene^® in the walls at 5.5 inches, providing an R-value of R-20 and in the garage ceiling (bonus room) at 11 inches, providing an R-value of R-40. Icynene^® was also sprayed on the underside of the cantilevered floors to provide even floor temperatures. The attic was sprayed with 3.5 inchesⁱ of Icynene^® at R-13 helping the homes achieve a tighter building envelope and creating an air barrier for a more energy efficient, healthy, and comfortable indoor environment.

Results

Rodeo Fine Homes not only met, but exceeded the performance requirements set forth by the town for these homes by incorporating cost effective insulation methods to save energy and reduce the environmental impact of the homes.

Third party energy modeling conducted on the model home indicates this home will use 74% less energy and reduce the total greenhouse gas emissions by 12.22 tonnes/yearⁱⁱ exceeding the targets set forth by the town of Newmarket.

Upon completion, this community will become Canada’s first LEED-Platinum designed community! Over 300 potential buyers have expressed interest in the homes and 13 of the 34 homes have already been sold at a pre-sale event.

Icynene^® contributed to tight construction due to its performance as an air barrier.

The blower door/ air leakage test was conducted on the model home before the vapour barrier or drywallⁱⁱⁱ was installed, yet the home surpassed ENERGY STAR^® and R-2000 requirements for air tightness.

There were four air leakage tests conducted on the model home. The first test was conducted before Icynene^® was installed on the attic floor and the second one after the fact. The results showed a drop in air leakage by more than one complete Air Change per Hour (ACH) from 2.73 ACH @ 50 Pa. to 1.40 ACH @ 50 Pa^iv.

Applying a skim coat of Icynene^® insulation and air barrier material on the attic floor allows for a significant reduction in ‘convective heat flow’ (or air leakage) – a source of 40% heat loss in homes.

The third air leakage test was conducted on the home after poly vapour barrier was applied to the exterior walls, which showed a 12% improvement at 1.23 ACH. A final test was conducted after drywall and taping, resulting in a further improvement of 19% at 1.00 ACH.

The LEED for Homes program is new in Canada and all the Ecologic Homes are part of an industry-leading case study project to set the highest standards for Canadian Buildings. Icynene^® qualifies for LEED credits in Energy & Atmosphere, Innovation & Design, Materials & Resources, and Indoor Environmental Quality credit areas.

“When the town of Newmarket presented us with an opportunity to build 60% more energy efficient homes with low environmental impact, we found it a perfect opportunity to build the greenest subdivision in Canada. With the use of solar power and Icynene^® spray foam insulation we not only achieved, but surpassed the town’s requirement. I think every new home should be built this way,” says Frank Mauro, Rodeo Fine Homes.

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For more information about Icynene^®-installed projects, visit our Project Gallery.