Via Capitale in the forefront of sustainable housing

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Via Capitale

14 janv, 2014, 08:30 ET

Recognizing the Energy Rating of properties

MONTREAL, Jan. 14, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Via Capitale has published its report titled Vers une habitation durable (Towards Sustainable Housing). The report assesses the growing number of programs available in Quebec aimed at meeting the objectives and expectations of home-owners and buyers who attach great importance to the environment and to the overall ecological impact of a property they live in or are seeking to buy.

To help website visitors determine a home's ecological footprint, Via Capitale includes the Energy Rating along with other key information that could be displayed on the property's listing page at the Via Capitale or Art by Via Capitale websites.

"More and more Quebecers are becoming aware of the environmental impact of buildings and their use, so they're looking for sustainable homes that have a much lower environmental and economical impact over their life cycle," said Nicolas Ayotte, president and CEO of Via Capitale. "By highlighting the Energy Ratings of homes, we can better present properties that have been built and certified under programs like NOVOCLIMAT, LEED Canada for Homes, Greenglobe and Blanches, or have been renovated to meet the standards of programs like Rénoclimat or Rénovation Écohabitation."

There is a growing interest in sustainable and green homes because they provide healthy, comfortable living spaces and incorporate measures to reduce their ecological footprint.

Environmental impact is measured over the entire life cycle of a building, from the manufacture of the materials to construction, use by occupants, maintenance, repairs and renovations, and finally the end-of-life phase.

Due to our climate and lifestyle, the building sector accounts for 33% of total energy consumption, 50% of extracted natural resources, 25% of landfill waste, 35% of greenhouse gas emissions and 10% of particulate matter[1]. The years of occupancy of a home can represent up to 90% of the overall environmental impact during its life cycle.

Users of the Via Capitale web platforms www.viacapitalevendu.com and www.ArtViaCapitale.com can immediately see all the factors taken into account in calculating a property's Écohabitation Energy Rating by simply dragging their mouse over the rating shown on the property's listing page. Écohabitation is the Number One organization promoting green homes in Quebec.

To date, NOVOCLIMAT projects have contributed to the construction of 21,000 certified homes and 15,000 housing units in Quebec. There are also more than 200 LEED-certified housing units, and thousands more are being designed or built, thanks to the work of more than 1,000 LEED-accredited professionals in Quebec.

For more information, please see the two following documents on Via Capitale website, medias section:

www.viacapitale.com/medias/ViaCapitale_Habitation-Durable_01-07-2013.pdf

About Via Capitale

Via Capitale has been a leader in real estate in Quebec for more than 20 years. Its mission is to offer clients the best possible service by focusing on the human aspect, on professionalism and technology and on its network of more than 1300 brokers across the province. Via Capitale is a division of Brookfield Real Estate Services Inc., an income trust listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:BRE)

About Écohabitation

Écohabitation is a not-for-profit organization that fosters the emergence of housing that is healthy, resource- and energy-efficient, affordable, accessible to everyone, and above all sustainable. The organization undertakes promotional, awareness, training and advisory activities aimed at the general public, stakeholders in the housing sector and decision-makers. (www.ecohabitation.com)

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[1] According to a study conducted for Industry Canada: Analysis of the profitability of green buildings in Canada. Lucuik, 2005.

SOURCE: Via Capitale

Isabel St-Laurent
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
Via Capitale
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 514-998-7097
Office: 1 514-287-1818 x 307

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