[getsmart-l] First solar powered ENERGY STAR® qualified home in Tillsonburg

[Media Release]

Emacs!

Emacs!



Media Release - Attention News/Assignment/Homes 
Editors and Reporters - Photos Available

First solar powered ENERGY STAR® qualified home in Tillsonburg

Gentrac Building Corporation announces all new 
homes built to ENERGY STAR® qualification with 
solar power and R-2000 upgrade options

(Tillsonburg, Canada, August 17, 2007)  Gentrac 
Building Corporation presented Tillsonburg's 
first SOLAR powered ENERGY STAR qualified home 
this afternoon.  Located in Wood Haven 
Subdivision at 4 Wood Haven Drive, the energy 
efficient home is equipped with a solar PV system 
which both generates electricity and acts as a backup power supply.

Speakers at the Gentrac Green Home unveiling 
included MP Dave MacKenzie (Oxford); MPP Ernie 
Hardeman (Oxford); Tillsonburg Mayor, Stephen 
Molnar; Deputy Mayor and Chairman of Tillsonburg 
Hydro Board of Directors, Mark Renaud; Michelle 
Cote of EnerQuality Corporation, which oversees 
the ENERGY STAR for New Homes initiative in 
Ontario; and Gentrac President John Gilvesy.

"Energy efficiency, and renewable energy provide 
Gentrac homeowners with reduced operating costs 
and healthier, more comfortable homes," said Mr. 
Gilvesy.  "I'm very pleased to announce that all 
new Gentrac homes at Wood Haven Subdivision will 
be energy efficient with ENERGY STAR 
qualification, and homebuyers will have upgrade 
options which include solar power, and R-2000 certification."

In a congratulatory letter to Mr. Gilvesy, 
Ontario's Chief Energy Conservation Officer, 
Peter Love, said the solar powered ENERGY STAR 
qualified home was,  "
at the leading edge of new home construction."

Every ENERGY STAR qualified home is performance 
tested, third party verified and government 
backed to ensure it is energy-efficient.  Through 
improved construction techniques, more 
insulation, better heating and air solutions, as 
well as energy-efficient lighting and appliances, 
they are approximately 30% more energy-efficient 
than those built to minimum Ontario building code 
requirements.  As a result, they are more 
environmentally friendly, reducing greenhouse gas 
emissions by up to 3 tonnes a year.

The solar electric generation system was provided 
by the R.E. Source Store in London, with support 
from Tillsonburg Hydro.  The system consists of a 
785 watt "Sanyo" solar array mounted on the roof 
with the balance of components in the 
basement.  The system is "grid-tied" for the 
purpose of net metering with Tillsonburg Hydro, 
but does have back-up power capacity on selected 
circuits for up to three days thanks to the 
"Carmanah" back-up power unit.  For more 
information on this system, go to www.theresourcestore.ca.

"It's essential for homes with renewable energy 
systems to be highly energy efficient, to prevent 
all of the renewable energy generated from going 
out the window," said Ms. Cote.  "Gentrac is to 
be commended for their leadership in providing 
green homes, benefiting their customers and our environment."

The 1,530 sq. ft. Merlot Model Green Home 
unveiled today also features 9 ft. ceilings, 
hardwood and ceramic flooring throughout, granite 
counter tops and cove mouldings, among other luxury features.

The head office is located at 18 Harvey Street in 
Tillsonburg.  Call 519-842-9090 for more 
information or see www.gentrachomes.com.

-30-

For information, photos, or to arrange 
interviews, contact e|c|o at 416-972-7401, kulbab at huffstrategy.com

Emacs!


ENERGY STAR® for New Homes is a label given to 
homes that meet balanced, whole-house 
energy-efficiency standards, guaranteeing their 
owners significant energy savings. New homes that 
receive the ENERGY STAR label are approximately 
30 percent more energy-efficient than those built 
to the minimum Ontario building code standards. 
The ENERGY STAR mark, used with permission, is 
administered and promoted in Canada by Natural Resources Canada.
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