Del Ridge Homes Planting 140,000 Trees in Partnership with Forests Ontario

~New, Unprecedented GreenLife Woods Initiative a Natural Extension of Del Ridge's Longstanding Commitment to Smaller Carbon Footprint and Reduced Energy Consumption~

MARKHAM, ON, April 21, 2016 /CNW/ - Del Ridge Homes and Forests Ontario are joining forces to plant more than 140,000 trees, in order to more than offset the energy and carbon footprint of the just launched GreenLife East Markham I and II (GEM I and II) Net Zero condominium project.

Del Ridge Homes is also committed to doing plantings on a similar scale for any future projects in order to offset the carbon footprint in these communities. It's all part of the builder's visionary GreenLife Woods program, the first of its kind in Ontario. "This really is an unprecedented initiative on the part of an Ontario builder," says Rob Keen, Forests Ontario CEO. "In fact, it's one of the most ambitious planting programs by a builder anywhere in Canada or the United States, to our knowledge."

"Homes are a major contributor to Canada's greenhouse gases. So as builders and developers, we are ideally positioned to reduce our carbon footprint by taking the right measures," observes Dave de Sylva, co-founder of Del Ridge Homes.  "Which is why we're so committed to building developments with Net Zero energy consumption and zero carbon emissions. We genuinely care about building homes in an environmentally responsible way. So by planting what will amount to 100's of thousands of trees over the coming years and by only building Net Zero now and in the future, we're putting words into action."

In the case of GEM the operating costs will be approximately 1/5^th of a similar project built to code. And by harnessing an array of solutions designed to dramatically reduce energy consumption while generating energy both on and off site, GEM will produce as much energy as it consumes – making it Del Ridge's sixth residential Net Zero project (four residential buildings and two commercial). Apart from the sense of pride that comes from living in a more environmentally friendly community, the 'net effect' for owners will be significantly lower condo fees and operating costs, saving them thousands of dollars annually.*

*Note: GreenLife condo fees and utility charges on average for a 1,000 sq. ft. condo compared to a condo of the same size built to Ontario's current building translates into estimated savings of $6,800/year and $170,000 over the life of a mortgage. This amount can vary, depending on owner energy consumption habits.

From Forests Ontario's perspective, Del Ridge's tree plantings through the GreenLife Woods program will yield multiple benefits. "Beyond offsetting emissions, the trees planted through the GreenLife Woods program will increase Forests cover across the province, providing all Ontarians with cleaner air and water, shade, and recreational spaces," says Keen. "Del Ridge is also setting the bar high for not just other builders, but other corporate citizens to undertake similar initiatives."

Apart from the tree plantings to offset the initial energy needed to build GEM II, key features of the condominium project include:

• Geothermal Heating and Cooling (four times more energy efficient than high efficiency gas furnaces)
• Onsite Generation of Electricity using Solar PV Arrays and Solar Street Lighting
• Offsite Generation of Electricity harnessed from Remote Wind Turbine Facilities.
• Highly Insulated Building Envelope (R80 roof and R45 wall insulation compared to R20 and R5 Ontario Building code respectively; Triple Glazed R9 windows vs. R2.5 code)
• Extensive use of LED lighting
• Recapturing heat produced by onsite transformers

About Del Ridge Homes 
Principals Dave De Sylva and George Le Donne of Del Ridge Homes have over a quarter century of building energy efficient homes. The company's success is showcased across the GTA in a variety of successful and desirable communities, including Ajax, Burlington, Mississauga, Vaughan, Markham and Milton. GreenLife East Markham is Del Ridge Homes' newest project, two eight-storey Net Zero condominium buildings consisting of 442 units that range in size from 700 to 1,245 sq. ft. Other Del Ridge Homes Net Zero projects include: GreenLife Main Street, GreenLife Midtown Markham, GreenLife Golden Markham and GreenLife West Side Milton, as well as the GreenLife Centre, a commercial building in Markham that also serves as the head office for Del Ridge Homes and GreenLife Business Centre in Milton. To learn more, go to www.delridgehomes.com, call 905-479-5448 or email [email protected]

About Forests Ontario
Forests Ontario is the voice for our Forests. Our mission is to foster a greener and healthier future for Ontario through large-scale forest restoration and management projects across the province. In addition, Forests Ontario delivers a wide range of educational and awareness initiatives to increase the public's appreciation and understanding of the social, economic, and ecological importance of forests. To learn more about our programs, visit www.Forestsontario.ca.

SOURCE Forests Ontario

Image with caption: "Forests Ontario and Del Ridge Homes plant the first of 140,000 trees as part of the GreenLife Woods initiative. From left: Shelley McKay (Director of Communications & Development, Forests Ontario), George Le Donne and Dave De Sylva (Principals, Del Ridge Homes), and Rob Keen (CEO, Forests Ontario) (CNW Group/Forests Ontario)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160421_C2053_PHOTO_EN_672176.jpg

Media Contacts: Forests Ontario: Shelley McKay, Director of Communications and Development, Forests Ontario, 416-646-1193 x232, [email protected]; Del Ridge Homes: Mark Wessel, Bullpen PR, 705-445-2733, [email protected]