Union Gas promotes energy-efficient new home construction

Optimum Home Program helps builders exceed provincial efficiency standards

CHATHAM, ON, Oct. 3, 2013 /CNW/ - Union Gas today announced the launch of a program designed to move residential home builder's energy-efficiency practices 20 percent ahead of provincial standards, assisting them to be future-ready in advance of the next Ontario Building Code change in 2017.

Originally offered as a pilot to 50 of the largest residential home builders in the Union Gas service area, the revised program is now being extended to all residential home builders in the company's area.

The Optimum Home Program equips builders with leading-edge technical and marketing training from renowned building science experts with an extensive background in energy efficiency and sustainable housing. The goal is to help builders design, build and market high-performance homes which exceed the current Ontario Building Code efficiency standards.

"Through the Optimum Home Program, builders have access to the knowledge, tools and support which will assist them in their journey to produce some of the most efficient homes on the market," said Dave Simpson, vice president of in-franchise sales and marketing and customer care at Union Gas. "In turn, homebuyers will benefit from high-performance homes that are more healthy, durable, and comfortable to live in, while significantly cutting energy bills."

Optimum Home education workshops will be held in select cities across Ontario between October 21, 2013 and the end of February 2014.  Participants will receive expert insight into advanced, robust building practices and creative marketing strategies that will help set them apart in a competitive marketplace, while still keeping focused on the bottom line.

Registration for the Optimum Home Program Education Workshops is available now.  For more information on the program or to register for the education workshops, visit uniongas.com/optimumhome.

Union Gas has been dedicated to energy conservation and reducing its environmental footprint for over 15 years. Since it first began offering Demand Side Management programs in 1997, Union Gas has delivered over 4.3 billion cubic metres of natural gas savings, and reduced carbon monoxide emissions by the equivalent of removing 1.4 million cars from Ontario's roads for a year.

About Union Gas
Union Gas Limited is a major Canadian natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario with 100 years of experience and service to customers. The distribution business serves about 1.4 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in more than 400 communities across northern, southwestern and eastern Ontario. One of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2013, Union Gas is a Spectra Energy (NYSE: SE) company with assets of $5.8 billion and approximately 2,200 employees. For more information, visit uniongas.com or find us on Twitter: twitter.com/uniongas, Facebook: facebook.com/uniongas and YouTube: youtube.com/user/uniongas.

SOURCE: Union Gas Limited

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