When buyers compare new homes, much of the attention naturally goes to the details of what can be seen: kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, windows and finishes for example. But some of the most important details in a home are behind the walls and ceilings in conjunction with sophisticated mechanical systems, these details and systems are planned and executed long before the finishing work begins.
At Parqside, the homes are being built to Step Code 4, the 2nd highest rating on the B.C Energy Step Code, one tier above what is mandated by the City of Kamloops. With a focus on energy performance, indoor comfort and long-term efficiency.
The building envelope plays a major role in that performance. Parqside homes include R-48 roof insulation and R-22 exterior wall insulation, along with Energy Star rated double-pane Low-E, argon-filled windows. These components are intended to reduce the amount of energy used to heat and cool the home. While helping maintain a more consistent indoor temperature throughout Kamloops’ hot summers and cooler winter months.
Well built windows help reduce unwanted heat transfer while still allowing the large windows throughout the homes to bring in plenty of natural light.
Heating and cooling is handled through an electric heat pump, which provides both functions from one system. A high-efficiency natural gas furnace provides a secondary option for heating.
Parqside homes also include an Energy Recovery Ventilator, or ERV. Modern energy-efficient homes are built more tightly than older homes, so managed ventilation becomes increasingly important. The ERV helps bring fresh outdoor air into the home while exhausting stale indoor air, supporting indoor air quality without simply opening windows and losing conditioned air.
Efficiency continues throughout the finished home with Energy Star Samsung appliances in the kitchen, Electrolux appliances in the laundry room, Valour electric fireplace in the living room and LED lighting and low-flow plumbing fixtures throughout.
Comfort is not limited to temperature either. Interior walls and floors are insulated for sound reduction, helping limit noise transfer between rooms and floors. High ceilings and large windows add another dimension to the living experience by creating brighter, more open interiors.
These construction details are easy to overlook during a walkthrough because many of them are hidden once the home is complete. Yet they influence how the home feels and performs every day.
At Parqside, Step Code 4 is part of a broader approach to building homes that combine modern design with greater comfort, efficiency and thoughtful construction behind the finishes. All of these details add up to owners saving money on utility statements.