W Suites Goes Green

Smarter design is healthier living that benefits both residents and the environment.  Building to green building standards for high performance and sustainability.  Buildings that are more energy efficient are buildings that are more environmentally friendly - that generate lower greenhouse emissions.  Bringing fresh air into your suite and empowering residents with tools to reduce living costs will contribute to a healthier planet.  

Building Features

• Geothermal Heating System  The buildings domestic hot water is heated with a geothermal system with an underground piping system drilled five hundred feet under ground, where the heat pumps are 350% efficient, as compared to regular heating systems.
• High Efficiency fully modulating boilers run by natural gas, offering significant cost savings and reducing emissions of pollutants.
• Air tight insulated exterior walls with higher R values than code requirements.
• Central Ventilation System with heat recovery unit supplying common areas and individual suites with filtered fresh air.
• Ultra-sonic lighting in stairwells, parking garage, Recycling Room and Fitness Center, that turn on automatically by door-contact switch and sensors.
• Long-lasting Compact Fluorescent Lighting (CFL) in common areas.
• Recycling Facilities for sorting organics, recyclables and waste will help residents participate in the City of Halifax's waste reduction efforts.http://halifax.ca/wrms/commercialwaste.html
  
  Suite Features and Finishes
  
• Thermally insulated Low-E double glazed glass windows will help control heat loss in winter, heat gain in summer, and enhance occupant comfort.
• Individually controlled heating thermostats in each suite.
• Fine latex paints and coatings with low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC's) will limit effects of toxic odours.
• Low maintenance plank laminate hardwood floating floors in lieu of carpeting throughout the suite consume fewer natural resources and limit build-up of dust and irritants.
• Direct venting to the outside of kitchen hood, bathroom fans and dryer exhaust for improved indoor air quality.
• Energy star high efficiency Maytag appliances offer improved efficiency and reduced energy costs.
• Low flow, high pressure showerheads and aerated faucets.
• Dual flush toilets that use 6 litres of water per flush.
• CFL bulbs in all fixtures, lasting 10 times longer and using 1/3 less power, offering cost savings.
  
  Other Environmental Features
  
• Walking proximity to public transportation, work and shopping.
• Resident bicycle storage is available to promote alternative transportation.
  
  Energy Efficiency Links:
  
  http://www.nspower.ca/energy_efficiency/quick.shtml