Local developer recognized for use of green technology

By Angelica Blenich, June 2011

A revolutionary heating and cooling system being implemented in the Silver Beach development in Haliburton is being recognized by Natural Resources Canada.

For the past few months, Silver Beach developer Gerry Kowalski has been travelling across the province explaining the benefits of a zoned heating and cooling system.

"Natural Resources came to me and said you're the main guy using these zone systems," said Kowalski. "So they asked me to prepare a presentation and deliver it during conferences across the province."

An example of sustainable technology, the system, said Kowalski, is relatively new to builders. Kowalski has been installing it into Silver Beach developments since 2008.

"The system is composed of zone hydronic heating," said Kowalski. "The whole house has three different duct runs to service each level of the home."

The set-up, he said, allows the homeowner to control different areas of the house with various temperature levels.

"I can completely control the temperature in the house for what area I'm in at certain times of the day, so it's very efficient for heating and very comfortable."

The system moves air through the house efficiently saving up to 30 per cent on electricity costs for cooling.

The system falls under the Local Energy Efficiency Program, an initiative of Natural Resources Canada.

Kowalski has been selected to demonstrate the benefits of the system to other builders, travelling to places such as Toronto, London and Sudbury.

All of the homes in Kowalski's development have been designed as zone ready.

Kowalski began construction on Silver Beach in 2008. To date 19 units have been built, with 40 more units to be completed.

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