A partnership between Enbridge Sustain and local developer SEAN (Sean Mason Homes) is bringing a new “green” community to Barrie.
Officials from both companies celebrated the development of a new 73-unit townhome and condo community earlier this week.
They say the 'Rainwater' development, to be located at 339 and 341 Veterans Dr., just north of Harvie Road, will be sustainably heated and cooled using a geothermal system designed, built and operated by Enbridge.
The partnership came about after Enbridge Sustain officials met with Sean Mason and provided his team with the benefits a geothermal energy system.
“In today’s competitive housing market, sustainability is the advantage that sets builders apart," Enbridge's Leanne McNaughton told BarrieToday via email. "Enbridge is expanding (its) energy offerings through clean, renewable geothermal technology — the most efficient heating and cooling system on the market.
"By providing a leading-edge, low-carbon option for energy-conscious home buyers, developers have an opportunity to customize the best solution to meet their business goals," she added.
Enbridge Sustain has been working with builders and developers across Ontario, McNaughton noted, adding SEAN was its first partnership.
"(They) are committed to building an innovative community with a different way of delivering energy and Enbridge Sustain saw this as an opportunity,” she said.
Enbridge Sustain, which manages the end-to-end delivery of low-carbon energy projects like this with no upfront costs, says it's working with partners to ensure "seamless integration" into the development process.
“Developers, builders and building owners face significant barriers when seeking to adopt clean energy solutions, including high upfront capital costs and ongoing maintenance and operating concerns,” Enbridge Sustain vice-president Mark Irvine said in a news release. “We’re helping to make the adoption of sustainable energy technologies convenient and hassle-free."
Enbridge Sustain was an obvious choice for the company, says Sean Mason, vice-president of sales, land acquisition and marketing for SEAN. He said the two companies have worked on other projects together, including a solar installation in Barrie at 829 Essa Rd.
“We are always looking for ways to offer affordable, comfortable, lower carbon footprint homes to our customers," he told BarrieToday. "By taking on the upfront capital costs, Enbridge Sustain helped make geothermal a realistic and affordable solution."
The list of benefits to the homeowners is long, said Martin, but includes everything from “reduced energy bills at a time when inflation is a concerning topic of discussion."
