Building Green
Living at Tsawwassen Springs means living in a natural environment of international importance.
Tsawwassen lies at the heart of a highly sensitive natural crossroads, a stopover on the Pacific Flyway for 250,000 migrating birds. The environment around Tsawwassen ranks #1 out of 600 wild bird habitats in Canada. It’s probably the best birding there is. You can just walk or cycle along and see eagles overhead or herons out on the water.
Building Green
Among many green initiatives, the homes at Tsawwassen Springs feature:
- geoexchange energy to heat and cool Condos
- outlets to charge an electric golf cart or electric car (not just every house, but every Condo too)
- building materials such as carpet and paint that don’t emit harmful gases like toluene and formaldehyde
- heat recovery ventilation (HRV) systems that provide you with fresh air inside your condo at all times
- wherever possible, locally sourced building materials
In every case, the most environmentally conscious choice has been given priority.
With its commitment to LEED©, Audubon certification, and building green Tsawwassen Springs is helping residents and golfers live and play sustainably.
The LEED program measures Tsawwassen Springs’ success in many areas to promote healthier, cost-effective and sustainable living for residents and for the larger community: – indoor air quality – energy efficiency – water efficiency – site selection – site development – materials selection – residents’ awareness – innovation.
The development team at Tsawwassen Springs is confident that it will achieve LEED certification for all Condos, and are building green in all homes.
The Audubon program sets a benchmark for golf courses to:
provide wildlife habitats
conserve and protect water quality
reduce chemical use
protect environmental quality
conserve natural resources
The Tsawwassen Springs Golf Course is on track to obtain certification in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program.
How does Geoexchange work for the Condos?
Geoexchange takes advantage of a surprising fact: the earth just beneath our feet is considerably warmer than the air in winter and cooler in summer. Geoexchange systems use this solar heat stored in the earth—a renewable source of energy—to provide heating and cooling. And FortisBC designs, owns and operates these environmentally friendly systems. Here’s how geoexchange works:
1. Pipes are buried 200-400 feet below the ground, close to buildings. Inside the pipes, water glycol is constantly circulating. This is called the loop field system.
2. Heat from the earth is absorbed by the liquid and the system transports the heat to the building.
3. Heat pumps then distribute the heat to individual suites during colder months.
4. In summer, the process is reversed. The pumps carry heat away from each suite, effectively cooling homes.
5. Geoexchange systems can be backed up by reliable natural gas as needed.
Natural gas is also featured throughout Tsawwassen Springs with gas ranges in kitchens and piping to patios for barbecues and heaters. Individual gas meters in each suite allow homeowners to manage their own energy usage and costs.
The Geoexchange Advantage
Renewable energy and reliable technology—backed by natural gas—make perfect sense when you consider the advantages.
- A big boost for the environment, geoexchange helps reduce CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions.
- Highly efficient geoexchange can help owners reduce their conventional energy usage.
- Owned and operated by FortisBC, a geoexchange system means homeowners receive high standard of reliable customer service and energy supply.
About FortisBC
Committed to British Columbia’s energy needs, FortisBC provides safe, reliable and innovative energy solutions. The companies that make up FortisBC deliver more energy than any other utility in the province, approximately 21 per cent of the total energy consumed in BC.
FortisBC employs more than 2,000 people and serves more than 1.1 million customers in 135 communities. In addition to natural gas, electricity and piped propane, FortisBC develops and designs renewable energy solutions, including district energy and geoexchange, for today and tomorrow.
FortisBC’s stable operating and maintenance rates for geoexchange also provide strata corporations and building owners—of developments like Tsawwassen Springs—with a degree of insulation from energy price volatility.
Visit fortisbc.com to learn more.
