What Exactly is High Performance?

High performance is a collection of design strategies and technologies for reducing energy consumption, improving an indoor environment and minimizing the environmental impact of a building. Energy efficiency and sustainable building practices can both be incorporated affordably.

To achieve high performance, you have to go beyond the normal building design process. Thorough planning, smart design and superior quality construction are just starters. Every single building component is carefully considered during the all-important design phase. The subsystems and every other part of the building are integrated to work together. Since all of the pieces have to fit together well, it’s essential that the entire design team be fully integrated from the very beginning.

Make Your Building More Valuable – Well Before Construction Starts

Today, developers, architects, engineers, property owners and others in the building industry recognize the significance and positive impact of high-performance construction -- those new or renovated buildings incorporating energy-saving measures and using decidedly sustainable designs.

The energy, economic and environmental performance of these green facilities are substantially better than that of conventional buildings. It clearly pays to put energy efficiency high on your priority list when renovating or building new facilities. The upfront investment is minimal if incorporated as early as possible in the design stage. That way, the return on your investment will prove positive, and the building will be less expensive to operate and so much easier to sell, rent or lease. Over a building’s lifetime, the savings in operating costs far outweigh most initial investments in energy efficiency.

The Ontario Power Authority is working closely with the development and design industries to create high-performance, energy-efficient buildings that cost less to operate, have lower environmental impacts, are more profitable and are more comfortable places in which to live, work and play. Design assistance and attractive financial incentives are available to encourage builders and developers to incorporate high-performance strategies like sustainable building practices and energy-efficient features in their new construction and major renovation projects – strategies that can be affordably incorporated.

High-performance buildings are the answer to lower energy bills and improve energy performance. These savings come from a variety of energy-saving features, including increased insulation, windows and doors designed to reduce heat transfer, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, energy-saving equipment and lighting, and innovative technologies such as advanced meters, renewable energy and combined heat and power systems.

Once completed, your building will be tested to confirm that the final project matches the energy-efficient design and that the building not only uses less energy but also provides a higher quality and more affordable environment – one that ultimately leads to comfortable, satisfied occupants.

What Incentives are Available?

Take Advantage of the Support Available for the Integrated Design Process and Charettes

• Modelling simulation and software support for evaluating and incorporating proven energy-efficient technologies
• Incentive funding to partially offset the incremental costs for the purchase and installation of approved high-performance equipment
• Commissioning services
• Project measurement and verification

What Are The Benefits?

There are significant benefits to embracing and participating in the high-performance construction program – an in-demand initiative that’s responding to the growing public interest in energy efficiency and environmental leadership. The media and the public alike are attracted by high-performance buildings as the world increasingly embraces sustainability.

A High-Performance Building:

• Uses less energy, so peak demand charges can be reduced.
• Reduces maintenance costs.
• Reduces environmental impact.

What's Next?

Once you've made the decision to build a high-performance facility, the next step is to contact the Ontario Power Authority. Our High-Performance New Construction Program offers assistance for incorporating conservation and demand management measures into the design, construction and operation of new and substantially renovated buildings. These measures have been designed to help you save energy and money through improved efficiency and peak demand management.

To learn more about participating in the High-Performance New Construction Program or to explore the incentives available, please visit www.hpnc.ca or call us at 1-888-672-4762.