From street level, the new showcase homes at Hometown Sharon Village look like any of the other detached singles in the East Gwillimbury master-planned community. But on the inside, these designer-decorated homes are packed with cutting-edge green technology.
On Thursday, July 18th, Acorn Developments held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of their NetZero Ready showcase homes. Guests included the Mayor of East Gwillimbury and Town Council officials, trade partners who contributed to the initiative, and of course, members of the Acorn Developments team.
“This is a tremendous example people can look up to,” said Virginia Hackson, Mayor of East Gwillimbury. “This innovative approach to residential building speaks to the commitment Acorn has to our environment, not only today but tomorrow as well.”
NetZero and NetZero Ready homes are up to 80 percent more energy efficient than the current building code, resulting in healthy, comfortable and quiet living environments, not to mention lower utility costs. From the foundation to the roof, nearly every space is equipped with energy saving features — think high R-value insulation in the walls and attics, high efficiency heat pumps, on-demand hot water pumps, rain water barrels, triple pane windows, under-slab insulation, EV charging rough-ins, drain water heat recovery, tankless water heaters and more.
Solar panels are able to be added at a future date and the showcase home exteriors boast permeable hard landscaping, allowing stormwater to return to the groundwater supply. Native Ontario plants were used to create different themed gardens such as Pollinator, Woodland and Prairie. A small community area features a Children’s Sensory garden (modeled after Edwards Garden’s Teaching Garden), as well as a bench and a Little Free Library — all to invite passersby to relax and interact with the natural surroundings.
Visit the Acorn NetZero Ready showcase homes on weekends, located at 4 Clara May Avenue in East Gwillimbury.
For more information, please visit acorndevelopments.com or email info@acorncorp.ca.
