Energy Smart Canada is proud to be part of the Butte Landing housing project, an innovative new residential development in Picture Butte, Alberta. The project will allow homeowners to enjoy geothermal and solar energy in their homes, living efficiently and saving on their utilities.
The project, developed by Oak Pointe Inc. and built by Cedar Ridge, will feature 36 housing units across nine four-plexes. Energy Smart is responsible for installing 132 tons of geothermal and 186kW of solar that will power the development, creating a model for what is possible when renewable energy is incorporated into residential construction from the very beginning.
At the heart of the project is a geothermal heating and cooling system designed to provide 100% of the homes’ heating and cooling needs without relying on natural gas. Geothermal technology uses the consistent temperature found underground to efficiently heat homes in the winter and provide cooling in the summer. By eliminating the need for natural gas for heating, the Butte Landing homes will significantly reduce their reliance on conventional energy sources.
The geothermal systems will be paired with solar PV systems installed by Energy Smart. The solar arrays are being designed to generate enough electricity to offset the electricity consumed by the geothermal systems, as well as the other electrical needs of the homes. Together, the two technologies will allow residents to live in homes that are essentially net zero from an energy-use perspective.
The project represents an important step forward for renewable energy in Southern Alberta. While solar has become increasingly common across the region, combining multiple renewable technologies at a larger residential development scale demonstrates how communities can take energy efficiency and sustainability even further.
For homeowners, the benefits extend beyond environmental impact. Highly efficient heating and cooling, combined with solar generation, can help reduce ongoing energy costs and provide greater predictability in household energy use. Rather than simply adding renewable energy to an existing building, Butte Landing has been designed around these technologies from the outset, allowing the geothermal and solar systems to work together as part of the overall energy strategy for the development.
The decision to incorporate geothermal and solar into the development also demonstrates the growing opportunities for renewable energy in new residential construction. By planning for renewable energy during the design and construction process, developers and builders can create homes that are more efficient, comfortable and affordable to operate over the long term.
Energy Smart is particularly excited to be involved in a project located in Picture Butte and to continue contributing to the growth of renewable energy throughout Southern Alberta. As more homeowners, builders and developers look for ways to reduce energy costs and environmental impact, projects like Butte Landing demonstrate that renewable energy can be incorporated into everyday housing in a way that is both practical and achievable.
With construction led by Cedar Ridge, development by Oak Pointe Inc., and renewable energy systems supplied and installed by Energy Smart Canada, Butte Landing brings together local expertise to create a forward-thinking residential community.
The 36-unit development is an example of how the homes being built today can help shape a more sustainable energy future for Southern Alberta. By combining geothermal heating and cooling with solar generation, Butte Landing is setting an exciting example for what the next generation of housing in the region can look like.