Year in Review: A Milestone Home

It was a first for Western Canada right here in Swift Current.

In September, Lyle and Debbie Simonson moved into the first home in this part of the country to reach the new R-2000 energy efficiency standard.

"It was a decision to lesson our footprint," Debbie said at an event celebrating the completion of the home. "That was just the icing on the cake. We're in a position where we can have it if we'd like it. It was interesting and important to explore what we could do, then to find out the finished product was so comfortable."

The home was built by Evolve Developments of Swift Current, and the plans did not originally call for the R-2000 standards, but did become possible after the Simonsons decided to use geothermal energy.

"I knew that there was other R-2000 homes out there," said Steven Lacey with Evolve Developments. "But I didn't realize because of the new standards we would have the first in Western Canada. It's great... it's overwhelming a little bit... It's a small community so it's good we are doing this before other cities that are quite larger. It shows that we are leaders and we try to do the best that we can."

Lacey estimated the solar panels will cover approximately 40%  of needed power generation. The whole process upped the cost of the home by 10%, but Lacey said the Simonsons should be able to make up for the difference with energy savings over 15 to 18 years.

More Year in Review stories:

Keystone XL Pipeline Rejected
Rick Hansen Relay
Central's Outdoor Classroom
City/RM Relations
Sentences in Major Court Cases
Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame Opens
Marketing Freedom for Farmers
Civic Election
Sod Turning for New School and Progress on Integrated Facility