CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwire) -- 08/20/08 -- Canmore-based Wilderness Homes by Riverdale (Wilderness Homes), known for building environmentally conscious homes of exceptional quality, craftsmanship and style, became the first Canadian builder to achieve platinum level certification for its latest green residential home in Canmore, Alberta.

"Achieving platinum recognition was extremely important to us as we have prided ourselves on being the leader in green building in our market," said Bob Kocian, president, Wilderness Homes. "With the high energy costs today, it is increasingly important to provide housing options that save money and provide a cleaner and healthier living environment. We are proud to have built the first platinum level home in Canada; one that maintains quality design and function throughout."

The $2 million single-family detached home, expected to be complete in fall 2008, has met 120 of the most stringent green building requirements, as outlined by Built Green, an organization that provides builders and homebuyers with bronze, silver, gold and platinum levels of environmental construction. Points are awarded in categories that include operational systems, building materials, indoor air quality, ventilation, water conservation and interior and exterior finishings.

Enervision, an organization that does third-party testing for BuiltGreen standards and is modeled after the federal government's EnerGuide rating, presented Wilderness Homes with its certificate of achievement.

Using the environment as inspiration, Wilderness Homes builds mountain-inspired homes exclusively and this new platinum residence is no exception. The home overlooks the Three Sisters Mountains from front and rear decks and a variety of large windows. Vaulted ceilings, granite countertops, hardwood flooring, alder woodwork, situated on a well-treed lot.

The 3,000-square-foot home boasts the following green features:

- Two solar panels on the roof to power the Enerworks Solar Domestic hot water system.

- A tankless hot water system that provides on-demand hot water in just the right amount.

- Radiant slab heat powered by the solar panels and the hot water system.

- A 96-per-cent high-efficiency, variable-speed furnace with electronic ignition.

- Heat ducts with a continuous seal that reduces heat loss.

- A heat recovery ventilation system that allows for a super seal of the exterior envelope.

- Energy-efficient windows and doors, including fiberglass slab doors to reduce heat loss and sealed window panes coated with a low-emissivity coating and filled with argon gas.

- Low-flow toilets.

- Fireplaces with electronic ignition, instead of a standing pilot light that consumes gas.

About Wilderness Homes

Established in 1991, Wilderness Homes by Riverdale has earned a reputation for building environmentally conscious homes of exceptional quality, craftsmanship and style. Founded in Calgary, Wilderness Homes expanded into the Canmore market in 1993, relocating to this spectacular community to pursue a passion for building mountain-inspired homes. Wilderness Homes holds to stringent construction practices that keep environmental impacts to a minimum, and incorporate a long list of features and materials that make homes technologically smart, energy efficient and aesthetic.