Rosehaven Is Building A Greener Caledon

The Mayfield Collection has been a prime example of the city’s new Green Development Standards, saving homeowners on water use and greenhouse gas emissions

According to national figures, the energy needed to heat, cool, and electrify Canadian homesaccounts for about 18% of our total greenhouse gas emissions. Once you incorporate building materials and construction, that number is closer to 30%.

The good news is that, from quality, performance, and safety perspectives, Canada has some of highest construction standards in the world, and Ontario’s home energy efficiency building codes are among the most advanced in North America.

That said, the rapid pace of residential development has led to environmental pressures, which in addition to greenhouse gas emissions, is placing new stress on treated water supply and sanitation. Now many Ontario municipalities looking for ways to become more sustainable.

Caledon Introduces Green Development Standards

In May 2024, the Town of Caledon adopted new Green Development Standards (GDS), with the help of local builders, developers, energy auditors, and other industry professionals. The program was drafted by a third-party consultant, Sustainability Solutions Group, which helps Canadian communities create climate action plans through energy and emissions modelling, financial analysis, and engagement.

The GDS ensures that new development reaps the benefits of energy efficient and sustainable design, avoiding costly retrofits in the future. It outlines climate-friendly design standards for all new residential, commercial, and industrial developments. The program focuses on minimizing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to a changing climate, protecting and enhancing the natural environment, and creating walkable communities.

Sustainability: Caledon’s Top Priority for Building

“The Town of Caledon has made sustainability a long-standing priority,” says Alexandra Service, the town’s Climate Change Specialist in the Energy and Environment Division. “It was one of the first to require Energy Star for new home labeling for all subdivision agreements through its Mayfield West Sustainable Residential Home Strategy back in 2012.” The new Green Development Standards will be updated every three years to reflect advancements in technology, building codes, and government policy.

Service describes the GDS as a performance-based approach to energy efficiency, greenhouse gas, and water conservation. “Our approach is program and technology-agnostic,” she sasys. “We’re different from other municipalities in that we don’t mandate a tiered or point-based system including third party-verified energy modelling reports in draft proposals. We have added this as an option.”

“Flexibility is a top priority — we hope having options that work for individual builders can help simplify the process.”

Rosehaven’s Innovations at the Mayfield Collection: Saving Water & Cutting Carbon

Long recognized as an innovative builder, Rosehaven Homes has chosen its own path to energy efficiency and water conservation with The Mayfield Collection, a series of single-family homes in the south part of Caledon. They have been recognized with the CRESNET HERS H2O Award for the 2025 Cross Border Challenge, with the help of 3.5 litre low flush toilets, low-flow faucets, shower heads, and other features. Rosehaven scored 84 out of 100 for HERS H20 Water Savings, or 1.5 million litres across 30 homes.

Every home that Rosehaven builds is tested and rated to HERS 46 or less, which is equivalent to a “Zero Energy Ready” designation. By involving this innovative third-party rating system, builders are held to a higher standard of efficiency and quality through every step of the building process.

By implementing high-efficiency mechanical systems, enhanced insulation, and superior windows and doors, Rosehaven Homes guarantees a home that performs better than average construction. With features like a high-efficiency furnace with ECM blower motor, an ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator), and a power pipe heat exchanger, homeowners save on monthly bills and remain comfortableyear-round.

Working with fellow builder Townwood Homes, the Mayfield Collection boasts a combined water reduction of 2 million litres, and emission reductions of 64 tons of CO2.

Net Zero Future: Meeting the Needs of a Growing Population

While the GDS addresses sustainability, what about the housing crisis? According to Domenica D’Amico, Caledon’s Commissioner of Engineering for Public Works and Transportation, the town’s population is expected to more than triple in the next 25 years.

“We take our commitment seriously to increase housing supply and affordability. At the same time, our strategic plan identifies environmental leadership as a core pillar for action on climate change, biodiversity and sustainable development,” says D’Amico. “But these goals are not mutually exclusive. We want to develop housing that’s energy efficient, comfortable, climate-resilient, and affordable for residents long-term. The GDS program helps support these goals and ensures that the town develops in a thoughtful and sustainable way that benefits both people and the natural environment.”

The Town of Caledon’s GDS received full marks from the Atmospheric Fund, a regional climate agency that invests in low-carbon solutions for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area, which helped to fund the project. “Caledon showed leadership in its inclusive community and stakeholder engagement process,” the organization said in a press release. “Their progress should motivate other GTA municipalities to adopt green standards for new construction, if they haven’t done so already. This is a critical step toward Caledon’s net zero future.”

Interested in learning more about the Mayfield Collection? Visit our community page and contact us today.