Sterling Homes Excels in Green Building with Platinum Certification Milestones
Two prominent Alberta home builders, Sterling Homes Edmonton and Sterling Homes Calgary, have established themselves as provincial leaders in constructing environmentally friendly and energy-efficient residences. Their commitment to surpassing standard building codes has resulted in a significant increase in Built Green Canada certifications, particularly at the platinum level, which represents a 30% improvement in energy efficiency over current regulations.
Dramatic Growth in Sustainable Home Certifications
Sterling Homes Edmonton has experienced remarkable growth, jumping from just 15 certifications in 2022 to over 335 in the previous year. While gold certifications initially dominated their portfolio in 2023 and 2024, platinum certifications have consistently risen each year since 2022, reaching an impressive 35% of their total certifications last year.
In Calgary, Sterling Homes obtained its first Built Green certification in January 2006 and has since soared to more than 500 certifications in 2025. Historically, silver and gold levels accounted for most certifications, but last year saw platinum certifications also surge to 35% of their total.
Platinum Certification Requirements and Benefits
Jenifer Christenson, CEO of Built Green Canada, praised Sterling Homes' forward-thinking approach, noting that achieving platinum certification requires substantial commitment to sustainability. "Reaching a Built Green platinum certification is fantastic and is definitely not easy," Christenson emphasized. "It requires a 30 per cent energy efficiency improvement over today's building code."
The platinum certification encompasses comprehensive sustainable features including:
- Superior insulation values and high-quality windows
- Advanced slab insulation techniques
- Enhanced indoor air quality and ventilation systems
- Comprehensive waste management practices
- Water conservation measures
- Occupant wellness considerations
- Sustainable builder business practices
Provincial Leadership in Green Building
According to Built Green data, Sterling Edmonton's and Sterling Calgary's 2025 platinum certification numbers significantly exceed those of similarly sized certified home builders across Alberta. While platinum represents an outstanding achievement, Built Green offers even higher certification levels including net zero energy ready+ and net zero energy+, indicating potential for further advancement in sustainable building practices.
Christenson explained that certification levels require progressive energy performance improvements along with enhanced requirements across other key sustainability areas. The Artemis model by Sterling Homes exemplifies this commitment, designed specifically to meet Built Green Canada's platinum certification standards through meticulous attention to energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.
This green shift represents more than just regulatory compliance—it demonstrates how home builders can create more comfortable, sustainable living environments while contributing to broader environmental goals through improved energy performance and responsible construction practices.
