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(Toronto, ON) - Buying a home is, for many, the largest
investment that they will make in their lifetime. Yet, unlike
buying a car (mpg ratings) or buying an appliance (Energystar
ratings), there is really nothing which would indicate to the
homebuyer how efficient their new home and investment will be.
The new provisions in the Ontario Green Energy Act aim to change
all that and provide full disclosure. The energy ratings,
generated through an energy assessment will empower homebuyers,
help homeowners save money on energy, improve the environment
and create new Green Energy jobs.
An Energy Assessment (EA) is a thorough analysis of the
behind-the-walls workings of a home and a reliable indicator for
homeowners of how efficient their newly purchased home will be.
They also help home owners anticipate utility expenses, and to
prioritize any future energy and money saving renovations.
An EA based on the Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) EcoENERGY
for Homes will take between 1.5 and 2.5 hours. Each Certified
Energy Advisor is trained and certified to meet the national
standards for assessing homes, regulated by the federal
government, through NRCan. The inspection includes:
- measurements of the house both inside and out;
- a detailed inspection
from attic to basement collecting such information as:
type, age and condition of heating and cooling
equipment; number of rooms; number of windows; facing
of the house; etc.
- a blower door test which
simulates wind pressure against all sides of the house
in order to identify total air leakage as well as the
individual areas that are the leakiest;
- a computer model of the
home with a detailed report that shows where your energy
dollars are going and recommends the most cost-effective
ways to upgrade
- an energy efficiency
rating label that shows you how energy efficient your
home is, compared with other similar homes
Mandatory energy assessments were recommended in Ontario's
Green Energy Act, which was introduced yesterday by Minister
George Smitherman. This would provide home buyers with more
tools to help them prioritize renovations that could
significantly lower their utility costs, which is one of the
largest home expenses after mortgage.$150 of the costs of an
energy assessment ($300-350) are covered by the province of
Ontario.
"There is a parallel between the mandatory auto emissions test
and mandatory home energy assessments," said Vladan Veljovic,
President and CEO of GreenSaver. "But, unlike the emissions
test, the homeowner does not have to make any upgrades in order
to sell. A house is the largest investment in a person's
lifetime and this type of disclosure will protect homeowners
from expensive surprises."
After investing over 25 years encouraging homeowners to perform
energy efficient upgrades, GreenSaver stands firmly behind
mandatory labelling. New homes are subject to energy efficiency
requirements in the Building Code, and Ontario's existing
housing stock must be upgraded for us to contribute to a
healthier environment in the future. Mandatory labelling will
give home buyers the information they need to make informed,
economical and environmentally responsible choices.
For further information, or to arrange interviews, please
contact:
Tracy Chong, Marketing and Communications, GreenSaver,
416.797.7210
GreenSaver is an independent non-profit corporation
dedicated to environmental energy efficiency. They have
pioneered Ontario residential energy conservation for 25 years
with economically viable and environmentally friendly measures
to help individuals and organizations with their energy need (
www.greensaver.org ).
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