Energy Efficient Housing Takes Another Step Forward in Ontario by Jim Adair
Last week, homeowners moved into the first house in Canada to sport an Energy Star label. The familiar logo, which has been used on computer monitors, television sets and appliances, is now being displayed on new homes in a pilot project in Ontario. The Energy Star symbol originated in the United States as an easy way for consumers to tell which products help reduce the use of energy. The program was expanded to Canada in 2001 for major appliances, consumer electronics, office equipment, heating and cooling equipment, lighting and signage, windows and doors, and on some commercial products. Early this year, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) introduced the Energy Star for New Homes label in Canada. Several other stakeholders, ranging from utility companies to the provincial home builder's association, are also involved. "If each of the 66,000 new homes expected to be built in this province in 2005 was built to the Energy Star level, the savings would be a minimum of 165,000 less tonnes of greenhouse gases and enough energy to supply another 26,000 new homes for free," says Lenard Hart, EnerGuide program manager for EnerQuality Corp., which manages the program. Homes that get an Energy Star logo will save owners about 40 per cent of their utility bills, or $60 a month, compared to a home built to minimum Ontario building code standards. It will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by two to three tonnes. The first Energy Star house to be completed was built by Mason Homes in Barrie, Ont. Hart says an independent assessment shows this house will save even more money than expected -- four tonnes of greenhouse gas and more than $80 in per month in heating bills, compared to a conventional new home. When air conditioning is factored in, says Hart, the savings are even larger. Sean Mason of Mason Homes says the house reduces energy consumption "through higher insulation values, tighter construction, high-performing windows, and more efficient heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems." The program also encourages the use of energy-efficient lighting and appliances. Mason Homes is a high-production builder that has been in business for 45 years, and has won awards for its energy-conserving homes. In the community of Stittsville, Ont., all houses in a 300-home community being built by Tartan Homes and Tamarack Homes will be constructed to Energy Star standards. NRCan says the community will also "employ best practices in enhancing wildlife habitat and conservation lands." NRCan has been involved in building energy efficient housing since the early 1980s, when it launched the R-2000 program. That program laid the foundation for many energy conservation and "green" building practices that have since become commonplace in the industry. The original program relied on using increased insulation and sealing the building envelope of the home to keep it warm in winter and cool in the summer. The key to R-2000's success is the use of heat-recovery ventilators to ensure a constant supply of fresh air in the homes. After introducing the EnerGuide program to help homeowners renovate existing homes to achieve energy conservation, NRCan launched the EnerGuide for New Houses Service, in which new home plans are analysed and energy efficiency recommendations are made before the house is built. These homes are then certified to EnerGuide standards, which are lower than R-2000 but still much higher than those of typical houses. NRCan says the government of Canada's goal is to ensure that all new homes in Canada are built to these higher standards by 2010. It says the Energy Star pilot project was launched to address the needs of tract builders who plan to build either R-2000 Homes or houses that meet EnerGuide for New Houses standards. "Energy Star is the most recognized energy efficiency label in North America, and the fact that it is now available in Canada is an important step for the environment and for homeowners' pocketbooks," says Hart. When the Stittsville project was announced, Minister of Natural Resources Canada R. John Efford said, "We need to raise awareness of the importance of using energy-efficient products and practices to help reduce the effect of climate change. This community will showcase the benefits of energy-efficient homes for home buyers and their communities." | 
