EnerGuide for New Houses Initiative

The objective of the initiative is to provide independent expert advice on energy-efficient home construction to homebuilders and new home buyers.

Eligibility Criteria

Homebuilders and new home buyers.

Summary

Natural Resources Canada's (NRCan's) Office of Energy Efficiency developed the EnerGuide for New Houses service to provide independent expert advice on energy-efficient home construction to homebuilders and new home buyers.

Builders who want to get involved first need to work with an energy advisor who will evaluate the house plan and use energy simulation software to estimate how much energy the house will use once it's completed. Tract builders often begin by evaluating a selection of plans to collect information on what impact various upgrades will have. After the initial evaluation, the advisor will work with the builder to develop cost-effective energy efficiency upgrades to offer customers. Builders can sell these upgrade packages for a fee, just like any other upgrade.

The second step comes when the house is completed.  An independent energy advisor comes to visit the house to verify its orientation, energy upgrades and airtightness. After this final evaluation, the builder receives an EnerGuide for New Houses rating label and a report to give to their customer.

The label can be displayed on the home's electrical box and is backed by the Government of Canada.  It shows customers that a trusted, independent expert from the EnerGuide for New Houses initiative has evaluated the level of energy efficiency of their house.

To order publications on the EnerGuide for New Houses Initiative, call 1-800-387-2000.

Quebec Contact(s):
See National Contact.

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National Contact(s):
Mr. Sylvain Quilliam
Manager, New Housing Intitiatives
Office of Energy Efficiency
Housing, Buildings & Regulations Division
Natural Resources Canada
1st Floor
1 Observatory Crescent
Ottawa, Ontario  K1A 0Y3
Telephone: (613) 943-0740
Toll-free (information): 1-800-387-2000
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-996-4397
E-mail: squillia@nrcan.gc.ca