The Consumers Council of Canada, along with the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance, Alberta Energy Efficiency Alliance, North American Insulation Manufacturers Association of Canada and the Pembina Institute have embarked on a public campaign, including radio advertising, to raise awareness of the Government of Alberta’s need to update its energy efficiency standards when it comes to the Alberta Building Code.

The campaigns, which urge consumers to contact their local Members of Legislative Assembly and insist on better building codes in Alberta, surfaced after the Government of Alberta’s stopped its efforts to increase its energy efficiency requirements in the Alberta Building code. The Government is waiting to adopt the energy efficiency requirements in the next version of the National Building Code, which is set to come out at the end of this year. The new National Building Code is expected to raise the energy efficiency level equivalent to EnerGuide 80 for houses, it is judged that Alberta is currently operating at approximately EnerGuide 68.

Currently new homes being sold in Alberta cost consumers over 30% more to heat and cool, than those being built in Ontario, B.C., Manitoba, and Nova Scotia.  In most cases, energy efficiency improvements cost builders less than $5000, with benefits greatly outweighing the additional costs passed onto consumers.

Listen to the radio advertising campaign

Read more about the Council’s position on home energy conservation