Energy efficient homes can improve affordability for consumers, a study commissioned by Consumers Council of Canada and NAIMA Canada has determined.
The costing analysis for upgrades of EnerGuide 80 homes in Alberta concluded that the total incremental renovation cost was approximately $6,000. When compared to a standard home, built to minimum energy efficiency requirements, the EnerGuide 80 homes boasted a positive net value between $6,600 and $11,000.
These findings come as the government of Alberta is defining an interim building code that will raise energy efficiency standards for new homes. This work will help ease the province’s transition to Canada’s new building code, coming in 2012. The new national code will enshrine energy efficiency in its objectives, making the standard for all new homes higher than the current Alberta Code. Download the report