ENERGY STAR^®

ENERGY STAR for New Homes

Since 2001, Natural Resources Canada's (NRCan's) Office of Energy Efficiency has promoted the international ENERGY STAR^® symbol in Canada and monitored its use.

Products bearing the ENERGY STAR symbol help save energy, save money and protect the environment.

Any product or piece of equipment that displays the ENERGY STAR symbol is energy efficient and meets stringent technical specifications.

What are ENERGY STAR qualified new homes?

In 2005, NRCan expanded the ENERGY STAR Initiative in Canada to include energy-efficient new homes. ENERGY STAR qualified new homes are approximately 30 percent more energy efficient than those built to minimum building code standards. The increased efficiency of these homes translates into reduced energy costs for homeowners.

What's involved?

Typical energy efficiency measures for these new homes include

• insulation upgrades
• higher-performance windows
• better draft-proofing
• more efficient heating, hot water and air conditioning systems
• sealed ducts for better air distribution
• ENERGY STAR qualified appliances (if supplied by the builder)

The benefits to the new homeowner are

• lower energy bills
• improved comfort
• government-backed quality assurance
• lower impact on the environment
• higher resale value

How energy efficient is an ENERGY STAR qualified home?

Builders or homeowners of ENERGY STAR qualified houses can also receive an energy rating label - the EnerGuide label - to compare and rate the energy consumption of the home.

To determine the home's energy rating (on a scale from 0 to 100), a trained energy advisor enters the house and conducts tests. Once this is complete, the energy advisor provides an EnerGuide label and a homeowner report that outline the home's level of energy efficiency.

Although most new houses receive a rating of 68 or higher, the average ENERGY STAR qualified home receives an energy rating of 77 or higher. Therefore, when you see the ENERGY STAR symbol on a new house, you know that it is an energy-efficient new home that would receive an excellent EnerGuide rating.

ENERGY STAR and the environment

Today, 17 percent of the energy consumed in Canada is used to run our homes. Every time we use energy from fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, we produce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that contribute to climate change. An ENERGY STAR qualified new home reduces GHG emissions by approximately three tonnes per year.

Is there any financial help for new home buyers?

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) offers a 10 percent refund on its mortgage loan insurance premium when a borrower buys or builds an energy-efficient home. To qualify for this refund, the home's energy efficiency must meet certain minimum requirements. Visit CMHC's Web site at cmhc.ca or call 1 800 668-2642 for more information.

The ENERGY STAR name and symbol are registered trademarks of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and are used with permission. The EnerGuide name and graphic identifier are official trademarks of Natural Resources Canada.

Natural Resources Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency Leading Canadians to Energy Efficiency at Home, at Work and on the Road