The Home Energy Label Program empowers Calgarians to understand their home’s energy use, reduce costs, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Labels provide estimated energy consumption, potential cost savings, and recommended efficiency upgrades. This empowers homeowners, buyers, sellers, and renters to make informed decisions about their homes.
Today, we will delve into the intricacies of obtaining an energy label. We’ll provide a comprehensive overview of the step-by-step process, ensuring you have a clear understanding of the requirements and procedures involved.
What EnerGuide Rating System?
EnerGuide is Canada’s national energy rating system for homes. Similar to labels on appliances, it evaluates a home’s energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions. The rating compares a home to other homes and new construction standards. To obtain an EnerGuide label, homeowners must work with a Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) registered energy advisor or service organization.
Are you eligible for the rebate?
You may be eligible for a rebate if you are:
- Building a new single-family, semi-detached, or duplex home.
- Applying for a new Single Construction Permit (SCP) between September 13, 2023, and December 31, 2024.
- Working with an NRCan-registered Energy Advisor (EA) or Service Organization (SO) authorized to issue Home EnerGuide Labels.
How do you apply for Home Energy Labeling Program?
- Home Energy Assessment
To obtain an EnerGuide label, you will need to contact a qualified energy assessor or auditor. They will conduct a thorough evaluation of your home’s energy efficiency, including blower door test, inspecting elements like insulation, windows, doors, HVAC systems, and appliances.
The blower door test is crucial for determining your home’s airtightness and identifying areas where air is leaking. For more information on blower door tests, click here.
- Data Collection
the assessor will meticulously gather comprehensive data about your home’s specific characteristics, including its dimensions, construction materials, and energy consumption patterns. This detailed information is essential for generating an accurate and reliable energy label.
By employing sophisticated software tools, the assessor will carefully calculate your home’s energy usage and efficiency levels. These calculations will precisely determine your home’s overall energy performance and assign it an appropriate energy rating.
To ensure compliance with program requirements, the registered Energy Advisor (EA) or Service Organization (SO) must submit the complete evaluation results, incorporating the critical blower door test data, to Natural Resources Canada (NRCan).
Once the construction is finalized, the City of Calgary will directly receive the verified EnerGuide Label data from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). This streamlined process eliminates the need for homeowners to submit physical labels.
- Label Generation
Based on the calculated energy rating, a home energy label will be created.
The label will typically include information such as:
- Energy efficiency rating
- Estimated annual energy costs
- Comparison to similar homes
- Recommendations for energy improvements
- receive the rebate
Once the City receives the necessary EnerGuide Label data from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), you will be issued a rebate. This payment will be sent to you electronically via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or by cheque. The rebate amount is $250 for each energy label submitted, up to a total of $7,500 per applicant throughout the duration of the program.
Benefits of Home Energy Labeling Program
By participating in this program, builders will gain several key advantages:
- Enhanced Home Value
Obtain verifiable proof of a home’s energy efficiency through the EnerGuide Label. This nationally recognized rating can significantly increase a home’s market value and appeal to environmentally conscious buyers.
- Informed Homeowners
Empower new homeowners to make informed decisions about energy consumption. The EnerGuide Label provides a clear comparison of energy performance between homes, enabling buyers to select energy-efficient options.
- Long-Term Cost Savings
Investing in energy efficiency during construction yields substantial long-term benefits. New homeowners can enjoy reduced energy bills, contributing to overall savings and increased comfort.
- Regulatory Compliance
Prepare for future building code requirements. This program aligns with the Tiered Energy Performance section of the National Building Code of Canada – Alberta Edition, ensuring compliance and positioning builders for success in the evolving construction industry.
The Home Energy Labeling Program offers a valuable opportunity for both builders and homeowners in Calgary.
By understanding and participating in the Home Energy Labeling Program, Calgarians can take significant steps toward reducing their energy consumption and environmental impact. By obtaining an EnerGuide label, homeowners gain valuable insights into their home’s energy performance and can identify potential areas for improvement. The program empowers residents to make informed decisions about energy efficiency, leading to lower utility bills and a more sustainable future.
Whether you’re a homeowner looking to reduce energy costs or a builder aiming to construct energy-efficient homes, the Home Energy Labeling Program provides a clear path to achieving these goals.
Book Your Energy Audit
Home Energy Audit is the first step to apply for any energy retrofit rebate.
