Whether you are doing a renovation on an existing home or considering a new home construction, home efficiency is a top priority these days. Not only are many businesses choosing products that will save energy while reducing the costs associated with utility bills, but also a smaller carbon footprint is essential.
The amount of carbon dioxide released from fossil fuels including gas, coal and oil causes serious, damaging changes to the climate all around the globe. For this reason, energy efficiency has become a hot topic worldwide.
There are three programs offered by Natural Resources Canada. They include R-2000, Energy Star for new homes and the EnerGuide Rating System. The initiatives were designed to assist homeowners, buyers and builders in making better decisions when it comes to the efficiency of their homes.
R-2000 Certified Homes
Those homes that feature the R-2000 designation really set the bar high for being the most energy efficient. They are the most environmentally friendly and technologically advanced within the buyer’s market. Nearly 30 years ago Natural Resources Canada developed the tough program standards. The standards exceed the current billing codes in Canada. R-2000 surpasses homes that are Energy Star qualified because they feature clean air and environmental features as well as being more energy-efficient.
As new technologies and building codes are developed, the R-2000 standards are updated. As of 2012, these standards had increased by nearly 50 percent when compared to previous versions.
Energy Star Approved Renovations
This program, originally started by the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) was developed with the intention of conserving energy though technological innovations that identify energy efficient products including televisions, computers and kitchen appliances. Since its inception, this program has been expanded and now includes new homes, industrial structures, commercial buildings, indoor air quality products, commercial products and roofing materials. This is an internationally recognized symbol for high-energy performance.
For a new home to qualify for the Energy Star label, a builder who is certified by the government must have constructed it. It must feature highly efficient products and be at least 20 percent more efficient then a home built to code.
EnerGuide Rating System
If you are planning on a home renovation anytime soon, energy efficiency should be your top priority. Not only will you reap the rewards of lower energy costs, but also it will reduce your home’s impact on the environment and add resale value to your property.
Prior to making any improvements, homeowners should have an EnerGuide home evaluation to learn the current efficiency level of their home. A licensed energy advisor will perform this evaluation. He or she will use many tools to detect the sources of energy loss. Some of the tools used will include surface thermometers, furnace efficiency meters and infrared cameras. The evaluation will include a review of your utility bills for the past year and will include an assessment of each room in the home including the basement and attic. This assessment will determine how much energy the home consumes, how much energy is wasted and what can be done to increase savings.
Following this assessment, the homeowner will receive a written report that highlights areas where energy is lost as well as providing recommendations on which upgrades should be done. The homeowner will receive a rating for the current efficiency level and will be informed of the potential rating once the upgrades are completed.
The two things that you can do to reduce your carbon footprint and lower greenhouse gas emissions are to ensure that your home renovation projects increase your home energy-efficiency or, if you are purchasing a new home, ensure that it has been constructed using either the R-2000 standards or Energy Star efficiency.