Energy Efficiency Housing Programsat Natural Resources Canada

Jennifer TalsmaOffice of Energy EfficiencyMay 4, 2006

Toronto, May 4 - 5, 2006

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What will we see

Market Transformation Strategy

Housing Initiatives

Building Canada

Conclusion

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National Mandate: • To address market barriers to energy efficiency

technologies and practices within the new housing sector.

New Housing:

• Target: All new housing built to the EGNH 80 by 2010• Strategy: To increase the capacity to build, and consumer

demand for energy efficient new houses across Canada, in order to set the stage for more stringent mandated energy efficiency.

Market Transformation Strategy

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Increasing the capacity of industry to supply energy efficient houses, buildings, equipment and services

Increasing the demand for these products by consumers and decision makers

Tailoring approach, programs and tools to market segments of the built environment

Support regional programs such as the ENERGY STAR for New Homes pilot in Ontario

Supporting core tools and programs and working in partnership with allies to adapt and deliver across Canada

Working with appropriate jurisdictions for a regulatory approach

A strategy based on

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Canadian Context

All residential

• 12.7 M households (2002)• Low-rise 70% stock

• More than half are single-detached houses

• Typically wood frame construction

• Various climate zones

Single Detached

57%

Single Attached

11%

Apartments30%

Mobile Homes2%

Air conditioning2%

Lighting5%

Equipment15%

Water heating22%

Heating56%

Residential Energy Use

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R-2000 Standard

• Voluntary performance standard for construction and certification of energy-efficient homes

EnerGuide for New Houses

• Comparative energy rating system

Building Canada• A tool to improve the operations of builders

National New Housing Initiatives

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ENERGY STAR® for New Homes - Ontario (EGNH 78)

Built Green - Alberta & B.C. (Gold EGNH 77 +)

Power Smart New Home Program - Manitoba (EGNH 77 +)

GreenHome Program - Yukon (EGNH 80 +)

Novoclimat - Québec (EGNH 78 +)

Regional New Home Programs

MARKET TRANSFORMATION

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The R-2000 Standard

Energy performance target = 80 EGH

Airtightness target of 1.5 ACH at 50 Pa (pass-fail)

Indoor air quality, controlled ventilation and low-emission materials

Environmental responsibility: construction waste mgt, materials selection, water savings

Quality assurance 3rd party inspection; NRCan QA

Builder licensing training + build 1 house per 3 yrs

House certification

PREMIUM RECOGNITION LABEL

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* not representative of actual options or ratings.

Base Plan Improved High Efficiency

Attic Insulation

Wall Insulation

Windows

HVAC

Foundation

Slab Insulation

R-40

R-20

Double

Mid-efficiency

R-12

None

R-40

R-20

Low-E + Argon

Mid-efficiency

R-20

None

R-50

R-25

Low-E + Argon

High-efficiency

R-20

Yes

EGNH Rating 73 75 80+

EGNH Sample Builder Upgrade Packages*

EGNH is a comparative rating tool

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Average EnerGuide Ratings for Newer Homes

# Files Rating # Files Rating # files RatingNewfoundland 83 70 18 74 101 71Nova Scotia 184 74 80 74 264 74PEI 21 68 0 21 68New Brunswick 31 69 33 80 64 75Québec 504 73 755 80 1259 77Ontario 897 74 632 75 1529 74Manitoba 103 73 72 79 175 75Saskatchewan 149 71 4 76 153 71Alberta 697 71 1149 75 1846 73British Columbia 345 71 37 78 382 72Northwest Territories 23 69 0 23 69Yukon 85 73 27 80 112 75

Canada 3122 72 2807 77 5929 74As of March 13, 2006

EGH files EGNH files (excl. R-2000) Total (built 2000-2006) (built 2004-2006)

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Building Canada

“Building Canada” is a new tool that provides advice to large-volume builders on improving their house designs, construction practices and business practices to improve the houses built, particularly in terms of energy efficiency, at no or little additional cost.

This is achieved by focusing on construction defects and identifying other cost saving measures that can be incorporated within the builder’s business.

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Building Canada Challenges

Energy efficiency seen as a burden

Not just “House as a system”

Sales, Marketing, Financing, Estimating, Purchasing

Call-backs, Client relations (J.D. Powers)

Builder deals with many levels of trades – loss of control

Bottom line ($) is often driving factor

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Building Canada Solutions

Energy efficiency can be added at no additional cost

Building Science solutions

Best Practices Guide

• Detail drawings, 3D modeling, Advanced Framing, Load transfer, Improved technology

Step by step approach

Training – EGNH, R-2000, HRAI, Sales, etc.

The goal is to help the builder achieve the highest level of the applicable regional marketing program (EGNH 78+)

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The Strategy is Working

Over 2000 homes labeled EGNH last year

Builders representing 85% of new housing starts in Alberta participating in Built Green program

7% of new housing starts in Manitoba labeled PowerSmart

Approx. 1000 new homes labeled Novoclimat (4% of starts) and some 450 builders now participating

Increasing EE 20-30% from benchmark

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Pilot Project Update

ENERGY STAR for New Homes (Ontario)• Pilot extended to March 31, 2007• Over 100 houses labeled and 500 enrolled• Over 70 builders are involved• Current average EGNH rating is 78• Incentives available from Enbridge Gas Distribution• CMHC recognizes ENERGY STAR and top level of

all other regional programs for rebate

For more details come to our session at 2:45pm.

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Pilot Project Update Con’t

Similar to other premium energy efficiency programs• R-2000 (national), Built Green, PowerSmart, GreenHome,

Novoclimat

Integrates R-2000 Builder training and EGNH rating system

Supports the Provincial Regulatory Approach

NRCan’s Approach Results in Market Transformation!!!

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Contact Information

Jennifer Talsma, Account Manager, New Housing Programs, (613) 996-3784, jtalsma@nrcan.gc.ca

www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca