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Many Alberta consumers value energy efficiency in their houses and would like to see the provincial government implement stronger standards for new homes.

A recent poll shows Alberta homeowners place strong value on energy efficiency and voice support for an updated provincial building code.

The results of the Pembina Institute, North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) Canada, and Consumers Council of Canada poll concluded 96 per cent of Albertans surveyed believe household energy conservation and energy efficiency is important. Additionally, 87 per cent supported the provincial government implementing stronger energy efficiency standards for new homes.

Jesse Row, P.Eng., is the sustainable communities group director for the Pembina Institute. He said benefits of energy-efficient homes include:
• saving money—upgrades in energy efficiency reduce utility bills by more than the cost of the upgrade;
• reducing impact on the environment;
• enhancing comfort—energy-efficient homes hold heat better in the winter and cool air better in the summer; and
• improving construction.

The average national EnerGuide rating of new homes in Canada is 76. Alberta's current average is 71, with British Columbia at 77, and Ontario between 78 and 80. As a result, Alberta is trying to update their building codes to equal these other provinces.

"Using numbers provided by the government, we can build a highly efficient home with an EnerGuide 80 rating," Row told Construction Canada Online. "The combination of monthly mortgage payments and monthly utility bills would actually go down in the first year and every year afterward."