ENERGY STAR® Qualified Homes

The ENERGY STAR for New Homes initiative promotes energy efficiency guidelines that enable new homes to be approximately 25 percent more energy efficient than those built to minimum provincial building codes. The increased efficiency of these homes translates into reduced energy costs for homeowners.

What Is an
ENERGY STAR Qualified Home?

An ENERGY STAR qualified home is a home that has been built by a licensed ENERGY STAR for New Homes builder who incorporates energy efficient features into the home so that it can meet the ENERGY STAR for New Homes technical specifications.

Upon completion of the ENERGY STAR qualified new home, an independent (not employed by the builder) ENERGY STAR for New Homes Certified Energy Advisor verifies that the home has been built to ENERGY STAR for New Homes technical specifications. After the verification process is complete, BuyWise issues an ENERGY STAR for New Homes label and certificate to the homeowner. The label is usually placed on the home’s electrical panel and includes a regional service organization seal of authenticity.

Potential homebuyers will be amazed to learn how much less they will have to spend for heating, cooling and hydro in energy-efficient homes.

Features of an
ENERGY STAR Qualified Home

Some of the features that builders typically incorporate to meet the ENERGY STAR for New Homes technical specifications are:

Heating and cooling systems – All furnaces and heat pumps are ENERGY STAR qualified. The annual fuel utilization efficiency rating (AFUE) of furnaces complies with rigorous Canadian minimum efficiency requirements. As a result, you use less fuel and save money.

Ducts – Ducts gain efficiency by providing heating and cooling to designated areas only. In addition, there is less leakage at duct joints because all supply and return trunk ducts and all take-offs are sealed. This means that less heat is lost as air moves from the furnace to the living areas of your home and air conditioning is evenly and properly distributed.

Windows, patio doors and skylights – All windows, glass doors and skylights comply with Canada’s requirements for ENERGY STAR qualified windows. This feature alone could cut more than 10 percent off your energy costs.

Walls and ceilings – There is more insulation in the ceilings and walls of an ENERGY STAR qualified home than is required by building codes. This reduces heat loss, puts less strain on your heating and cooling systems and keeps your house more comfortable.

Ventilation and air leakage – ENERGY STAR qualified new homes must meet rigorous airtightness targets. Reduced air movement through the building envelope, as revealed by an air leakage test, means less draftiness for the homeowner. Inclusion of an ENERGY STAR qualified heat recovery ventilation system (HRV) creates improved air quality.

There are additional homeowner savings if builders supply ENERGY STAR qualified appliances and lighting.

Benefits of Owning an
ENERGY STAR Qualified Home

You can be assured that your ENERGY STAR qualified new home has been built to strict technical specifications by a licensed ENERGY STAR for New Homes builder and that it has been verified by an independent energy evaluator to ensure state-of-the-art performance. You will benefit from it in a variety of ways.

Lower cost

You will be pleased to see the monthly energy savings in an ENERGY STAR qualified new home. If you pay a mortgage, these savings will more than compensate for any additional costs that may be charged initially for the energy-saving features.

Improved air quality = health and comfort.

Air movement in your house, especially in winter, causes drafts that make you feel uncomfortable. You will quickly notice the difference in an ENERGY STAR qualified home. Higher levels of air tightness and a heat recovery ventilation system (HRV) give you a greater sense of coziness as they keep indoor air fresh and maintain humidity at the level you find comfortable.

Less energy expended = fewer pollutants.

Homes account for 17 percent of all energy use in Canada. As ENERGY STAR qualified homes are more energy-efficient than standard code built houses, they can help reduce air pollution and lessen other environmental problems, such as climate change.