As of November 2016, the Alberta Building Code has adopted section 9.36, Energy Efficiency, requiring stricter construction practices of new homes to ensure higher energy efficiency levels are met. The code applies to all residential new construction and major renovations and additions. There are three paths to compliance:

1. The Prescriptive Compliance Pathway uses a checklist approach to ensure that minimum requirements in the energy code are met. This method is the most straightforward, as energy efficiency requirements are listed by building component, including mechanical/ventilation requirements and minimum effective R-values for all wall, ceiling and foundation assemblies. The Prescriptive Path can net significant savings to high volume home builders that use consistent construction specifications. 
2. The Trade-off Path allows more flexibility in the design as it allows you to trade elements within the above ground building envelope to demonstrate an equivalent level of performance without meeting every prescriptive requirement found in 9.36.2. The Trade-Off path requires a calculation to demonstrate that while the proposed design does not exactly meet the prescriptive requirements, the amount of energy consumed will be the same or less than would be consumed by following strict prescriptive compliance.
3. The Performance Compliance Pathway compares the modeled energy consumption of the proposed house to the modeled energy consumption of an identical reference house. The proposed house is in compliance if its modeled energy consumption is lower than or equal to that of the Code Reference house. Once construction of the house is complete, a blower door test is performed and a Natural Resources Canada EnerGuide Rating System label is issued.
4. The EnerGuide Rating System for New Homes Compliance offers the same design flexibility as the Performance Path but also includes EnerGuide labelling. A blower door test must be completed for all homes and the home’s rating must be minimum 5% better than a typical new home. 

What is an EnerGuide Rating?

An EnerGuide Rating and Label demonstrate the energy performance of your home. It estimates the net amount of energy a home consumes in a year. Our energy advisors produce a rating by collecting house information during an on-site evaluation and entering the data into Natural Resources Canada’s energy simulation software, HOT2000. The calculation uses standard operating conditions to ensure the rating focuses on the house rather than the occupants’ behaviours. 

An EnerGuide evaluation can help you make informed decisions when operating, renovating or purchasing a home. An evaluation is the first step to help you better understand your home’s energy usage so you can make the best energy efficiency choices to save on utility costs and improve the comfort of your home. 

Planning to renovate? An evaluation will help you make informed decisions on which upgrades work best for your home, how to prioritize them and which upgrades will save you most on energy costs. There is no obligation to undertake the recommended upgrades, our advisors simply provide a non-biased consulting service that provides you with the best information on how to increase the energy efficiency and comfort of your home. 

Purchasing a home? Look for the EnerGuide label on the electrical panel to get a snapshot of the home’s energy performance. 

What is included in an EnerGuide evaluation?

During the on-site evaluation, our advisors will collect the following information:

• A complete review of the building envelope (windows, doors, ceilings, walls, foundation)
  • Visual inspection and measurement to determine surface area and insulation levels
• A complete review of mechanical systems (heating system, air conditioning system, ventilation system, and domestic hot water)
• Blower door test
  • Depressurization test where required (combustion spillage)
  • Measurement of air changes per hour at 50 Pa
  • Location of major air leakage areas
• • Compared to a new home built to 2010 NBC National Building Code
  • Individual recommended upgrades with associated potential energy savings
  • ERS certified label for your home as it currently stands
  • Intensity rating of your home energy modelling of all components to determine the energy efficiency of your home