EnerMax Homes Commits To Waste Diversion Program.

March 06 2008

EnerMax Homes has developed a waste management program that will see up to 75% of all waste created during the construction process diverted to a construction waste recycling center. The program targets specific recyclable waste such as wood off cuts, cardboard, paper, plastic and shingles for recycling. Waste is sorted on site and delivered to an approved municipal construction debris waste facility. This waste is then recycled into a variety of products, some of which are used in the construction industry and used in the construction of your new home. This waste management program coupled with the fact that an EnerMax Home will produce up to 5 tons less green house gas emissions per year and use up to 30% less energy means you can take comfort in knowing that not only will you save money every month on reduced energy costs but you are taking steps to reduce your impact on the environment as well.

What is EnerGuide for New Houses?

February 13 2008
http://www.nshba.ns.ca/energuide.html

Developed by the Office of Energy Efficiency of Natural Resources Canada, EnerGuide for New Houses is a rating system that will help you understand the energy efficiency of your new home. It will help to determine how much your annual heating costs will be each year and provide you with an energy rating between 1 and 100.

Anyone can claim that a house is energy efficient, but an EnerGuide for New Houses label proves it. The label gives you an estimate of the electricity, natural gas or oil that you can expect to consume each year. But remember that energy consumption estimates are just that – estimates. The estimate for your home is based on a number of standard assumptions, such as a family of four living in the home and specific thermostat settings and usage rates for hot water, lighting and appliances.

In order to have an evaluation done on your new home, submit your enrolment form, house plans and $250+HST fee to the Nova Scotia Home Builders’ Association office. Once this is done, an energy advisor will be contacted to perform the evaluation and testing.

What will EnerGuide for New Houses do for me?

Energy costs are at an all-time high and are only increasing with each passing year. The EnerGuide for New Houses program is one way that you can pre-determine what your energy usage will be right from the time of construction, a significant advantage to the homeowner.

Are there any other incentives?

If your new house receives an EnerGuide rating of 77 or higher you will be eligible for a $250 rebate. Cheques will be sent directly to the new home owner or builder by Conserve Nova Scotia. Starting January 16, 2007, if your new house receives an EnerGuide rating of 80, you are eligible for a further incentive of $500. If your home has a rating of 77 or greater you will also be eligible for a 10 per cent rebate on your CMHC Mortgage Loan Insurance and be eligible for a 35-year mortgage plan at participating financial institutions.

What is in the Future of EnerGuide for New Houses?

The Province of Nova Scotia wants to make all new homes more energy efficient. A proposal to increase the energy efficient standards in new houses was released Jan. 16, by Bill Dooks, Minister responsible for Conserve Nova Scotia, at the ENERhouse 2007 conference in Halifax.

“The houses we build today will have the same energy requirements 15, 30 even 50 years down the road,” said Mr. Dooks. “We can help consumers save on long-term energy costs and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by improving our energy building codes today.”

Under the Proposed “80 by 11” initiative, new homes could be required to display an EnerGuide rating by 2008. The EnerGuide rating system is measured on a scale of 1 to 100. No minimum standards exist, but the average energy rating of a home in Nova Scotia is 67.

Beginning in 2009, all new homes could be required to achieve an energy rating of 72. In 2010, the minimum rating would increase to 77. In 2011, the minimum would be 80.

EnerGuide Program

February 13 2008
http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/equipment/english/index.cfm

EnerGuide is a Natural Resources Canada initiative that helps consumers purchase the most energy-efficient equipment on the market. We strive to increase public awareness of the link between energy and the environment and to promote the opportunities opened up by energy-efficient technology.

The EnerGuide label is a tool to help you make an energy-wise choice when buying a new appliance. It shows how much energy appliances consume in a year of normal service and makes it easy to compare the energy efficiency of each model to others of the same size and class.

Consumers

Is your old appliance coming back into style? It might look like new models now on the market, but the similarity ends there. The extra energy it takes to power an old appliance costs you more than it’s worth. Today’s machines do the job better, are quieter and, best of all, are more energy-efficient. Find out how much you are spending to keep that old appliance going

Every time you use an appliance you spend money. Calculate how much you are going to spend before you buy using EnerGuide’s Interactive Energy Cost Calculator.

The type of appliance you choose says something about the life you lead. It’s possible to spend your money without compromising your values. Make a decision that will benefit your family, your finances and the future

New appliances last for years, it’s worth paying a little more up-front knowing you’ll have extra money in your wallet at the end of every month. If you’re only comparing sticker prices, you might not be getting a bargain

EnerGuide HVAC Energy Efficiency Rating System

The EnerGuide Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Energy Efficiency Rating System provides consumers with all the information needed to purchase energy-efficient home heating and air conditioning products and provides contractors with the tools to increase sales and valuable information on how to join Team HVAC.

Consumers can find out how to lower energy bills and protect the environment. Compare the energy efficiency of home heating and air conditioning products using the EnerGuide HVAC Rating.

Contractors can fnd out about the EnerGuide HVAC Rating System and how to benefit by joining Team HVAC.