PAGE 18
News Advertiser
NOVEMBER 2, 2016
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Province hammers out energy efficiencies in newbuildings
Government of Alberta
Starting this November, new buildings
in Alberta will be more energy efficient
and they will reduce green-
house gas emissions and cost
less to run.
Minister of Municipal Affairs
Danielle Larivee talks with
Richard Nault fromUrbanAge
Homes about improved energy
efficiencies in new home con-
struction
The Government of Alberta
has updated or adopted seven
new codes, including building,
energy, electrical, elevating
devices, gas, pressure vessels
and private sewage. All of
these codes include energy-
efficiency improvements to
help the province reduce its overall
greenhouse gas emissions.
“A more energy efficient home is a
comfortable home, one that keeps the
heat in, the cold out and money in your
pocket. These new requirements will
ensure that Alberta continues to be a
leader in the fight against climate change
and a competitor in the carbon-con-
strained economy.” -Danielle Larivee,
Minister of Municipal Affairs
Emissions from Alberta
houses and buildings were
responsible for 19 mega-
tonnes, or about seven per
cent, of Alberta’s greenhouse
gas emissions in 2014. These
code changes support the
province’sClimateLeadership
Plan by reducing greenhouse
gas emissions and creating
more modern and efficient
homes and businesses.
“These changes to the build-
ingcodeensure that theamount
of energy used by homeowners
and businesses will be perma-
nently reduced and the savings
will continue into the future. This is good for
the environment and good for anyone who
pays for electricity.” -Shannon Phillips,
Minister of Environment and Parks and
MinisterResponsiblefortheClimateChange
Office
The updated codes include energy effi-
ciency requirements for windows, light-
ing, building envelope, insulation, heat-
ing, service-water heating, ventilation
and air-conditioning.
Depending on the house design, the
National Research Council of Canada
estimates that switching to energy-efficient
windows can save homeowners up to 18
per cent on heating costs. This is because
energy-efficient windows are better insu-
lated and reduce or eliminate condensa-
tion on the interior surface of a window.
“CHBA members are leaders in innova-
tion, with many already meeting and
exceeding these new standards. With
industry staying at the forefront of new
technology, Albertans can be assured the
new home they purchase will be increas-
ingly energy efficient. We look forward to
continued innovation, while ensuring
homes remain affordable.” -Donna
Moore, CEO of the Canadian Home
Builders’ Association – Alberta
The codes also apply to all other new
buildings, including commercial, indus-
trial and high-rise buildings. They allow
for the safe use of new technologies that
reduce energy waste and combat climate
change. For example, elevator devices
codes now allow for variable speed escala-
tors andmoving walks. When the demand
or traffic is not present, the device senses
this and will slow down to a neutral speed
with minimum energy use.
“It’s great to see building code finally
stepping up to address energy efficiency.
When you build smart everyone wins.
Building responsibly and sustainably isn’t
a trend — it’s the future. We all have to
work together and do our part to make a
difference on climate change and make it
right.” -Mike Holmes, President of the
Holmes Group and host of Holmes on
Homes®, Holmes Inspection and Home
Free on FOX.
Starting Nov. 1, all new homes and build-
ings in Alberta must be built to meet or
exceed the updated codes. Alberta’s Safety
Codes Council has been providing train-
ing to inspectors across the province to
help them transition to the new codes.
“The new energy codes are an important
step forward for Albertans, and the Safety
Codes Council is proud to support them.
The Council’s training on the energy
codes will help safety codes officers inspect
new homes and businesses to these new
standards.” -Brian Alford, President and
CEO of the Alberta Safety Codes Council
These codes align Alberta with energy-
efficiency standards across the country
and position Alberta to be at the forefront
of energy efficiency in Canada.
