| Will my annual utility bills match my EnerGuide rating? | Will my annual utility bills match my EnerGuide rating? | http://rateourhome.ca/FAQs/Lists/FAQs/DispForm.aspx?ID=1 | <div class="ExternalClass46064AB6882147E4BF2B575EF659C759"><p>It is highly unlikely that your annual bills will exactly match your rating. Your EnerGuide Rating is developed through a computer simulation of a typical household in an average weather year. These calculations do not take your family’s unique usage patterns into account, but makes “average Canadian” assumptions about hot water use, ventilation, thermostat setting, etc, along with average weather assumptions for your home’s climate location. This makes it possible to compare your home to other homes.</p></div> |
| Can I get an EnerGuide rating on an existing home, or does it have to be new? | Can I get an EnerGuide rating on an existing home, or does it have to be new? | http://rateourhome.ca/FAQs/Lists/FAQs/DispForm.aspx?ID=2 | <div class="ExternalClassB30EEFF1FF9C49FCAA64C6D2D6A1CCFA"><p>You can certainly get an EnerGuide Rating on an older home! EnerGuide is designed to rate homes of any vintage in Canada. ENERGY STAR, on the other hand, is a certification designed only for new homes.</p></div> |
| How long does an EnerGuide rating last? | How long does an EnerGuide rating last? | http://rateourhome.ca/FAQs/Lists/FAQs/DispForm.aspx?ID=3 | <div class="ExternalClass062C1D2CD44A4BFFA0E3F422ED457480"><p>There is no time limit on an EnerGuide Rating. If nothing about a home’s energy characteristics have changed (mechanical systems, building envelope, windows etc) and the rating system software hasn’t changed significantly, then a rating is valid. However, if significant changes are made to a home, the rating should be updated if it is going to be displayed. Also, various utility and government programs and policies may prescribe a “due date” for an EnerGuide Rating, after which an old rating would not be considered for a program benchmark or target.</p></div> |
| Do I have to get an EnerGuide label when I buy, sell or renovate my home? | Do I have to get an EnerGuide label when I buy, sell or renovate my home? | http://rateourhome.ca/FAQs/Lists/FAQs/DispForm.aspx?ID=5 | <div class="ExternalClass0FFC511DDCD14F55B280E5775BE9AB10"><p>If you live in the City of Vancouver, you may need to get an EnerGuide label when you build a new home or renovate your existing home. <a target="_blank" href="http://vancouver.ca/files/cov/energuide-assessment-flow-chart.pdf"> more information</a> </p><p>There are no requirements to get an EnerGuide label anywhere in the rest of the Metro Vancouver region when buying or selling a home. Display of an EnerGuide label on the RateOurHome website is purely voluntary, but we recommend that you check in with your municipality to ensure there are no EnerGuide label requirements where you live.</p></div> |
| Can I get an EnerGuide rating for my condo or apartment unit? | Can I get an EnerGuide rating for my condo or apartment unit? | http://rateourhome.ca/FAQs/Lists/FAQs/DispForm.aspx?ID=6 | <div class="ExternalClass6026F8C3B1CB450EB163653DA6C0C5AA"><p>No. Unfortunately, EnerGuide is only available for single-family homes, duplexes and triplexes, row houses and low-rise, ground-oriented townhouses. </p></div> |
| Why is this a Metro Vancouver initiative? | Why is this a Metro Vancouver initiative? | http://rateourhome.ca/FAQs/Lists/FAQs/DispForm.aspx?ID=7 | <div class="ExternalClass874DB745556D470B94E87A12626DF124"><p>Metro Vancouver has adopted targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the region by 33% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. Buildings represent one-third of the region’s GHG emissions, and of that, single-family homes are responsible for 40% of the GHGs from buildings. Metro Vancouver believes that tackling GHGs from homes requires a culture shift – consumers need the tools to make sound decisions for their families and the environment. RateOurHomes.ca starts this conversation by creating awareness and making GHGs and energy use more visible and transparent for everyone.</p>
</div> |
| How does EnerGuide relate to ENERGY STAR®, R-2000, Built Green, or LEED®? | How does EnerGuide relate to ENERGY STAR®, R-2000, Built Green, or LEED®? | http://rateourhome.ca/FAQs/Lists/FAQs/DispForm.aspx?ID=8 | <div class="ExternalClass1BFA0865285E458CB4BB87DED44E1EB1"><p>EnerGuide is a rating system which provides a score based on a home’s modeled energy performance. An EnerGuide label in itself is not a guarantee of energy efficiency – you need a label with a good rating to ensure that it is energy efficient. </p><p> ENERGY STAR®, R-2000, Built Green and LEED® Canada for Homes are all certification labels based on specific program standards – they show that the home has met a certain benchmark of excellence. ENERGY STAR® and R-2000 are both standards administered by Natural Resources Canada. The other programs are run by different organizations. For more information, see individual program websites. </p><ul><li>
<a href="http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/efficiency/housing/new-homes/5057" target="_blank">ENERGY STAR® for New Homes Initiative in Canada </a> </li><li>
<a href="http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/efficiency/housing/new-homes/5051" target="_blank">R2000</a> </li><li>
<a href="http://www.builtgreencanada.ca/" target="_blank">Built Green</a> </li><li>
<a href="https://www.cagbc.org/%40/CAGBC/LEED/GreenHomes/CAGBC/Programs/LEED/GreenHomes/Green_Homes.aspx?hkey=c4fbaa4b-53e3-4694-8c42-67f570f84869" target="_blank">LEED® Canada for Homes</a></li></ul></div> |
| How does the new EnerGuide rating correspond to my old EnerGuide rating? | How does the new EnerGuide rating correspond to my old EnerGuide rating? | http://rateourhome.ca/FAQs/Lists/FAQs/DispForm.aspx?ID=9 | <div class="ExternalClassAA4F60134C284497BB3E20A7337CAAE0"><p>There is no simple way to convert between the old 0-100 scale and the new gigajoules per year scale. This is because the information that is used to calculate a home’s energy performance with the EnerGuide rating has changed quite significantly between the two versions of the rating system. The only valid way to see how your home rates under the updated EnerGuide system (known as the ERS v15, for 2015, when the system was initially released) is to have a new EnerGuide evaluation performed on your home by an energy advisor registered for the ERS v15 with NRCan. These energy advisors have completed all of the necessary new qualification exams to be able to deliver the ERS v15.</p>
<p>The old 0-100 rating was based on a calculation that demonstrated a home’s relative energy efficiency. The new scale provides a rated annual energy consumption and other useful information through improved house evaluation procedures, updated EnerGuide energy modelling software (called HOT2000) and a totally revamped label and reports.</p></div> |
| How does an old "EnerGuide 80" score compare with ratings under the updated EnerGuide system? | How does an old "EnerGuide 80" score compare with ratings under the updated EnerGuide system? | http://rateourhome.ca/FAQs/Lists/FAQs/DispForm.aspx?ID=10 | <div class="ExternalClassD548E9BBA1994147A8B26DFFA0536032"><p>There is no direct conversion gigajoules per year rating that can be applied to all homes that had an EnerGuide 80 under the old system. However, analysis performed by NRCan and the BC Ministry of Energy and Mines has shown that old EnerGuide 80 ratings achieve, on average, a score of 0%-10% better annual consumption on the new EnerGuide scale than “A Typical New House”. This typical new house on the ERS v15 rating label is a reference rating that is customized for every home rated under the updated EnerGuide system. It shows the rating that a house like yours would likely achieve if it were built to the minimum energy requirements of the National Building Code.</p></div> |
| My home is displayed on your map and I wish to take it down | My home is displayed on your map and I wish to take it down | http://rateourhome.ca/FAQs/Lists/FAQs/DispForm.aspx?ID=11 | <div class="ExternalClassF47E377B58CA44098CFA784576058D02"><p>If you are the current owner of a property displayed on this website who wishes that it be removed, you can contact us at
<a href="mailto:RateOurHome@metrovancouver.org">RateOurHome@metrovancouver.org</a> with a request for removal.</p></div> |
| I recently purchased a home that is displayed on this website. What should I do? | I recently purchased a home that is displayed on this website. What should I do? | http://rateourhome.ca/FAQs/Lists/FAQs/DispForm.aspx?ID=12 | <div class="ExternalClass6CADCCFACCA94878BF8731AB4C4C42D0"><p>If you are the new owner of a property displayed on this website, please contact us at
<a href="mailto:RateOurHome@metrovancouver.org">RateOurHome@metrovancouver.org</a> if you would like your property removed from the website, or simply to update your contact information.</p></div> |
| What services are included in the cost of an existing home EnerGuide evaluation? | What services are included in the cost of an existing home EnerGuide evaluation? | http://rateourhome.ca/FAQs/Lists/FAQs/DispForm.aspx?ID=13 | <div class="ExternalClass8DE6CE214BB94629A59075EF8A6EE97A"><p>Existing home EnerGuide evaluations are conducted before and after retrofits are completed. In the Lower Mainland, initial pre-retrofit evaluations typically range from $375 to $450. Post-retrofit assessments typically cost around $175 to $250. Larger homes, homes that require two blower door tests, and/or homes that require additional modelling work by the energy advisor will increase the typical prices. A number of activities are required to complete an existing home energy evaluation including: pre-retrofit home visit including measurements, documenting the existing insulation levels and mechanical equipment, blower door test, computer modeling, reporting, file processing, communicating about rebate programs; post-retrofit home visit including verification of upgrades, blower door test, computer modelling, file processing, and if applicable, submission of rebate applications. For more details, contact a certified energy advisor. </p></div> |
| What services are included in the cost of a new home EnerGuide evaluation? | What services are included in the cost of a new home EnerGuide evaluation? | http://rateourhome.ca/FAQs/Lists/FAQs/DispForm.aspx?ID=14 | <div class="ExternalClass9334BDF1C8484ADCA862C19B6287B08E"><p><span aria-hidden="true"></span>EnerGuide evaluations for new homes in the Lower Mainland can range from $400 to $900 depending on the size and type of home (a townhome or duplex versus a single family detached home) and whether the builder decides to comply with ENERGY STAR® requirements. A number of activities are required to complete a new home evaluation including: home plan review and computer modeling, reporting, file processing, builder registration and communications, site visit to conduct blower door testing, and if applicable, submission of rebate applications. A new home evaluation can take anywhere from 4 to 10 hours to complete and an additional 1 to 3 hours to complete the final site visit and modelling. For more details, contact a certified energy advisor.<span aria-hidden="true"></span></p></div> |
