Benefits of EnerGuide labelling your NEW home for sale
The EnerGuide Label helps buyers identify better, more energy efficient, homes. There are a number of reasons to obtain and display an EnerGuide label on a newly constructed home.
Credibility
EnerGuide is third-party verified, government backed, and nationally recognized. Displaying EnerGuide indicates credibility and legitimacy
See behind the drywall
Many energy efficiency products and techniques are invisible to homebuyers – insulation and effective air sealing, energy efficient windows, and ultra-efficient water or space heating systems are examples. A low (better) EnerGuide Rating is the best way to prove that your home is built to high performance energy standards.
Quality
An EnerGuide label with a good rating tells buyers that this home is more durable, comfortable and healthy, more economical to operate and may have lower maintenance costs in the long term.
Market recognition / Meeting Consumer Demand
Homebuyers are becoming more energy savvy. A 2015 survey of homebuyers in the region found that 80% of buyers want to see an EnerGuide label on a listing and 62% would pay more for an energy efficient home.
New homes rate higher
Since the building code increases energy efficiency requirements over time, new homes that are built to code should have EnerGuide ratings that are very competitive with similar homes of an older vintage.
Access builder incentives
Increasingly, cities and utilities are requiring an EnerGuide Rating or an ENERGY STAR® for New Home’s certification as a condition to access incentives. In these cases, we encourage voluntary display of the EnerGuide label on RateOurHome.ca. The section below describes the current programs and requirement using EnerGuide.
Compliance
Increasingly, cities are requiring new buildings to meet certain energy efficiency standards and an EnerGuide Rating is often required. In these cases, we encourage voluntary display of the EnerGuide label on RateOurHome.ca.
Book an EnerGuide Evaluation now
Metro Vancouver Municipalities with EnerGuide Programs or Requirements
There are a number of programs or bylaws operating in the Metro Vancouver region that require an EnerGuide Rating.
City of Vancouver
New Homes
All new single and multi-family homes are required to obtain an EnerGuide evaluation during the design and inspection stages of the home.
Learn more about the City of Vancouver’s requirements for EnerGuide.
Existing Home Renovations
Some single and multi-family homes undergoing renovations are required to obtain an EnerGuide evaluation if their project meets certain criteria.
See this flowchart to find out if your project requires an EnerGuide evaluation.
City of North Vancouver
All new homes under 4 storeys that are built above the base density threshold are required to comply with certain energy requirements, including an EnerGuide evaluation, as part of the design and inspection stages of the home.
See this flowchart to find out if these requirements apply to your project.
City of Richmond
All new applications for townhouse rezoning are required to adopt higher energy efficiency standards.
Click here for more details.
Township of Langley
The Green Building Permit Rebate Program offers building permit rebates to builders who voluntarily construct a new energy efficient single family dwelling, townhouse, row house, manor house, or duplex.
An EnerGuide evaluation is required to access the Township's rebates.
Visit Township of Langley's website for more info.
City of New Westminster
High Performance New Homes
Local homebuilders, designers or homeowners seeking to build a new home can receive a free EnerGuide Rating System (ERS) evaluation. This includes consultation with an energy advisor, modeling to evaluate house plans, as well as technical energy coaching. The program also covers the cost of a pre-drywall blower door test.more on high performance new homes
Existing Homes
Local homeowners that register in the program have access to a full suite of benefits that include subsidized energy assessments, technical energy coaching and utility rebates that together make it easier to improve the energy performance of an existing home. more on existing homes
