Online map lets local homebuyers compare houses’ energy efficiency

City of Edmonton offers $400 rebate for residents signing on to EnerGuide program

Edmonton homebuyers have a new tool to learn how energy efficient a house is when they’re making their buying decision. The EnerGuide for Homes pilot program involves an evaluation where properties are assigned an EnerGuide rating for energy efficiency.

An EnerGuide evaluation provides information about a dwelling’s energy performance that can be used to make decisions regarding operating, renovating or purchasing a home. Homeowners can sign up to share their energy rating and label on Edmonton’s EnerGuide for Homes map.

Mike Mellross, senior project manager for the Energy Transition Strategy, said the program is expected to help homeowners understand the energy performance of their property, learn how to prioritize home improvements and to make the most out of rebate and incentive programs for energy efficiency.

“As more people share their labels, we can build energy literacy in the community and make energy efficiency easier to understand and more valuable,” he said in a release.

For a limited time, the City of Edmonton is providing a $400 rebate to owners of existing homes who have had an EnerGuide evaluation done, and who sign up to share their EnerGuide information on the map. Evaluation costs vary and are available from a number of private providers across the city.

James Mabey, chairman of the Realtors Association of Edmonton, said capital improvements to homes that result in energy efficiency have always been on the radar for real estate agents.

“This new program provides an easy tool that we can refer our clients to and really inform themselves,” he said.

Coun. Ben Henderson said in a news release that residential energy efficiency programs have been popular in the city and speaks to the desire of Edmontonians to reduce their carbon footprint.

“Improving the energy efficiency of new and existing homes is one of the ways that we can all reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and tackle climate change,” he said.

More information about the program is available at ace.edmonton.ca/energuide.

ED KAISER Kent Mohn, vice-president of operations at Sun Ridge, an energy advisory company, demonstrates a pressurized blower door testing for airtightness after the launch of a voluntary EnerGuide for Homes. The new citywide program is aimed at helping...