Bill proposed energy ratings when homes sold

Provincial legislators expressed support for a private members' bill that would make energy-efficiency audits mandatory for all home sellers.

The Home Energy Rating Act, if passed by Queen's Park, would require anyone selling a house or low-rise building to disclose the results of a home-energy audit to prospective buyers.

Sellers of new homes would also have to supply energy-efficiency ratings before making a sale.

"I think we've got all-party support for this," said Liberal backbencher Phil McNeely, who introduced the bill.

McNeely said homebuyers are looking at energy prices and becoming increasingly concerned about the higher cost of owning a home, not just buying it.

He said efficiency ratings will spur greater demand for new and resale homes that use less energy, ultimately increasing their property value compared with less-efficient homes and pressuring new home builders to go beyond the minimum standards in the building code.

"We totally endorse this bill," said Peter Hwang, co-founder and chief executive of Toronto-based EnWise Power Solutions Inc., which does home energy audits and retrofit work for homeowners.

"If it does anything it heightens awareness of energy efficiency, making it one of the most important ways of improving a home,'' he said.

Ken Elsey, president of the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance, called it "the most significant piece of legislation in years" because it uncovers the true cost of home ownership and will pressure sellers to do efficiency upgrades before they put their property on the market.

"It will also serve as an economic and employment stimulus," said Elsey, referring to the increased demand for energy auditors, retro-fitters and energy-efficient appliances and materials.

The requirement would apply to all newly built homes in 2010, followed in 2011 by detached, semi-detached and multi-unit residential buildings put on the market for resale.

In 2012, those leasing buildings would also have to supply the ratings.

McNeely said the bill passed its second reading and now goes to committee, where most private members' bills end up dying.

He's counting on Energy and Infrastructure Minister George Smitherman to carry it from there.

"If the minister likes it, then he could pick it up and put it into legislation fairly quickly," McNeely added.

Related News

biden-imposes-higher-tariffs

Biden Imposes Higher Tariffs on Chinese Electric Cars and Solar Cells

WASHINGTON - In a significant move aimed at bolstering domestic industries and addressing trade imbalances, the Biden administration has announced higher tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars and solar cells. This decision marks a strategic shift in U.S. trade policy, reflecting concerns over competition, intellectual property rights, and national security implications.

Tariffs on Electric Cars

The imposition of tariffs on Chinese electric cars comes amidst growing competition in the global electric vehicle (EV) market. U.S. automakers and policymakers have raised concerns about unfair trade practices, subsidies, and market access barriers faced by American EV manufacturers in China. The tariffs aim to…

READ MORE
usa grid

Coronavirus and the U.S. grid: What to know

READ MORE

nb power

Electricity subsidies to pulp and paper mills to continue, despite NB Power's rising debt

READ MORE

Jacob Rees-Mogg

UK families living close to nuclear power stations could get free electricity

READ MORE

indian electricity

OPINION Rewiring Indian electricity

READ MORE