Province Launches Guide to Building Energy Efficient Homes

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador continues its commitment to improving energy efficiency and responding to climate change with the development of a user guide for building more energy efficient homes. The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for the Office of Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Emissions Trading, released the guide today at the Canadian Home Builders Association NL Housing Forum.

“The guide provides details on the various methods and materials that can be used to build more energy efficient houses broken down by regions of the province,” said Minister Hedderson. “Building more sustainably benefits everyone by lowering fuel bills, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping to tackle climate change.”

Supporting municipalities and contractors in understanding the most recent changes to the National Building Code, the guide breaks down how to apply the changes, depending on where you live in the province.

“This guide will assist members of the home building community while helping home owners to understand the benefits of energy efficient buildings,” said Darren O’Keefe, President of the NL Chapter of the Canadian Home Builders Association. “The new housing market is a significant contributor to our economy, and consumers are increasingly demanding more energy efficient products.”

Municipalities will adopt the code changes through their regular business processes and can use the guide as a tool to help ensure compliance with the National Building Code.

“This will be a useful tool as municipalities are required to adopt changes to the National Building Code,” said Churence Rogers, President of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador. “It will be a helpful tool to municipalities when advising residents and contractors of requirements to follow the code through the issuance of building permits.”

Budget 2013: A Sound Plan, A Secure Future continued its support for towns and communities by helping them plan and prepare for climate change events, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency.

Fulfilling commitments of Moving Forward: Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2011, the Provincial Government continues to implement its strategic approach and vision on adapting to the impacts of climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The guide is available at www.turnbackthetide.ca 

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Backgrounder
National Building Code of Canada Changes

The Guide to Building Energy Efficient Homes was developed to complement the changes to The National Building Code of Canada (NBC) and addresses the design and construction of new buildings and the substantial renovation of existing buildings. The NBC is developed by the Canada Commission on Building and Fire Codes.

All the requirements in the NBC are linked to one of five objectives, namely, safety, health, accessibility, fire and structural protection of buildings and, as of December 2012, energy efficiency. A complete update of the NBC is published every five years and amendments added to the latest version. The most recent version of the NBC, published in 2010, was amended in December 2012 when energy efficiency requirements were included in it for the first time.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s Municipalities Act, 1999 and corresponding legislation for cities requires that municipal councils adopt the NBC and supplements or amendments to the NBC when making regulations concerning the design, construction and alteration of buildings.

Implementation of the new energy efficiency requirements for residential homes is now required under the Municipalities Act, 1999.

Improving the energy efficiency of new houses and buildings is one of the most effective ways to reduce energy consumption and lower operating costs by reducing fuel bills. It also brings additional benefits such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Give the technical nature of the changes to the NBC, government has worked with municipalities and CHBA-NL to develop a Guide to the changes. The guide is not meant to replace the Code but it is meant to help inform building designers, contractors, municipalities and individuals constructing their own house about the changes in a user-friendly format.

The guide has two parts. Part one is a non-technical guide targeted at those with little or no prior knowledge or understanding of the issues who want to learn more. Part two is targeted at more informed audiences, like builders or engineers, who are interested in more detail.

The guide uses relevant real world examples and case studies to help illustrate key points and bring the issues to life.

2013 05 08                 9:45 a.m.