Better Building Code

“B.C. learned from its construction crisis and brought in tougher standards and more protection for homebuyers. Ontario, too, has enacted high standards and better warranties for its citizens. But in Alberta, where boom-and-bust cycles are the norm, the province still has not mandated builders to provide new home warranties.

It makes no sense that Albertans purchase warranties for their iPods and cellphones, but are often unaware they don’t have a warranty on their new home — the biggest purchase of their lives. Albertans require a warranty program of sufficient duration that it covers mould and moisture issues that typically don’t become evident for several years.

The current minister, Hector Goudreau, vowed last August to introduce legislation this spring to deal with the issue. Albertans may be just a little bit skeptical, since his predecessor promised action by the summer of 2009.

The spring sitting of the legislature begins Feb. 22. It is time to deliver.”
Full article on the Edmonton Journal website.

To all Albertans,
Re: A New Year’s message to home owners and prospective home owners
What do you mean – new homes are built better in Ontario?
Yes it’s true! If you’re living in Alberta and are about to purchase a new home…you just might be paying too much.
We all know that there’s a friendly rivalry between Alberta and Ontario…and for the most part it’s fun. It could even be exciting if the Leafs or the Argos could get their game together!
But when it comes to the purchase of a new home – be careful, very careful. You see, if you purchase a new home built strictly to the Alberta Building Code, the same house would not be allowed to be sold in Ontario, as well as in B.C., Manitoba or Nova Scotia.
Why? Because the Alberta Building Code is out of date and its energy efficiency standards have not been updated for 30 years.
Alberta has fallen behind in home energy efficiency. What this means to you is that new houses being sold cost 35% more to heat and cool for as long as you own them. Is that what you expect when making the biggest purchase of your life? It’s just not right.
Despite what the builders say, the cost of making your new home energy efficient isn’t really much of a premium…in most cases you can get that efficiency for less than $5,000. That may cost you $20 more per month on your mortgage…but it could save you much more on your utility bill each month!
Why not ask your home builder how in Ontario, Manitoba, B.C. or Nova Scotia they can build a more energy efficient home? Better yet, write your Member of Legislative Assembly and insist on better building codes in Alberta. Delaying on energy efficiency hurts us all.
After all, Albertans are # 1 in energy production – being # 1 in energy efficiency is well within our reach. The energy we save is energy that we can sell to others.
It’s time.

Stephen Koch
Chair, Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance
www.energyefficiency.org