“All homes certified Energy Efficient by the New Homes Program perform 25 per cent better as opposed to current code requirements, at minimum.” – ALLISON LUND
“Keeping conditioned air inside the house is critically important for comfort, energy efficiency, mois- ture control and contributes to healthy indoor air quality,” Lund points out. Since Efficiency Manitoba’s incep- tion as a Crown corporation in April 2020, Lund reflects on the changes to the provincial energy landscape. “Time sure flies when you’re saving energy, money and the environment, and it’s hard to believe it’s been five years already,” she says. “From pandemic-era shifts to how and where we work, signifi- cant weather and climate events and conversations around utility capacity to meet our province’s future energy demands, Efficiency Manitoba has been hard at work growing our brand, launching new rebate programs and working with our suppliers to create green jobs that grow the local economy. We’ve made significant gains with each passing year, but there’s still more work to do.” Lund offers some tips for those considering a new build who strive to be energy efficient, yet without placing too much strain on finan- cial realities.
“We like use the phrase ‘design with energy efficiency in mind.’ Some of the most important details are made early on in the design stage of a new home,” Lund says. “This is why we promote the trans- parency of energy modelling. We also provide official energy labels for all the homes that participate in the New Homes Program so builders and homebuyers can see docu- mented results.” For those ready to take the plunge by entering into a new home build journey, Clarkson advises joining forces with the builder to discuss energy efficiency on Day 1. “It’s easy to get caught up in the exciting aspects of building a home, like finishes and the ‘fun’ stuff. But you can also lose track of other goals in the process,” Clarkson says. “Now that we are moved in and settled, I’m happy we made the choices we did. In my opinion, building an energy-efficient home pays for itself over the long run.”
“It’s not all-or-nothing,” Lund assures. Can’t afford to go net zero? Even modest changes can make a meaningful difference in a new home. For example, airtightness is often the most cost-effective way to improve building energy efficiency, delivering significant energy savings at a low incre- mental cost. She says buyers should care- fully research the many available programs, grants and offers for buyers of energy-efficient homes. CMHCs EcoPlus program is one such offer. It allows homebuyers to apply for a 25 per cent mort- gage premium refund if they’re CMHC insured and buying or building an energy-efficient home. Municipalities, not-for-profits and cultural associations sometimes have their own programs as well. New homebuyers with Indigenous or Métis ancestry can contact their representative organizations to learn about additional supports that may be available.
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