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EnerGuide for New Houses

A Rating System for the New Home Program

EnerGuide for New Houses was developed by The Office of Energy Efficiency of Natural Resources Canada to help Canadians improve the energy efficiency of their houses.

An EnerGuide for New Houses rating is a standard measure of a home's energy performance. The home's energy efficiency level is rated on a scale of 0 to 100. A rating of 0 represents a home with major air leakage, no insulation and extremely high energy consumption. A rating of 100 represents a house that is airtight, well insulated, sufficiently ventilated and requires no purchased energy.

Type of House

EnerGuide for Houses Rating

Older house not upgraded

0 to 50

Upgraded older house

51 to 65

Energy-efficient upgraded older or typical new house

66 to 74

Energy-efficient new house

75 to 79

Highly energy-efficient new house

80 to 90

House that uses little or no purchased energy (an "Advanced House")

91 to 100

Based on its energy efficiency, a home will receive an EnerGuide rating and be recognized as a Power Smart home.

Ratings are calculated by professional EnerGuide for New Houses advisors who analyze building plans, provide upgrade recommendations to improve energy efficiency, and complete a test to confirm the air tightness of the home once it has been built.

The final EnerGuide rating and Power Smart label on a home shows buyers that the home is more energy efficient than others. It also shows that the builder/developer has met the commitment you made to your customer to provide the specified level of energy efficiency in the home.

Internet Links

The Office of Energy Efficiency