A poll of Alberta consumers, commissioned by the Pembina Institute, NAIMA Canada and the Consumers Council of Canada, illustrates the very strong interest Albertans have in home energy efficiency and their support for an updated provincial building code.
96 per cent of Albertans surveyed responded that household energy conservation and energy efficiency in their homes are very important (59 per cent) or important (37 per cent), with 87 per cent supporting the provincial government implementing stronger energy efficiency standards for new homes.
"Albertans understand and are overwhelmingly supportive of increasing the energy efficiency of our homes. These polling results indicate that there is little political risk in the province updating the building code and putting Alberta on an energy efficiency leadership path," says Jesse Row, a director at the Pembina Institute.
A significant majority (87 per cent) of Albertans support the government enacting legislation that establishes more aggressive household energy efficiency levels. The average national EnerGuide rating of new homes in Canada is 76, but Alberta's current average is only 71. Albertans can judge their politicians' performance in the scheduled review of the Alberta building code, when they consider that British Columbia's rating is 77 and Ontario's is 78-80.
"Energy efficiency has become a base standard consumers expect in a new home," says Consumers Council of Canada president Don Mercer. "Canadians understand the negative impact on their pocketbooks posed by rising energy prices. They are embracing choices that are good for the environment, increase their comfort and lower energy bills."
"This research clearly shows that Albertans see value in an energy efficient home," says Stephen Koch, executive director, NAIMA Canada. "Canadians know that energy efficiency means saving money. If the government of Alberta matches the energy efficiency standards in building codes in other leading provinces, new home owners in Alberta could save up to $625 a year."