Support Home Energy Labelling at Time of Sale

By Peter Sundberg on July 15, 2010

When choosing a vehicle, you can compare the fuel efficiency of different models. When buying appliances, you can compare the energy efficiency of different brands.

But when you buy a home, which can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year to heat, can you compare the energy efficiency of different houses? With an energy assessment and an EnerGuide rating, you can.

Your help is needed now to show the province of BC that there is support for Home Energy Labelling at Time of Sale.

Add your name to the growing list of supporters to show the Provincial Government that BC is ready for Home Energy Labelling at Time of Sale now, and forward this message to your contacts.

Read the new Support Home Energy Labelling in BC blog.

Key Benefits of Home Energy Labelling at the Time of Sale:

Consumer Benefits
Provides Full and Frank Disclosure:

  • Homebuyers get independent, third party information about home energy costs (‘second price tag’) - similar to car and appliance labelling

Reward Energy Efficiency:

  • Energy-efficient homes increase in sellablility and value
  • Homebuyers qualify for green mortgages and other incentives
  • Homeowners benefit from an average 20-30% post-retrofit savings on energy bills

Social Benefits

  • Environment: reduces carbon emissions, improves air quality
  • Energy: helps create ‘conservation culture’, reduces need for energy supply infrastructure
  • Job and business opportunities: stimulates local employment in ‘ green-collar’ home energy retrofit sector and increases household spending power by reducing energy bills
  • Market transformation: establishes energy efficiency in the mainstream real estate market

Home energy labeling at time of sale is being advanced in Europe, the USA, Australia, the UK and other countries around the world. BC needs to catch up to these world leaders, and take a leadership role in energy efficiency and climate action.