Warning: Undefined array key "HTTP_REFERER" in /homepages/6/d125890587/htdocs/Client/HuffStrategy/MediaManager/ReadRelease.php on line 34
New Ontario Building Code on the right track – Implementing changes sooner is the challenge - Environmental Communication Options/Huff Strategy

New Ontario Building Code on the right track – Implementing changes sooner is the challenge

Jun 29th, 2006 10:22 AM

(Mississauga, June 29, 2006) The Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance (CEEA) applauds the first step towards the modernization of the Ontario Building Code (OBC). The new regulations are a significant improvement over the regressive steps taken in 1997 by Minister Al Leach which included the removal of full height basement insulation. Ken Elsey, President and CEO of the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance expressed both keen support and some disappointment, saying, “Real progress has been promised, and the Ontario government’s commitment to energy efficiency and conservation is clear. But I am disappointment because the benefits associated with the changes to the OBC will not be fully realized for five years.” He cautioned that, “By delaying the implementation of full height basement insulation in the 60,000 (plus) new homes built annually in Ontario will result in an unnecessary heating cost of $32 million dollars and over 120,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases over the next two years.*” Elsey observed, “We see promises such as reinstating full height basement insulation into the OBC in 2009 and EnerGuide 80 in 2011 as validation of the value of our submissions to the government. Let’s not forget that increases in ceiling insulation, adoption of energy efficient windows and similar advances are good for the Province of Ontario, homeowners and manufacturers.” Elsey concluded, “If in place today the details of this modernization of the OBC would be, best in class in North America. But there is no doubt that several other provinces will be far ahead of Ontario before we see this program fully implemented. CEEA is committed to ensuring that the potential benefits of these changes can be shared by Ontarians sooner.” -30- For more information contact: Ken Elsey Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance (416) 558-8735 kenelsey@energyefficiency.org CEEA is the leading independent voice in Canada to promote and advance energy efficiency and its related benefits to the economy and the environment. Established in 1995 to respond to the need for a coordinated multi-stakeholder effort to promote energy efficiency in Canada, leading to enhanced competitiveness and improved environmental protection, the Alliance works in partnership with manufacturers, utilities, governments, builders, labour, consumer groups, and environmental organizations to facilitate the adoption of energy efficiency measures in Canada. * Estimates of energy consumption if/when full height basement insulation is not in place and based upon a home in Toronto (2x4 Frame, Bricked single family home): You would be losing savings of fuel at 13gj/yr on every house (per year) built over the 2 year period and lose GHG of .675 tonnes/yr on every house. So based upon 60,000 (in Ontario) houses a year accumulative savings would be based upon 60,000 first year and 60,000 second year plus the additional savings of homes built the first year. That would calculate to 13gj/yr x (60,000x3) 180,000 = 2.34 million gigajoules. Total for GHG is based on .675 tonnes/home X 180,000 = 121,500 tonnes Cost estimate based on Hot2000 program and natural gas at 57 cents per cubic metre. This represents 32 million dollars of wasted energy for heating (does not include cooling). This represents a saving of roughly $180.00 per home per year.