Energy efficiency is ‘important’ among 84 percent of new home buyers

Sep 13th, 2006 8:36 AM

EnerQuality Corporation releases 2005 GTA/Ottawa-Carleton new home buyer survey (Toronto, September 13, 2006) EnerQuality Corporation, in an independent survey of 1,830 home buyers of new, low-rise homes in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and the Ottawa-Carlton regions, found that an astounding 84 percent of respondents said energy efficiency is ‘important’ to them, and 9 out of 10 respondents said their next home will be an energy efficient one. Lower energy bills were cited as the most important reason for buying an energy efficient home. Being environmentally friendly came in second, while getting a better quality home was third. “I am not surprised to see that saving money is the number one reason behind the growing demand for energy efficient housing,” says Corey McBurney, Managing Director of EnerQuality Corporation, which oversees Natural Resources Canada’s ENERGY STAR® for New Homes Initiative in Ontario. “Home builders have been telling us for some time that home buyers want to protect themselves against rising energy costs. This is confirmed by home buyers actively seeking out builders that offer ENERGY STAR qualified homes.” What’s more, 4 out of 5 new home owners agreed that paying up-front for energy efficiency is worth it. “When you look at the monthly cost of a home, including mortgage payments and energy costs, an ENERGY STAR qualified home costs less per month to own than a home built to the minimum Ontario building code requirements,” says McBurney. “Energy efficiency really is a smart buy.” Since ENERGY STAR for New Homes was launched in January 2005, 140 builders in Ontario have joined. These builders are in the process of constructing 2,500 ENERGY STAR qualified homes. “Builders have joined the program because the ENERGY STARlabel on their house guarantees to their customers that it is one of the most energy efficient available on the market today,” says McBurney. The government backed label is earned only after a home's energy efficiency has met stringent performance standards and is third-party tested. ENERGY STAR makes energy efficiency simple by giving consumers the confidence that they are making a truly informed decision. “The survey results support that ENERGY STAR for New Homes couldn’t have come at a better time,” concludes McBurney. “Through the hard work of participating home builders, energy professionals, engaged corporations like Ozz Corporation, DuPont Tyvek and Owens Corning and the leadership of both the provincial and federal governments, the culture of conservation and the transformation of Ontario’s new home market is well underway.” -30- For more information or survey details, contact Brent Kulba, ECO (EnerQuality Media Relations), 416-972-7401 Backgrounder The 2006 EnerQuality Study included 1,830 new home buyers in the GTA and Ottawa-Carleton regions. The findings are as follows: • 84% say energy efficiency is important (33% consider energy efficiency as ‘extremely important’ and 51% as ‘somewhat important’) • 9 out of 10 respondents say their next home will be an energy efficient one (36% ‘definitely will’ and 55% ‘probably will’) • 4 in 5 new home owners strongly agree that paying for energy efficiency up-front is worth it • Of the respondents who say they purchased an energy efficient home, 62% rated ‘lower energy bills’ as the most import reason for buying an energy efficient home; 15% rated ‘more environmentally friendly’ as the most important; 14% ‘better quality home’; 5% ‘improved comfort’; and 4% ‘higher resale value’ • 50% say they purchased an energy efficient home • 89% believe builders should build energy efficient homes as the standard • Of the respondents who say they purchased an energy efficient home, 89% purchased an energy efficient furnace; 79% purchased energy efficient appliances; 66% purchased energy efficient windows; 54% purchased energy efficient lighting; 31% purchased increased insulation; 30% purchased airtight construction; and 11% purchased a heat recovery ventilator The GTA and Ottawa-Carleton regions are defined as: GTA: City of Toronto, Durham Region, Halton Region, Peel Region, York Region Ottawa-Carleton: Arnprior, Barrhaven, City of Ottawa, Cumberland, Gloucester, South Cloucester, Kanata, Manotick, Nepean, Orleans, Richmond, Stittsville ENERGY STAR® for New Homes is a label given to homes that meet balanced, whole-house, energy-efficiency standards, guaranteeing their owners significant energy savings. New homes that receive the ENERGY STAR label are 30-40 percent more energy efficient than those built to the minimum Ontario building code standards. The ENERGY STAR mark is a registered trademark of the United States EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) administered and promoted in Canada by Natural Resources Canada. -30- For more information or survey details, contact Brent Kulba, ECO (EnerQuality Media Relations), 416-972-7401

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Energy efficiency is ‘important’ among 84 percent of new home buyers

Sep 13th, 2006 8:36 AM