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Energy Star certification extended to new mid- and high-rise residential buildings in Ontario
October 24, 2018 - Amarjeet Sohi, Canada’s federal minister of natural resources, has announced independent Energy Star certification is now available, for the first time, for new mid- and high-rise residential buildings in Ontario.
October 24, 2018 By Peter Saunders
In a five-year pilot program, developed in collaboration with energy-efficient home certifier EnerQuality and the home building industry, Energy Star will recognize buildings that meet certain requirements, including designs that are at least 15% more energy-efficient than those built to the provincial code. Certified buildings will be registered with Energy Star’s Portfolio Manager benchmarking tool to monitor and manage their ongoing performance.
The program is intended to help builders adopt more energy-efficient practices when constructing new mid- and high-rise buildings. It is also expected to help create jobs in the areas of skilled construction, consulting and design. Certification should lead to lower operating costs, increased rental value, higher occupancy and greater engagement with clients and communities. And for tenants and homeowners, it will mean lower energy bills.
“With the increased construction of stacked townhouses and high-rises, I am proud to see Energy Star certification extended to multi-family high-rise buildings,” says Sohi. “This program will not only reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, but also stimulate innovation in the sector.”
The program was announced on Oct. 23, when Natural Resources Canada marked its third annual Energy Star Day, an event to raise awareness of the role of efficiency in saving energy.
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