A new proposed private members”” bill could soon make energy-efficiency audits mandatory for all homes on sale in Ontario, Canada. The bill has already found support from provincial legislators.
Once passed, the bill would require any homes put on sale in the province to first undergo a home-energy audit and the results of the same to be disclosed to prospective buyers. The same would also apply to new homes. The bill would allow increasingly energy conscious homebuyers to rest assured about the energy efficiency of the property they are buying.
“I think we””ve got all-party support for this,” said Liberal backbencher Phil McNeely, who introduced the bill. In his opinion, the energy ratings will increase the demand and sales of homes that are more energy efficient and thus less costly. It will also pressurise new home builders to improve their building standards.
The bill has found widespread support. According to Peter Hwang, co-founder and chief executive of Toronto-based energy audit firm EnWise Power Solutions Inc., the bill increases awareness of energy efficiency, which is very important in improving a home. The bill allows home owners to understand the true cost of home ownership, which according to Ken Elsey, president of the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance makes it “the most significant piece of legislation in years”.