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Copyright Qualistat 2009-2012
     Typical ENERGUIDE Ratings

Type of House       Rating
  • New House built to minimum building code standards      65-72
  • New house with some energy-efficiency improvements     73-79
  • Energy-efficient new house      80-90
  • House requiring little or no purchased energy   91-100

ENERGUIDE is a rating system to evaluate energy efficiency of homes developed by Natural Resources Canada.

Tips on ENERGUIDE Ratings

  • A Bungalow with the same square footage as a 2 story will achieve a higher rating
  • A full depth basement scores higher than a walkout
  • There are minimal gains after R-50 in attics
  • An air tight home only scores higher when an HRV is installed   (Heat Recovery Ventilator)
  • House direction plays a huge role in the final rating - you can gain up to 2  points
  • Place walls with lots of windows facing south and limit windows and sizes for other directions
  • Use R-20 fiberglass batts in your basement 2X4 frost walls
  • 24 inch on centre stud spacing always give better ratings
  • Use appliances and fireplaces with no pilot lights - these use a lot of energy just burning



Sample Simulation

The house on the right is an average 1800 sq ft 2 storey

Built to the current Alberta Building code you could expect to achieve the following ratings:

  • Facing North Energuide 72
  • Facing South        Energuide 71
  • Facing East  Energuide 71
  • Facing West Energuide 70

This is due to the amount of glass facing these directions - this home has an average amount.
The glass area for each side is as follows:

  • Front - 60 sq ft
  • Rear - 128 sq ft
  • Left - 0 sq ft
  • Right - 43 sq ft

The same square footage home built as a bunglaow will score between ENERGUIDE 73 and 75

Components that increase energy efficiency and ENERGUIDE ratings

Below are some average ENERGUIDE rating changes based on an average 2 story home such as this sample on the right.

Actual will vary depending upon direction, size, foundation, size of windows, etc – there are too many variables to give a precise amount without doing an actual energy simulation model of the home.

Air Changes
from average to tight adds average .3 if no HRV
from average to tight adds average 2 to 3 if HRV

HRV
adds 1 to 3 depending on ACH (not combined with above numbers)

Furnace
from 92 to 95% AFUE adds .4

DHW 
from DV to 86% instantaneous adds .7 to .9
from DV to 98% instantaneous adds .8 to 1

Windows
Low E plus Argon adds between .6 and 1.2 – Huge variables here depending upon direction and amount of glass

Attic
R-40 to R-50 add .2 to.3

Walls
16” O.C. to 24” O.C. add .2 to .4
R-20 to R-22  add .6 to 1
R-20 plus 1” XPS add 1.5 to 2.2
R-20 plus 1.5” XPS add 1.8 to 2.8

Underslab insulation – No Radiant
Foil Bubble layer 0
1” XPS add .2 to .3
1.5” XPS add .4 to .5

Radiant in floor heat  (comfortable but not efficient)
Deduct .5 to .7
Radiant with 1.5” XPS Deduct .1 to .4

Ground Source Heat Pumps (Geo-Thermal)
add 10 or more Energuide points
GLOSSARY

ACH = Air Changes per Hour
DHW = Domestic Hot Water
HRV = Heat Recovery Ventilator
DV = Direct Vented
XPS = Extruded Polystyrene
EPS = Expanded Polystyrene Beadboard
ECM = 24 Volt DC or Energy Efficient Motor
AFUE = Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency
Building Code Minimum specifications used:

-92% AFUE Condensing Furnace
-56% DHW Direct vent
- Dual glaze windows
- No HRV with ACH of 3.5
- Walls 2X6 R-20 16”
- BSMT 2X4 R-12 24”
- Attic R-34
To get this house to a minimum ENERGUIDE 80 in all directions the following is required:

-95% AFUE Condensing ECM Furnace
-86% DHW On-demand Condensing
- Non Pilot Light Fireplace
- Low E Argon dual glaze windows
- HRV with ACH of 1.5
- Walls 2X6 R-22 24”
- BSMT 2X4 R-20 24”
- Attic R-50
- Spray Foam Rim / Bonus room Floor


Yearly Energy Savings around $750

Comfort levels - Priceless


There are currently no Government grants available for energy efficint construction of new homes





Plus 10% discount for CMHC insured mortgage for all ratings over 80

. . . More Info

Or 10% discount for GENWORTH insured mortgage for all ratings over 77

. . . More Info

For more information or to have a Energy Simulation model completed of your plans contact Darrell or call 866-994-1950


Did you know?

. . . an increase of 1 Energuide point relates to about 5% savings on your energy bills

. . . From NRCan Publication "A New House That Saves"
Alberta Toll Free  1-866-994-1950
Call  403-586-1950

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