Building labeling has been a passion for the past 9 years. In my view, labeling of buildings of all types allows regional societies to be more economically powerful. Two key outcomes result from labeling; 1) labeling is the market mechanism to drive valuation of building efficiency delivers lower cost of living to workforce; 2) the efficiencies of regional energy markets are shared reducing the cost of energy for production of goods and services driving economic prosperity and competitive advantage.

As the cost of hydrocarbon energy sources rises the value of efficiency increases. The cost of making buildings efficient will rise with increase in hydrocarbon energy costs. Greater efficiency relates to lasting economic competitiveness measured in liveability and cost of goods produced. Regions seeking future competitiveness and economic stability should serve self interest and implement aggressive building labelling strategies built on these and other international learnings.

Multi Family Energy Rating In Chicago

European Building Labelling Study

Urban Green NY Energy & Water Use Benchmarking

Internation Energy Rating Policy Pathway

As an instructor of realtors across Ontario, I can say with absolute confidence that Ontarians who are doing the right thing for themselves and the environment have not seen the real estate industry being effective at putting a value on home energy efficiency. In the last year I have spoken to roughly 3,000 realtors in training contexts. Every time I teach a course, I ask people to put their hands up: “Who has sold a house with a geothermal heating system?” I ask those same folks to tell me, “Who has received a premium from the marketplace?” I then ask what was the reason that they did not, because the consistent answer was they did not. The reason that they did not was because the buyer market does not understand energy performance.

Understanding Energy Labeling and Policy Internationally

Transcripts: Standing Committee on General Government - April 20, 2009