Alberta adopts building code changes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
by The Canadian Press
Changes cover building, electrical, gas and sewage systems, go into effect next month
EDMONTON—Alberta is adopting new building code rules that aim to make new homes and other buildings more energy efficient to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The updated or new construction regulations that cover building, electrical, gas and sewage systems go into effect next month.
They include energy efficiency requirements for windows, lighting, insulation, heating, service-water heating, ventilation and air-conditioning.
The government says the changes will increase the cost of new homes, but the energy savings will make up for any increase over time.
The Canadian Home Builders’ Association says its members already meet and exceed some of the new standards.
Jesse Row, executive director of the Alberta Energy Efficiency Alliance, praised the new rules, saying they are overdue.
“The Alliance, which is made up of a range of industry, municipal and non-profit organizations, has been calling for updates to our building codes for some time now,” he said Tuesday in a release.
“It’s great to see this finally happening.”
Row said the last time energy efficiency codes for houses were updated in Alberta was in 1981.
He also said this will be the first time Alberta will have minimum mandatory energy efficiency standards for large buildings.
