In the 1970’s, Jimmy Carter urged Americans to embrace energy efficiency as a way out of the country’s oil crisis. He insisted that his fellow citizens sacrifice for the country by donning a sweater and turning down their thermostats. He even insisted on having his picture repeatedly taken wearing a wool cardigan, and termed the struggle for energy efficiency as the “Moral Equivalent Of War.”

That was almost 40 years and a lot of technology ago. In recent years newer technologies have been driven by soaring costs of energy. Literally speaking, heating cost are going through the roof. Five years ago, we were complaining when gas hit .69 cents a liter. I filled up twice this week and each time it cost me exactly $100. Electricity at peak use (11 am to 5pm) is rising 8% to 10.7 cents a kWh from 9.9 cents.

Canada has always been way behind on newer technologies and efficient equipment. However recently high costs have shown the need for more efficient buildings. Various groups and industries have begun developing ways to promote more efficient construction. Some of these are as follows.

In the early part of the 21st century the US started to push the need for a green-building rating system. This turned into what is now termed LEEDS (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). In 2004 the LEEDS program moved into Canada, and was called LEED-Canada, which immediately was more stringent than its U.S. counterpart, demanding 12-13% more energy efficiency than US standards. LEED-Canada is still refining it’s standards.

One Canadian provider of residential mortgages, offers Canadians a reduced rate on funds borrowed towards purchase of a home (a) which is certified as Energy Efficient or (b) refinancing of renovations with specific energy reducing features. The “Energy Star” which we all see on any appliance now sold in Canada has also been adapted into the construction industry. A house has to be built to certain standards and then can get an “Energy Star” rating.

I have also mentioned the “Passive House” guidelines which have become standard for many European countries as of this year. This building standard is specifically dedicated towards energy efficiency. This designation was used for a building in Whistler BC which housed the Austrian ski team. The entire team stayed in this building and the total cost to heat the building for one full year was $280. Personally I see so much potential with this type of building as it is groundbreaking in efficiencies of construction. (More to follow on this)

When I look at houses every day I see so many areas that have been overlooked to conserve energy and heat from the time the place was first built. Finally with rising costs we may be forced to look at ways to cost us less in the long run.