Mandatory home energy audits has its supporters, critics - Niagara Falls Review

[Brian Hannigan]

InspectionNews has just found the following information that might be of interest to you:


Mandatory home energy audits has its supporters, critics (http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=T&ct=us/6-0&fd=R&url=http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx%3Fe%3D1492593&cid=1319830339&ei=rB_JSfbzIKHYgAPAq8H6Dg&usg=AFQjCNEzzjSFfatI0lPqsLfnIsiWQG8ogQ)
Niagara Falls Review, Canada
Ted Neufeld, owner of Cornerstone Home Inspection Services, one of the companies licensed by the government to provide home energy audits, said he has heard that number could grow to around 2500 if home energy audits become mandatory. ...


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[Eric Barker]

The problem with the new emphasis on these audits is that they're going to be conducted by people who have no clue how the various systems and components in a home interact. One thing is certain, most homes that will get "buttoned" up because someone says it's a good thing will have have more indoor air pollution than they already do.

[Ted Menelly]

"Environmentalists and companies that employ auditors applaud the idea.

I am sure

Critics, however, say it would place another unnecessary burden on the backs of homeowners during tough economic times, make homes more difficult to sell, and depress an already slumping market. "

How true. How very, very true.


“The timing stinks,” said Ken Kuhn, who runs a real estate brokerage in Niagara Falls. “The economy is in the tank and the market is down. It’s as quiet I’ve seen in 30 years."

How true

A typical home energy audit costs about $300, although provincial rebates can cover up to half that amount.

Out the window goes a home inspection. The tax payer they mean I am sure

The government will also chip in thousands of dollars more if homeowners implement suggested upgrades

The government is not going to "chip in" anything. The government does not have any money. The tax payers will be footing the bill along with the sellers of the home

[David Wood]

The problem with the new emphasis on these audits is that they're going to be conducted by people who have no clue how the various systems and components in a home interact. One thing is certain, most homes that will get "buttoned" up because someone says it's a good thing will have have more indoor air pollution than they already do.

Currently, the advisors are well qualified. They must know house as a system concepts to become licenced. Balanced ventilation MUST be recommended if the natural air change rate is less than a certain amount.

But I am against making the evaluations mandatory.