(NC)—When purchasing a new or resale home, Ontario residents are willing to spend more money for a home that is energy efficient (39%), will retain its value (23%) and is built using environmentally friendly materials (15%), according to a recent Leger Marketing poll.

I have certainly noticed in my business that buyers are more interested in energy conservation, whether a home is rated ‘R2000‘ or not, etc. I have numerous conversations every day with people regarding the Mattamy homes that are built in a factory, which has it’s pros and cons according to many home inspectors I have talked with about this matter.

The survey, conducted on behalf of MasonryWorx, an association of Ontario’s leading masonry professionals, also reveals residents between the ages of 35-54 years are most likely to pay more for energy efficiency, along with residents of southwestern Ontario.

“Homebuyers looking for an energy efficient home should start by considering what materials are used to build it,” said Judy Pryma, president of MasonryWorx.

“Homes built with brick, block and stone offer superior energy savings because these materials help keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter, which means lower overall energy consumption.”

Survey respondents also indicated a good understanding of the many benefits of masonry, with 71% aware of the long life span, 72% aware of the fire resistance qualities, and 70% aware of the superior impact resistance offered by masonry products.

“Sellers hoping for a swift sale this summer may wish to emphasize the superior value of masonry products to entice buyers,” added Ms. Pryma.

Certainly, builders charge more for all-brick built homes, and buyers, when given the choice, seem to gravitate toward all-brick over vinyl siding. A lot of the time, the reason is just that ‘my Dad said no matter what else, we have to buy a brick home’. Perhaps Dad knew something after all.

More information about the energy efficiency of masonry products is available at www.masonryworx.com.

- News Canada

(NC)—A new water heater may not be at the top of your shopping list, but when the time comes to replace an existing unit, you’ll need to act quickly. The good news is that domestic water heaters are now included in the ENERGY STAR initiative in Canada, and that should make your shopping experience both easier and more rewarding.

ENERGY STAR is the international symbol for energy efficiency, used by consumers to select household products that will save them money and reduce energy-related greenhouse gas emissions that have been linked to climate change. Water heaters are one of the biggest energy consumers in the home, second only to space heating equipment. Although it may be tucked away in a corner of the basement, your water heater is used every day, so it pays to select an energy-efficient model.

Water heaters that qualify for the ENERGY STAR symbol use at least five percent less energy than conventional models – and that means your utility bills will be at least five percent lower than might otherwise be the case. Features such as better tank insulation, heat traps and more efficient burners set ENERGY STAR qualified models apart from the competition.

The new ENERGY STAR specification applies to gas, heat pump and solar water heaters (electric and oil-fired models are not included in the program). In addition to meeting strict energy efficiency requirements, ENERGY STAR qualified water heaters must offer warranties ranging from six to 10 years on most parts, depending on the type of unit.

When shopping for a new water heater, make sure to look for the ENERGY STAR symbol on the product, its packaging or literature. More information is available at energystar.nrcan.gc.ca or by calling 1-800-OCANADA.

Energy-Efficient Housing Made More Affordable with Mortgage Loan Insurance

More than 17 percent of the energy consumed in Canada is used to run our homes. Buying an energy-efficient home or making energy-saving renovations can offer big savings. A 10% CMHC mortgage loan insurance premium refund and extended amortization period without surcharge may be available when you use CMHC insured financing to purchase an energy-efficient home or make energy-saving renovations.

Mortgage Loan Insurance

For most people, the hardest part of buying a home — especially a first home — is saving the necessary down payment. To help, CMHC offers lenders Mortgage Loan Insurance, which allows you to buy a house with as little as 5% down payment. Offered through most financial institutions, this simple solution has enabled millions of Canadians to realize the dream of homeownership.

CMHC made dreams of homeownership easier to obtain by allowing qualified home buyers to use additional sources of funds for down payments such as a loan or lenders’ cash back incentives.

Help the Planet, Help Your Wallet

CMHC has added environmentally friendly features to the Mortgage Loan Insurance it offers. If you use CMHC insured financing to buy an energy-efficient home, purchase a house and make energy-saving renovations or renovate your existing home to make it more energy-efficient, a 10% refund on the Mortgage Loan Insurance premium may be available. You could also have the added flexibility of a longer amortization (the period of time required to repay your mortgage) from 25 years to a maximum of 35 years for loan-to-value ratios in excess of 80% (or 40 years for loan-to-value ratios of 80% or less), significantly reducing your monthly payments.

The Government of Canada actively promotes energy conservation and initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

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May 20, 2009 06:00 ET

Consumers Save Up to 44 Per Cent in Energy Conservation Pilot

Direct Energy program demonstrates smart home technology can enable conservation.

MILTON, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – May 20, 2009) – Results from a recent energy conservation pilot program in Milton, Ontario show dramatic savings for some participants, including up to 44 per cent energy savings during peak demand periods. The residents are part of the Direct Energy Smart Home Energy Conservation Program and research project. The pilot was conducted from July, 2007 to September 2008 with 209 Milton Hydro households. The goal of the pilot was to not only test technology, but also gain insights into consumer behaviours and motivations for change. Participants were able to monitor energy usage, and remotely control their home’s lighting and appliances with one easy-to-use web interface or a hand held device like a Blackberry. The portal and software, provided by Lixar SRS, provide the ability for two way communication with the thermostat in real time versus the alternative one way technologies.

The program was developed in collaboration between Direct Energy, Milton Hydro, and Bell with independent analysis by the University of Waterloo.

Key highlights from the pilot included:

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