Putting the ‘new' in new home.

There is more “new” in a new home today than ever before — new ideas, new technology, new ways to build and new ways to save. And “saving” is where today's new homes really shine. Read more benefits of buying a new home.

Your home is likely to be the largest purchase you'll ever make. And with rising energy and resource costs, your home will continue to be a big part of your monthly budget.

Watch a video on New Home Construction Consumer Tips/Insights.

More than 20% of the energy used in Ontario is used to run homes.

Here's a breakdown of a typical home's energy use. Houses built today can offer great ways to save on energy, water, materials and more.

Beginning January 2011, the Ontario Power Authority and local electric utilities will be working with participating home builders and renovators across Ontario to build and renovate single family homes that are energy-efficient, smart and integrated.

With NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION, we will ensure that new homes are built to meet the needs of today and anticipate the needs of tomorrow. We do this by promoting home energy performance and the installation of energy-efficient products to builders and renovators across the province.

We will be encouraging builders to build homes that achieve performance ratings like EnerGuide 83 or better and to install energy-efficient products to help save electricity in your new home such as:

All-off switches
This is a master power switch for your home. Selected outlets around your house — as well as everything plugged into them — are connected to, and controlled by, this single on/off switch. For example, when you leave your home you can switch off all connected lamps by flipping one switch! 

Electronic Commutated Motor (ECM)
All furnaces have a motor to circulate hot air throughout your house. ECMs are an efficient type of furnace motor that also allows you to save electricity while getting the same level of home comfort from your furnace.

Seasonal energy-efficiency Ratio 15 central air conditioners (SEER 15 CAC)
SEER is a metric used to rate the efficiency of central air conditioners. SEER 15 designates a central air conditioner that has a higher efficiency rating than the average central air conditioner currently sold in the market.

ENERGY STAR^® qualified light fixtures and other efficient lighting
The ENERGY STAR mark on lighting fixtures — regular fixtures, multi-lamp fixtures (e.g. chandeliers), pot lights, and T8 fluorescent fixtures, as well as other niche lighting fixtures — indicates superior energy performance.

Lighting control products
These products include dimmer switches for lights, lighting timers and indoor and outdoor motion sensors, all of which contribute to an energy-efficient approach.

Be sure to ask your builder or renovator if he or she is participating in NEW  HOME CONSTRUCTION.

Read Frequently Asked Questions about NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION.

For Builders

Learn how you can participate in the NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION program.

Industry Programs

Energy-efficient new home building initiatives offered in Ontario  

In addition to NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION, there are a handful of energy-efficient new home programs offered throughout Ontario by many different builders.

So, how do you choose the new home program that's right for you — and what exactly is the difference between one label and another? Let's take a look at what these programs stand for — after all, an informed homebuyer is a smart homebuyer.

Here are a few industry programs, including NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION that promote energy-efficiency for new homes in Ontario. Be sure to ask your builder or renovator if he or she is participating in any of the programs.

EnerGuide for New Homes
ENERGY STAR^® for New Homes
LEED Canada for New Homes
R2000 for New Homes