Optimization

Work with your CEA to decide where best to make improvements to your building plans and practices.

By creating new energy models based on proposed changes to your existing plans, you'll have a very good idea where you will be once the optimization process is completed.

The Plan Evaluation Process

Since your CEA will be already familiar with your existing plans and specs from your benchmarking, he/she can suggest improvements to take you forward.

Because these improvements can be calculated in software, you can predict the outcome in terms of your probable EnerGuide rating improvement before you implement any changes.

During optimization, you may have your CEA create several plan evaluation models to establish the best course of action. Since these choices may involve a host of complex factors on your end, you need to know with a high degree of accuracy the benefit of making these choices before you make the investment.

As well, based on the blower door tests carried out by your CEA, you will know where your building practices can be improved with respect to air leakage. You'll know what details to check on your newly constructed homes to minimize heat loss due to air leakage.

The Outcome: Higher EnerGuide Rated Homes, Ready to Certify

Often, there will be "low hanging fruit": relatively easy or inexpensive changes you can make for a marked improvement to your EnerGuide rating. You can make incremential changes from year-to-year, revisiting the optimization process with your CEA will allow for continual improvement.

Once your homes are getting high EnerGuide ratings, you are ready to certify with R-2000 and Built Green.

The Next Step: Certification