Making It Visible: Home Energy Rating in Vancouver

Metro Vancouver has ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80% by 2050. With single-family homes accounting for 40% of the region’s building-related emissions, Metro Van launched Canada’s first home energy labelling and disclosure pilot — RateOurHome.ca — and retained Dunsky to evaluate its success.

With over a decade of experience in building rating and disclosure strategies, the Dunsky team assessed the pilot’s effectiveness; identified the most effective go-forward delivery model to meet GHG objectives; and recommended the preferred roles that Metro Vancouver and other stakeholders should play in a successful, long-term labelling & disclosure strategy.

Among other findings, the Dunsky evaluation revealed that the pilot was largely successful in laying the groundwork for future labelling & disclosure programs across the country. It built strong relationships with key market actors, and raised the profile of labelling & disclosure within BC policy discussions. While it only partially delivered on several targeted outcomes, structural barriers were largely at play. Dunsky recommended continuing the pilot, with notable refinements, to further advance Metro Vancouver’s low-carbon building objectives.