News & Events

Public Campaign on Building Codes and Energy in Alberta

March 5, 2011

CHBA-National Public Campaign on Energy Codes

The North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) of Canada along with the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance (CEEA) have embarked on a second series of radio ads, urging consumers to contact their local Members of Legislative Assembly and insist on better building codes in Alberta. 

The goal of the ads is to force the government to adopt energy efficiency changes into the Alberta Building Code ahead of the national code process.  The group claims that the government stopped its efforts to increase energy efficiency in the Alberta Building Code, when in fact the government supports a cohesive national codes process and engaged at this time in creating changes to the codes that it can begin  adopting as soon as 2012.

The ads utilize misleading statements, comparisons, and language to imply that manufacturers, suppliers and builders are not moving forward on energy efficiency and due to this consumers are paying more than they should be.   Their benchmark is the current EnerGuide 80.  The new ads urge buyers to delay buying a home until the new energy codes are in place and notes there are builders building to code and not complying with the warranty process.  In another ad, they accuse the government of choosing builders over homeowners again just like with the new home warranty issue.

These ads are not in the style or spirit that CHBA can support and will not foster a better path toward energy efficiency for the industry, the government, or consumers. 

To hear examples of the ads, click ad1, ad2, ad3

CHBA urges all members, to contact their insulation suppliers and manufactures who are members of NAIMA and ask these members to tell CEEA to stop the ads. 

Local associaotion should have the discussion with their members on other actions that could be coordinated at that level such as changing suppliers, manufacturers or materials if NAIMA continues to support the ads.

NAIMA members that are also CHBA members include:

• Owens Corning                                                 
• CertainTeed Corporation 
• Johns Manville

Other members of NAIMA include:

• Aisantes Minerales , S.A de C.V.                                              
• FiberTEK Insulation, LLC                                                              
• Industrial Insulation Group, LLC                                              
• Knauf Insulation                                                            
• Roxul Inc.                                                                          
• USG Interiors, Inc.      
• Amerrock Products LP
• Fibrex Insulations Inc.
• Isolatek International
• Rock Wool Manufacturing Co.
• Thermafiber, Inc.