How to use the Building Energy Savings Explorer

Six short steps. Pick a building, dial in envelope and mechanical choices, and read your energy story.

1. 01

   Choose your building type

   Select the building type that best matches your home or project. The St. John's version includes detached houses, multi-unit houses, townhouses, and apartment buildings. Choose the closest match based on building size, form, foundation type, and whether the building is detached or attached.

2. 02

   Select insulation and window options

   Choose the envelope performance level you want to test. You can compare different levels of ceiling insulation, wall insulation, foundation insulation, basement floor insulation, window performance, and airtightness.

3. 03

   Choose heating and hot water systems

   Select the space heating and water heating systems you want to compare. These choices can have a major effect on energy use, emissions, and operating cost.

4. 04

   Review your energy story

   View the estimated impact of your selected design package. Compare energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, operating cost, and upfront cost against the baseline.

5. 05

   Compare different scenarios

   Try several combinations. For example, compare standard insulation with better insulation, then compare different heating systems. This helps show which choices have the greatest impact.

6. 06

   Use the results as a guide

   The results are based on simulations of representative buildings. They are useful for learning, early planning, and comparing options, but they do not replace a professional energy model or project-specific advice.