A Guide to the Alberta New Home Warranty

The Alberta New Home Warranty Program is a legislation designed to provide peace of mind for new homebuyers and ensure builders uphold construction quality standards. Since the introduction of the New Home Buyer Protection Act in 2014, all newly built homes in Alberta must include a mandatory warranty that meets or exceeds minimum coverage terms. For home buyers, understanding the structure and implications of this warranty is vital in going through a new home purchase and having accurate expectations. The warranty is dictated by the Construction Performance Guide, but we will just call it the New Home Warranty Guide!

The 1-2-5-10 model.

One year for materials and labor, two years for delivery and distribution systems (such as plumbing, electrical, and HVAC), five years for the building envelope (including the roof and exterior walls), and ten years for structural integrity (such as foundations and load-bearing walls).

For example, a homeowner noticing cracking in drywall during the first year is eligible for a warranty claim, but a homeowner finding a bowing floor board at 13 months after possession might be left out to dry.

Not all Builders Offer the Same Level of Warranty Service

While many builders are fast acting and quick to service the home when a new owner finds a deficiency (like at a home inspection), others are not (not a big surprise to those in the industry). My role that I play as a home inspector with new home warranty knowledge is to keep an open line of communication with the owner and offer continued support so that their home is in perfect condition by the time the warranty expires. It is not uncommon for me to have 10 to 20 email exchanges with the owner and/or builder to get issues resolved. These emails often require me to back up my findings with code references or snap shots from the warranty guide itself.

So, what does the New Home Warranty Guide Look Like?

It is a 340 page document that covers most obvious problems a new home can have. From basics such as drywall cracks, flooring issues, and grade tolerances to what type of foundation cracks require repair and what type of rock a window well should be filled with. It is a fantastic resource that comes in very handy when a builder needs to be held accountable.

If you are at all like me and like to nerd out on 340 page technical documents, here is the link so you can cruise through it! New Home Warranty Guide

For Realtors:

From a realtor's perspective, it's important to emphasize that not all builders offer the same level of service and warranty. While the minimum terms are standardized by law, some builders enroll with third-party warranty providers like the Alberta New Home Warranty Program and offer extended or enhanced protection beyond what the legislation requires. Realtors should also be aware that coverage begins at substantial completion, occupancy, or transfer of possession—whichever comes first—so resale of a new home within the first ten years often includes remaining coverage, which can be a strong selling point.

As always, feel free to give me a call or shoot me an email if you have any questions!

Zach Pentyliuk

780-777-6204

zachpentyliuk@gmail.com

EIFS problems in Edmonton

Why Care About EIFS?

If you have ever walked out of your house, chances are you[‘ve seen a home with EIFS installed on the exterior. The aim of this post is to show why this stuff can be so scary!

When EIFS is properly installed it should cost about the same as Hardy Board, which is a premium product. In the real world most contractors cut the cost of installation and can get the price down to less than half without sacrificing the cosmetic appearance. By doing this, the corners they cut can lead to significant problems as I will outline below.

What is EIFS?

EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish System) is a type of synthetic stucco used as an exterior wall covering. It consists of multiple layers, including insulation, a base coat, and a finish coat, providing both insulation and a decorative surface. EIFS is very common, you see it every day!

What are the problems with EIFS in Edmonton?

Improper installation of EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish System) stucco can cause serious problems for homeowners, often leading to costly repairs and long-term structural damage. One of the primary risks is moisture infiltration. When EIFS is not installed correctly, it can trap water behind the wall, creating a perfect environment for mold, mildew, and wood rot to develop. Over time, this trapped moisture can damage the home's framing, siding, and insulation, weakening the structure and potentially causing health issues due to mold exposure.

This only way to fix the problem is by completely removing the EIFS, repairing the damages, and installing new siding.

Another common issue arises from improper sealing around windows, doors, and other penetrations. If these areas aren't properly flashed and sealed, water can easily seep behind the EIFS system, where it can remain undetected for years. This can lead to extensive water damage, which may not be immediately visible but can cause significant damage over time, affecting both the home's structure and the interior living spaces.

Why is this such a difficult thing to find?

When issues like this are actively occurring, the signs on the surface of the stucco can be very minimal or even not existent which is why it has to be taken so seriously. These issues are extremely common, and there are massive law suites happening every day over them. There are multiple companies in the city who only deal with EIFS litigation, which I hope emphasizes the issue. In some parts of the world, you are no longer even allowed to install it due to its problematic nature.

Below are some of the more obvious signs of major failure.

If you ever have any questions about the EIFS on your house, or a house you are looking at please do not hesitate to give me a call! A short conversation never hurts.

Zach Pentyliuk

780-777-6204

zachpentyliuk@gmail.com

Exploring Air Source Heat Pumps - A Confusing Guide to Home Efficiency

In the realm of home heating and cooling solutions, Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) are garnering attention for their efficiency and versatility, especially in Canada's wide range of climates. This email aims to provide you with a detailed understanding of ASHPs and their relevance in residential properties.

What are Air Source Heat Pumps?

The easiest way to think of a heat pump is as a regular AC unit that cools the home, except it can also run in reverse and heat the home using newer technology to transfer heat between indoor and outdoor air. During winter (even in -30C!), they extract heat from the outside air and transfer it indoors to heat homes. This dual functionality makes them suitable for year-round use.

Do they actually work year round?

Yes, but actually no… While they are still able to heat your home in extreme cold temperatures, they are not good enough to rely on. A back up heat source such as a regular gas furnace is usually kept around for those emergencies. This is a major drawback in our climate as if you need a furnace anyways, did you really need the heat pump?!

Electricity is expensive…Gas is Cheap….

As with any type of electric heating in our province, it aint cheap! Anyone in their right mind that is thinking of installing a heat pump, is also installing solar. Being able to subsidize your electrical costs is crucial if you still want to be able to afford your mortgage after paying your utility bills. That being said, heat pumps are by far the most efficient way of using electricity to heat your home, so for people with access to solar power or without access to natural gas, these are the way to go!

So, should I get a heat pump or not?!

Honestly, probably not. These things are not for everyone yet! Unless you have or are building an energy efficient home that generates solar power, you are best off sticking with the tried and true high-efficiency gas burning furnaces that we all know and love. In other places in Canada where they use electricity to heat their homes, heat pumps are much more prevalent, but ‘round these parts it will be a while before we see them become really popular.

Is that a heat pump or an AC Unit?!

Great question! It can be very hard to tell. Below I have a picture of an AC unit and a heat pump, can you guess which is which?

Trick question, they are both heat pumps! Usually they are more vertically oriented like in the second picture but they can come in all shapes and sizes, so make sure you read the label on the unit itself to be sure!

Conclusion

Understanding ASHP technology equips you with valuable knowledge to better serve your clients in Alberta's dynamic real estate market. Whether you're advising buyers or sellers, knowing the benefits and considerations of ASHPs can enhance your credibility and help clients make informed choices about their home heating and cooling systems.

What is an HRV and how does it help my home?

Today we are going to be talking about Heart Rate Variability. Wait… that’s not right…. Today we are going to be talking about Heat Recovery Ventilators! Ever wondered how to keep your home comfortable while maintaining energy efficiency? Enter the Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV), a nifty device that plays a crucial role in modern ventilation systems. But what exactly is an HRV, and why should you care?

What is an HRV? Simply put, an HRV is a ventilation system designed to provide fresh air to your home while simultaneously conserving energy. It works by exchanging stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air, all while retaining the heat from the outgoing air to warm up the incoming air during colder months, and vice versa during warmer months. This process helps to regulate indoor temperature and humidity levels while reducing the strain on your heating and cooling systems.

How does it work? The magic of an HRV lies in its heat exchange core, which allows the transfer of heat between the outgoing and incoming air streams. By harnessing the heat from the exhaust air, HRVs can preheat or precool the fresh air entering your home, depending on the season. This not only improves indoor air quality but also contributes to energy savings by reducing the amount of conditioned (heated or cooled) air leaving your home.

In addition to energy efficiency, HRVs offer other benefits such as improved indoor air quality and moisture control. By continuously exchanging air, HRVs help to remove pollutants, allergens, and excess moisture from your home, creating a healthier and more comfortable living environment for you and your family.

Where did my bathroom fans go? In most northern climates, HRV’s are installed in such a way that they replace the bathroom fans in the home. This is great as we no longer have the bathroom vents penetrating through the attic space!

Is there maintenance involved? You bet. All you have to do is open the front panel of your HRV and follow the cleaning instructions on the sticker in front of you. This will involved checking and cleaning the filters a few times a year, and cleaning the cooling core annually. You can download our home maintenance guide to help you remember when to do this!