Just like most new appliances, new homes in the city could soon come complete with a sticker stating just how energy-efficient they are.

As part of the proposal for new building standards, city staff is proposing a sticker that would provide details on the structure.

"Administration is proposing to create a sticker, similar to an 'Energuide' sticker found on furnaces, that would be placed within each new home that specifies the insulation values and the blower door test (air leakage test) score as measured at the time of the inspection date," reads a report brought forward to city council Monday night. The report proposes the amendments to the city's building and plumbing bylaw.

"This would provide home buyers quality assurance and information for comparisons to use when considering purchases," says the report.

The proposed new standards for building in the city would take effect on Sept. 1.

At the city council meeting, planning manager Mike Gau presented the report outlining the amendments. He told council members they would come into effect for any new development permits beginning on the first day of September, in time for construction at the new subdivisions of Ingram and Takhini North.

The changes are coming out of the city's Integrated Community Sustainability Plan which encourages building designs and standards that are more energy-efficient.

Since the city adopted the document, city staff have been working on coming up with the new standards along with a group of industry representatives.

"The group has examined building codes and regulations from other jurisdictions to see if energy conservation was achievable through a regulatory approach and what would be appropriate for Whitehorse," reads the staff report that came forward.

The new standards on building and insulation would bring the minimum standards for home building in the city up to meet those of Yukon Housing's Green Home program.

Heat recovery ventilators with a 64 per cent recovery rate would also be required after the city originally looked at requiring a 70 to 85 per cent recovery.

"Industry representatives felt that the original proposal was too stringent and did not allow a broad enough range of equipment for installations," it's noted in the report.

Also proposed is the requirement for an additional set of plans to be provided to the city as part of the building permit application that would specifically deal with heating and ventilation permits.

"This set of plans would include a determined heating load and minimum ventilation rates; it would describe the mechanical systems and their components and indicate who has done the design and how they are qualified to do this design," reads the report.

Air leakage tests would be part of the requirements as well.

"It is recommended that the test be arranged by the builders and submitted to the city just as is done for electrical and gas permits and assurance letters from engineers and other professionals carrying out tests or inspections not conducted by city officials," notes the report.

Coun. Florence Roberts argued that if the city is going to require the test, it should be doing the tests and working the cost into its development fees.

But Gau said that could likely mean having to hire more staff for tests that can take hours during times when building inspectors are already busy diong inspections. As demand grows, he pointed out, the private sector will follow through with having certified testers to look at air leakage.

With a Sept. 1 date proposed for the new standards on most homes, the mobile home industry could have a year's grace from it if council follows through on the staff recommendation.

"Concerns from the local manufactured home industry were raised indicating the difficulty and unknowns in achieving the perspective insulation requirement," the report stated.

"In response to their concerns, it is proposed that application of the new requirements to manufactured - includes mobile and modular - homes would not come into effect until one year from bylaw adoption."

That argument doesn't sit well with Coun. Doug Graham. He said there has been enough warning that the regulations were a possibility, giving those affected enough time to prepare.

"They've had long enough," he said.

First and second readings will come forward on June 15. If those are approved, third reading would come forward for adoption on June 29.