Are you looking to book a home energy assessment? You’ve come to the right place!
A home energy assessment with a Registered Energy Advisor is the first step in improving your home’s energy efficiency. It is also a requirement for accessing rebate and incentive programs.
Booking your home energy assessment is simple! Fill out the Booking Request Form and a customer service representative will be in touch to book your home energy assessment.
Please read our FAQs below to find answers to the most frequent questions folks ask us! You can also reach us by email or phone 613-656-0100.
FAQs
HOME ENERGY ASSESSMENTS
What is a home energy assessment?
A home energy assessment is a study of the efficiency of your building. A registered energy advisor will perform a series of tests designed to pinpoint air leaks, test insulation levels and gauge the efficiency of your home’s heating and cooling systems.
The goal of a home energy assessment is to learn how efficiently your house is using energy and provide guidance on how to reduce the amount of energy your home consumes to make it more efficient and comfortable to live in. Some of the aspects a home energy advisor will look at include: Air leaks and drafts, gaps around doors and windows, indoor air quality, insulation levels, and HVAC equipment.
How does a home energy assessment work?
A registered energy advisor will conduct a top-to-bottom assessment of your home, inspecting your home’s insulation, heating and cooling systems and overall home energy use to detect sources of energy loss. When the assessment is complete, you will receive:
An EnerGuide Rating Label, which rates your home’s energy consumption and compares your home’s performance to a typical new house. The label will also show you the proportion of energy consumed by your home’s heating, cooling, ventilation and other equipment and appliances.
A Homeowner Information Sheet, which provides information on how your EnerGuide Rating was calculated and a detailed report on how your home uses energy.
A Renovation Upgrade Report, which provides you with a customized action plan to improve the energy efficiency of your home, including:
– Recommended energy efficiency upgrades
– Potential home energy and greenhouse gas emissions reductions
– Health and safety information
– Energy-saving tips
How do I prepare for a home energy assessment?
Before booking your Home Energy Assessment make sure that your home is eligible for assessment. To be eligible make sure that:
– Your home is habitable.
– Your home isn’t under renovation during the audit.
– All openings are sealed — windows, doors, attic knee-walls, recessed lighting, etc.
– If you have a fireplace, don’t use it within 24 hours of your evaluation, and make sure you close the dampers.
– All areas of your home are accessible to the advisor.
– Bonus points if you have your property tax bill and roll number on-hand!
Generally, assessments will take 2.5-3 hours. It’s required that the legal homeowner be present for the duration of the assessment.
How do I know whether the energy upgrades actually worked?
If you have completed your retrofit and are curious about its energy impact, you can schedule a follow-up energy audit. During this visit, a Registered Energy Advisor will re-evaluate your home, and provide you with a new, updated EnerGuide rating.
Please note that if you are applying for a rebate or incentives program (more information below), a follow-up energy audit will be required.
How do I know if I need a follow-up energy assessment?
If you have received an EnerGuide home energy assessment and completed the recommended retrofits, you may be eligible for a follow-up audit to assess your new energy efficiency. This follow-up visit should take approximately 1 hour. After your follow-up audit, you will receive an updated EnerGuide rating, as well as estimations for:
– Airtightness
– Reduction in energy use (and cost savings!)
– Carbon reduction
During your follow-up assessment, all renovations must be completed. Your advisor will need to receive copies of invoices, receipts, or manufacturer’s literature as it relates to your retrofits. As well as this, your new doors and windows will require Energy Star labels.
Please note that if you are applying for a rebate or incentives program, a follow-up energy assessment may be required.
How much does an energy assessment cost?
Pre-retrofit Assessment – approx. 2 hours: $600 + HST
Post-Retrofit Assessment – approx. 1 hour: $300 + HST
If you are eligible for an incentive program, the program may refund, in full or in part, the cost of your audits.
Are there any other costs I should be aware of?
There may be additional fees for extended travel distances and for larger-than-average homes. An additional fee of $100 will apply to homes with home additions built between the pre-retrofit and post-retrofit assessments. Our customer service team will let you know about any additional costs before you confirm your booking.
What happens if I have a secondary dwelling or apartment within my home?
A secondary dwelling or apartment within your home will be considered a MURB (Multi Unit Residential Building) and will need special considerations and different pricing.
REBATE AND INCENTIVE PROGRAMS
I’m confused by all the programs and incentives – can you give me an overview?
It’s hard to keep up! Here is a high-level overview.
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is the department of the Government of Canada responsible for natural resources and energy.
EnerGuide is the official Government of Canada mark associated with the labelling and rating of the energy consumption or energy efficiency of specific products, including homes. Your home energy assessment will provide you with an EnerGuide rating for your home.
The Canada Greener Homes Grant is an NRCan program to help Canadian homeowners offset the cost of energy upgrades. This program provides rebates of up to $600 to cover the cost of home energy assessments, $5000 to cover the cost of upgrades and zero-interest loans of $5,000 to $40,000 to help you undertake major home retrofits.
In Ontario, Enbridge Gas also provides rebates up to $5000 through a program called Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+). Additional rebates for Enbridge Gas customers are also available.
In Ottawa, homeowners can access low-interest loans for energy efficiency upgrades through the Better Homes Ottawa – Loan Program.
Rebates from different programs can be stacked, we can help you understand how to make the most of the available incentives.
For more details on all the rebate and incentive programs visit betterhomesottawa.ca
Where can I find out about the eligibility criteria for rebates and incentives?
Details on the various rebate and incentive programs can sometimes change with little notice. Please refer to the program websites for the most up-to-date information. Or reach out to us, we’d be happy to help you find the best fit for your needs.
NRCan Canada Greener Home Grant
Enbridge Gas HER+
Better Homes Ottawa – Loan Program
Low Income Energy Assistance Program
Deep Energy Upgrades
There are many reasons for wanting to make our homes more energy efficient: lower energy bills, greater comfort, and fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Energy upgrades also increase the market value of your home.
But you may not be aware of just HOW efficient you can make your home.
A typical energy retrofit will achieve energy savings of between 20% and 40%. A deep energy retrofit can get you up to 80% in energy savings! A deep retrofit will pay off in the long run but does require more work and planning at the outset. EnviroCentre can help you understand what deep retrofit options are available to you and how to navigate the steps.