Improve your home’s energy efficiency

Get some money back

Rebate and Incentive Programs

Rebates from different programs can be stacked, we can help you understand how to make the most of the available incentives.

Have some questions?

Here are our most frequently asked

• 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.

• 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.