The residential energy assessment initiative has been developed by the Office of Energy Efficiency of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to help property owners make retrofit choices that improve the comfort and energy efficiency of their home. This program is also called the EnerGuide for Houses Service in many provincial jurisdictions.

Sustainable Housing is a licensed and independent service organization that will identify how your home uses energy and where it is being wasted. Our qualified and experienced advisors will show you how to improve the comfort of your home and cut heating costs, while ensuring adequate ventilation for a healthy indoor environment for your family.

The government of Canada provides grants to property owners who complete energy efficiency retrofits after their house undergoes a energy evaluation. Owners of low-rise residential rental properties may also qualify for a grant.

The grant amount is based on carrying out energy efficiency retrofits such as increasing your attic insulation or replacing your heating system with a qualified ENERGY STAR model. Only homes that have undergone a residential energy efficiency assessment will be eligible for grants.

Please note

The ecoEnergy website has issued the following warning - "Beware of short visits – a good assessment should take 1.5-2.5 hours."

How does the residential energy assessment service work?

The service includes one of our licensed energy advisors:
1) Taking measurements of the geometry of the building, the insulation type and R value in the walls, basement and attic;
2) Performing a blower door test that locates the air leakage areas throughout the house and measures the building's leakage rate (air changes per hour);
3) Providing the property owner with verbal recommendations at the end of the evaluation;
4) Performing energy modeling and preparing a report that is sent out within three weeks and that shows where the homeowners' energy dollars are being spent and what they can do to improve their home’s energy efficiency. Included with this report is an energy efficiency rating label that shows you how energy efficient your home is compared with others in your region.

When should you use the residential energy assessment service?

Does your home have comfort problems such as drafts, cold spots or frosted windows?
 Find the source of these problems and get information about repairing them.

Are you concerned about energy costs?
Homes that are more than 25 years old have the potential to save an average of 35 percent of their energy use. Homes that are more than 50 years old could achieve even greater savings-an average of 38 percent.

Renovating or retrofitting?
Our energy advisors use state-of-the-art evaluation practices and can advise on the best modern techniques and types of products.

Upgrading your heating and cooling system?
Energy efficient improvements can make a difference to the size of the heating and cooling system that your home needs.

Selling your house?
After you have made energy efficiency upgrades and comfort improvements to your home, the energy efficiency rating label shows potential buyers how much you have improved your home’s energy efficiency and how it compares to other homes in your area.

Want to find out how to reduce your footprint on the environment?
Natural Resources Canada data shows that property owners who participated in this program would reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by almost 4.6 tonnes per year if they undertook all the retrofits recommended.

The benefits of the residential energy assessment service

Peace of mind
Our qualified, licensed energy advisors provide unbiased advice on how to improve your home’s energy use. This service is quality-assured by our technical advisor as well as by the Government of Canada to ensure the integrity of the service.

Understanding your options
The residential energy assessment service provides a thorough basement-to-attic assessment of your home’s energy use. Our energy advisor’s written report will help you to plan retrofits that will improve the energy efficiency of your home or multi-unit residential building. It is up to you as the homeowner to decide what retrofits you wish to undertake. Our Energy Advisors will make a number of recommendations on how you can improve the efficiency and you choose which ones will be done. You are responsible for choosing the contractor and for ensuring that the work is done properly.

Proof of Upgrades
After you have completed your energy upgrades, our experts will provide you with a second (post-retrofit) evaluation and a new energy efficiency rating label that indicates your home’s improved energy use.

Grants toward your retrofit expenses
Only homes that have had pre- and post-retrofit evaluations are eligible for grants. The grant amount is based on which retrofits you have completed.

Taking action to alleviate climate change
The use of energy from fossil fuels is a major cause of greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Canadians are being encouraged to use less energy. Make our contribution to help protect our environment by using the residential energy assessment service.

Who is eligible for grants?

How do I apply for a grant?

It’s easy! Sustainable Housing will apply for the federal grant on your behalf after you have completed the energy efficiency retrofits and your home has had the post-retrofit evaluation. We will prepare the paperwork for you to sign and we will be able to tell you exactly how much you can expect to receive. We forward the application directly to NRCan who mails the grant directly to you within 90 days.

BOOK YOUR HOME ENERGY EVALUATION WITH US TODAY! CLICK HERE FOR AN ONLINE BOOKING OR CALL 1 877 722 2842.

Information for PEI Residents

Information for Nova Scotia Residents

Information for New Brunswick Residents

Information for Newfoundland & Labrador Residents