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So, you’re thinking about making your house comfier or more energy efficient? Great! Did you know you can get rebates for a lot of home improvements? Depending on where you live, there are cost-saving government initiatives to help you pay for things like new energy-efficient windows, insulation top-ups, and heat pumps (among other things). To qualify, you’ll need to do an energy audit.

What is an energy audit and why should I do one?

An energy audit (also called an energy assessment or home audit) gives you a clear picture of how your home is using energy, identifies improvements that will make it more efficient, and helps you qualify for rebates. You can have an audit done when you’ve bought a new place, are planning a renovation, when your windows or furnace are nearing the end of their life, or if you simply want to make your home more comfortable.

“Audits are especially useful for older homes constructed when building codes weren’t as strict,” says Chris Barker, a Registered Energy Advisor with Natural Resources Canada, Certified Energy Manager with the Association of Energy Engineers, and owner of ecostep Energy Services. “My house is from 1929, and when I bought it 17 years ago, the attic insulation was R9. Today it’s R60, so upgrades can make a huge difference. Even homes that are 20 or 30 years old can benefit.”

What happens during an energy audit?

Step 1: The pre-project assessment

A licensed assessor does a top-down inspection of everything from the attic to the basement, and tests for air tightness. A calibrated fan is installed in a normally sealed opening (like a door or window) and sucks air out of the house. That, in turn, causes air to enter the home in other ways – highlighting leakages. The whole process takes about two hours and is based on the EnerGuide Rating System established by Natural Resources Canada.

Once the inspection is complete you’ll get three things:

A homeowner information sheet, which outlines how the home is using energy;
a recommended upgrade report, which lists suggested improvements specific to your home; and
an EnerGuide label with an efficiency score like the one you’d see when you buy a refrigerator.

“The energy assessment was much more scientific than we expected,” says Kent Boniface, an Ontario homeowner who had an audit done on a home built in the late 1800s. “For the blower door test, they sealed our main doorway and placed a large fan there to force the inside air out. Their laptop recorded how hard the fan had to work and measured ‘air changes per hour’ to see how leaky our home was. The test depressurized the house so they could see where air was coming in through windows and gaps in the floorboards. We were shocked to learn just how inefficient [our home] was.”

Boniface used his report to identify upgrades that would have the biggest impact: insulation and a more efficient furnace. The difference was immediate—he saw his energy bills drop, and noticed a big change in how comfortable the house felt.

Step 2: The post-project assessment

Once you’ve made the upgrades, the assessor comes back to verify the work and do another blower test. You’ll get a revised homeowner information sheet, a new EnerGuide label, and rebate verification. Then you can apply for rebates.

Here’s how to interpret your efficiency report.

Depending on where you live, either the registered service organization can submit the rebate paperwork for you, or you may have to submit yourself.

What rebates are available?

The Canada Greener Homes Program is a federal incentive program. It’s supplemented by a wide variety of provincial, municipal and utility-based rebates like the Enbridge Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+) in Ontario and the CleanBC program in British Columbia.

“Our clients are surprised how much they can get back,” says Barker. “In Ontario, installing a cold climate heat pump can get you up to $6,500, plus another $600 towards the cost of the energy assessment. For an attic insulation top-up, the max rebate is $2,350.”

After purchasing a home this past spring, Ontario homeowner Tanya Paladin-Dunn wanted to renovate before moving in, with the goal of making it as eco-friendly as possible. Despite the house only being 20 years old, her energy audit identified a lot she could do to improve efficiency.

“I replaced all the windows and blew cellulose insulation into my attic to get it to R60,” she says. “I got a heat pump, which really reduces the energy it takes to heat and cool the house. Now it’s so quiet and cozy. The difference is significant enough that I qualified for the maximum amount of rebates.”

How do I find a registered energy advisor?

You can check this Natural Resources Canada database to find advisors in your area. Or you can also talk to your window, HVAC, or insulation company–most are connected with advisors they trust. But do ensure you’re using a company that’s registered.

“There are scammers out there,” says Barker. “Never say yes to someone who knocks on your door and says they’re an energy advisor. Especially if they are trying to sell you equipment. Energy advisors are licensed and independent and not permitted to sell equipment.”

Four key benefits of doing an energy assessment

Comfort—your home will feel warmer in winter, cooler in summer.“Most people make upgrades because they’re tired of living in a freezing cold house,” says Barker. “Even just upgrading insulation can make such a difference.”
Cost savings—making your house work more efficiently means your furnace and air conditioning don’t have to work as hard. And that means more money in your pocket.
Greener operation—using less energy is a more responsible way to live.“We have one planet,” says Paladin-Dunn. “We need to be as conscious as we can about our emissions and how we can reduce them.”
Resale value. Energy efficient homes can be enticing to buyers and could potentially fetch you a higher price.“It’s simply going to be a better home to live in,” says Barker. “Just like a new kitchen or a great backyard, energy efficiency is a feature that amps up the appeal.”

Did you know? REALTORS® can help explain the benefits of a home energy audit and how it might affect the value of your home. If you’re curious about how a home energy audit could work for you, reach out to a REALTOR®.

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Energy Audits: Making Your Home More Efficient