What to Expect from an EnerGuide Home Visit & Audit

Follow the steps below for a successful EnerGuide Audit or visit the Natural Resources Canada page for more detailed information about the EnerGuide program.

More EnerGuide Information
EnerGuide Auditor

The EnerGuide evaluation is carried out by an energy advisor that you’ve selected and have scheduled an audit. The auditor is certifed and registered with Natural Resources Canada

Prepare Your Home

If you have a wood burning appliance, remove the ashes from the fireplace. Clear access to the furnace, water heater and appliances.

Consent Form and Scope of Work
  • You Energy Advisor will review the terms and scope of work. They will collect photos of the outside, mechanicals, attic and insulation. All photos and data are  strictly protected within privacy legisation
Energy Efficiency Priorities

You know your home and you know what you would like to accomplish with energy efficiency upgrades. Make your lists and prioritze the retrofits you’d like to install.

The Home Evaulation
  • The Energy Advisor will collect data often starting on the exterior with photos and perhaps a thermal imaging camera, then moving to the inside. The data is entered into energy performance software to calculate your home EnerGuide rating.
  • Data that is collected may include:
    • air tightness, insulation levels and types of windows and doors.
    • Heating system sizes and ratings, water heaters, ventilation if any, and air conditioning.
    • Confirmation and locations of all heating and cooling locations. 
    • All wood-fired and fuel-fired heating must be turned off prior to the evaluation. It will be returned to its pre-test settings when the site visit is complete.
Important Information
  • Have your property tax information on hand
  • Make sure you understand the terms of any rebates and if you’re applying for the Greener Homes Loan, follow the guidelines carefully.
  • No retrofit work can be performed prior to the energy audit and  only after the initial report is complete with the recommended upgrades from the Energy Advisor.

Canada Supports  Energy Efficiency

What is EnerGuide?

EnerGuide is the official mark of the Government of Canada for its energy performance rating and labeling program for key consumer items—houses, light-duty vehicles, and certain energy-using products.

EnerGuide Labeling

EnergGuide labeling is designed to offer consumers the level of energy efficiency and is mandatory for the following appliances:

    The EnerGuide Home Evaluation Report. It will include a recommendation of upgrades and tips to improve your home energy efficiency.

    Upon completion of the home inspection, the Energy Advisor will provide you with an EnerGuide Renovation Upgrade Report. This report will include a list of recommended upgrades and retrofits, detailed comments from the Energy Advisor, and additional tips on how to improve the energy efficiency your home. 

      Your report might include the following:

      • Increasing the home building envelope with upgraded insulation in the attics, and basements
      • Weatherization stripping to reduce drafts around windows and doors.
      • Upgrading heating and cooling systems. Air Source Heat Pumps can provide energy savings during both heating and cooling seasons.
      • Replacing all lights with LED bulbs
      • Replace aging appliances with EnerGuide rated or Energy Star Label. 
      • Consider some simple behavior changes including drying clothes on a close line, heavier curtains on windows. See our DIY Tips for more ideas.

      Find an EnerGuide Auditor in Your Area

      Be sure to ask if they serve in your neighbourhood

       

      Town of Caledon
      • Windfall Ecology Centre  905- 727-0491
      • Eco Logic Energy Advisors 1-866-517-5530
      • Green Think Inc (Ontario) 877-394-6589
      • Green Canada Home Advisors  416-900-4186
      Mississauga
      • AmeriSpec of Canada (Mississauga) 416-410-0909
      • Energy Werx Corp (Mississauga) 1-888-417-8885
      • Windfall Ecology Centre  905- 727-0491
      • Clean Energy Solutions, Inc  403-633-6906
      • Green Think Inc (Ontario) 877-394-6589
      • Green Canada Home Advisors  416-900-4186
      Brampton
      • AmeriSpec of Canada (Brampton) 905-873-1272
      • Windfall Ecology Centre  905- 727-0491
      • Green Think Inc (Ontario) 877-394-6589
      • Green Canada Home Advisors  416-900-4186
      • Eco Advantage Energy Advisors, Inc  905-349-2387
      Peel Region
      • All Season Inspection Inc (Ontario) (416) 276-1346
      • ecoPlus Services (Ontario) 613-690-1901
      • Energuy Holdings Ltd (Ontario) 1-888-442-9577
      • Enerhold Engineering Solutions Ltd. (Ontario) 604-783-3191, 647-205-8116
      • EnerSolution Inc. (Ontario) 1-800-203-4395
      • Green Think Inc (Ontario) 877-394-6589
      • Verdatech Energy Management and Consulting Inc (Ontario) 416-402-5230
      • Windfall Ecology Centre  905- 727-0491

      Free or Low Cost Income-Qualified Programs

      Federal Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program

      Eligible Canadian homeowners can receive a payment of up to $10,000 to switch from oil heating to a new energy-efficient heat pump.

      Eligibility:

      • Home is heated by oil
      • Household income is at or below the median household after-tax income level

      Eligible measures:

      • Necessary electrical and mechanical upgrades to the home for a new heat pump system
      • Installation of outdoor piping loops for ground source heat pump
      • Safe removal of oil tank
      • Installation of backup electrical heating (as required)
      • Switching over other oil-using household systems, such as a water heater (where necessary)

      100% Free Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps

      Save on Energy—through its Energy Affordability Program—is offering free cold climate air source heat pumps to qualifying Ontario households living in electrically heated homes. The program provides a two-year free maintenance warranty and a 10-year equipment and labour warranty—qualifying households may also be eligible for other free energy efficiency upgrades offered through the Energy Affordability Program, including professionally installed replacement appliances, such as ENERGY STAR® refrigerators, freezers, window air conditioners, and lighting; weatherstripping around doors and windows; attic and basement insulation; and smart thermostats and power strips.

      Home Winterproofing Program (HWP) | Enbridge Gas

      Enbridge’s Home Winterproofing Program and the Energy Affordability Program are streamlined into one application process to offer free home energy upgrades. If your home and household income levels qualify, you’ll be eligible for free insulation, draft proofing, a smart thermostat, Energy Star® appliances and more. CLEAResult is the authorized delivery partner for IESO’s Energy Affordability Program and Enbridge’s Home Winterproofing Program. CCET is a community distribution partner with CLEAResult. Contact us to receive a free Energy Saving Kit.

      Hydro One Low Income Energy Assistance Program

      The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) pays up to $1,000 of the amount owing on your bill (and up to $1,200 if your home is electrically heated).

      Save on Energy – Energy Affordability Program

      The Energy Affordability Program, a program of the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), provides expert advice and energy-saving home upgrades completely free of charge for income-eligible households.

      If you are responsible for paying your monthly electricity bill as a homeowner or as a renter, then you may qualify for this program. The type of support provided will depend on your household income level from the previous year and how many people live in your home, or on your receipt of a qualifying government or energy-support benefit. Residents of social housing may also be eligible.

      Two Types of Support:

      Ontario Electricity Support Program

      The OESP is an Ontario Energy Board (OEB) program that lowers electricity bills for lower-income households. The OESP provides a monthly credit to eligible customers based on household income and household size. The OESP credits are applied directly to eligible customers’ bills.The OESP on-bill credit amount will depend on how many people live in the house and the combined household income after tax

      If you are a customer of an electricity utility and in a lower-income home, you may qualify for a reduction on your electricity bill. Learn more here.

       

      Rebates & Incentives

      Hydro One- Ontario Electricity Rebate

      The Ontario Electricity Rebate (“OER”) provides eligible customers with a 13.1% reduction on the amount of their bill before HST (O. Reg 363/16), as of November 1, 2024

      • The following customers are automatically eligible for the OER and do not need to complete the self-declaration form:

        • Residential and Small Commercial customers (billed under a Residential or General Service Energy rate class) using less than 50 kW.

        • Commercial accounts that are greater than 50 kW but use less than 250,000 kWh annually.

      Enbridge Fixed Incentive Program

      Fixed Incentive Program makes it easy to offset the cost of upgrading to energy-efficient natural gas technology. Working with you at every step, our Energy Solutions Advisor will help you identify opportunities, quantify potential savings and provide incentives to offset the cost of upgrading to high efficiency equipment.

      Enbridge Business Programs and Incentives

      From energy efficiency upgrades to new construction, Enbridge offers rebates and incentives for equipment upgrades, new construction, retrofits and energy assessments.

      Loans & Financing

      We're updating financing options frequently, so check back about more opportunities that may arise.

      Canada Greener Homes Loan

      Canada Greener Homes Loan | CMHC (cmCnaahc-schl.gc.ca) (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. site)The Canada Greener Homes Loan program offers up to $40,000 in interest free loans for terms up to 10 years. See more details about eligible retrofits and how to apply at the Natural Resource Canada site.

      Clean Energy Loan – The RBC Energy Saver Loan is available for RBC customers from coast-to-coast when purchasing hybrid cars, ENERGY STAR appliances, renewable energy projects, and more. You can choose between a 1% interest rate reduction or a $100 rebate on a clean energy audit with your loan.

      Mortgage Insurance Loan Rebate – If you’re using a mortgage to buy a certified green home (R-2000, ENERGY STAR, Built Green, LEED, etc), then take advantage of the 25% mortgage loan insurance rebate offered by CMHC, Sagen, and Canada Guaranty.

      Canada Green Affordable Housing Program – The Canada Green Affordable Housing Program Homeowners meeting the applicable affordability criteria are eligible to receive funding for retrofits, but must first apply for funding and carry out pre-retrofit activities (such as energy audits and energy modeling studies). CMHC will fund up to 100% of eligible retrofit costs to a maximum of $170,000 per unit; forgivable loans will be either $85,000 per unit or 80% of eligible costs

      Steps to Consider

      • Show your banker that you’ve done your homework
      • Seek out other loan and grant sources

      Home Renovations Savings program

      Enbridge Gas and Save on Energy, with support from the Ontario Government, have partnered to launch the new Home Renovation Savings™ program to help Ontarians improve home energy efficiency.

      Available Rebates

      Do Two or More Upgrades (Rebates require a Home Energy Assessment)

      • Heat Pump Water Heaters- $500
      • Windows and Doors- $100 per rough opening
      • Insulation (attic wall, foundation, exposed floor)- Up to $8,900
      • Air Sealing- Up to $250

      Do One or More Upgrades (Rebates that do not require a home energy assessment)

      • Heat Pumps- Up to $12,000
      • ASHP- Up to $7,500
      • Solar Panels and Battery Storage- Up to $10,000
      • Smart Thermostats- $75

      ASHP Installs- You must be an Enbridge Gas customer with an active account and primarily heat your home with a natural gas furnace or boiler OR be connected to the Ontario electricity grid and heat your home electrically. Additionally, the installed heat pump must be on Natural Resources Canada’s qualified products list

      More information on the Home Renovations Savings program here

      Save on Energy – Energy Affordability Program

      The Energy Affordability Program, a program of the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), provides expert advice and energy-saving home upgrades completely free of charge for income-eligible households.

      If you are responsible for paying your monthly electricity bill as a homeowner or as a renter, then you may qualify for this program. The type of support provided will depend on your household income level from the previous year and how many people live in your home, or on your receipt of a qualifying government or energy-support benefit. Residents of social housing may also be eligible.

      Two Types of Support:

      Enbridge Home Winterproofing Program

      Enbridge’s Home Winterproofing Program and the Energy Affordability Program (see Save On Energy) are streamlined into one application process to offer FREE home energy upgrades. If your home and household income levels qualify, you’ll be eligible for free insulation, draft proofing, a smart thermostat, Energy Star® appliances and more. CLEAResult is the authorized delivery partner for IESO’s Energy Affordability Program and Enbridge’s Home Winterproofing Program. CCET is a community distribution partner with CLEAResult.

      Hydro One- Ontario Electricity Rebate

      The Ontario Electricity Rebate (“OER”) provides eligible customers with a 13.1% reduction on the amount of their bill before HST (O. Reg 363/16), as of November 1, 2024

      • The following customers are automatically eligible for the OER and do not need to complete the self-declaration form:

        • Residential and Small Commercial customers (billed under a Residential or General Service Energy rate class) using less than 50 kW.

        • Commercial accounts that are greater than 50 kW but use less than 250,000 kWh annually.

      Federal Programs

      Currently paused, but if you are an existing applicant and applied before the program was delivered through Enbridge’s Home Efficiency Rebate Plus program (i.e. you applied before January 4, 2023), then you can continue to use the Canada Greener Homes Portal for updates.

      Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. Offers up to $40,000 in interest free loans for terms up to 10 years

      • Federal Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program

      Eligible Canadian homeowners can receive a payment of up to $10,000 to switch from oil heating to a new energy-efficient heat pump.

      Eligibility:

      • Home is heated by oil
      • Household income is at or below the median household after-tax income level

      Eligible measures:

      • Necessary electrical and mechanical upgrades to the home for a new heat pump system
      • Installation of outdoor piping loops for ground source heat pump
      • Safe removal of oil tank
      • Installation of backup electrical heating (as required)
      • Switching over other oil-using household systems, such as a water heater (where necessary)

       

       

      More DIY Tips

      Need more DIY Tips? Subscribe to our newsletter for monthly energy saving tips.

      Water Heater

      We all need a warm blanket on cold days. Your water heater is no different, especially if it's an older model and is located in a cold area of the house, or basement. Water heater blankets are inexpensive($30-$40) and the cost saving are worth it.

      Curtains

      Your curtains can be more than a pretty window covering. If you  have curtains made from a heavy fabric it can cut down on cold, drafty air coming in your windows.

      Light Bulbs

      Changing a light bulb is no joke! If you switch to LED light bulbs, they last for as much as 100,000 hours, or up to 14 years and the energy savings can be significant. No more light bulb jokes when it can save you a few hundred dollars a year if you switch to all LED lighting.

      COLD AIR

      • Cold air comes in the home from unexpected places
      • Electrical outlets on outside walls are small places where cold air enters. An inexpensive foam insulator will stop the drafts.
      • Weather stripping is an easy way to stop cold air from entering and warm air from leaving your house.

      AIR FILTERS

      • Replace all furnace filters regularly per manufacturer's recommendation. Your furnace will have to work harder with dirty filters.
      • Hot water radiators need bleeding at least once or twice a year to work efficiently. Here's a handy video to guide you.
      • Oil furnaces need annual maintenance. Natural gas and propane furnaces need servicing every two years.
      • Keep the heat flowing and don't block vents and air grills with objects or furniture