{"id":13081,"date":"2020-04-14T08:00:58","date_gmt":"2020-04-14T12:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/news\/?p=13081"},"modified":"2022-01-14T12:27:46","modified_gmt":"2022-01-14T17:27:46","slug":"home-energy-audits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/home-energy-audits","title":{"rendered":"Are Home Energy Audits Worth the Cost?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When you buy a home, the most significant monthly expense<\/a> you\u2019ll pay is your mortgage payment, but it isn\u2019t the only expense. You\u2019ll also pay property taxes, insurance, and utilities. These extra bills can add up to a significant portion of your overall housing costs, especially if your home is older and isn\u2019t very energy efficient \u2013 which can lead to high heating bills.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Costly utilities can be a result of over a dozen energy inefficiencies throughout your home, including poor insulation levels, old windows, worn-out weatherstripping, and faulty heating systems. If you\u2019re considering upgrading your home\u2019s efficiency to reduce your heating bills, it might seem overwhelming to know where to start.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, there is an easy first step for anyone considering upgrading their home\u2019s energy efficiency<\/a>, and that\u2019s to have a home energy audit (also known as a home energy assessment) performed on your home. Let\u2019s look at everything you need to know about home energy audits and whether the process is worthwhile for your home.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is a Home Energy Audit?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A home energy audit requires a professional energy advisor to come to your home to assess the overall energy efficiency of the property. The energy advisor starts by measuring the square footage of your home and noting the condition of the windows and doors. Next, they\u2019ll evaluate the levels of insulation in the walls, ceiling, and basement. Finally, the energy advisor will perform a blower-door test, which assesses how much air leakage is happening around your windows and doors, letting warm air escape into the outdoors.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The energy assessment takes between three and five hours to complete. Afterward, your home energy advisor will provide you with a report recommending possible improvements and home renovations you could perform on your home to make it more energy-efficient. The upgrades will be sorted by most effective to least effective, should include an estimated cost for each, and whether they are eligible for government rebates.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, your energy advisor will prepare an <\/span>EnerGuide rating<\/span><\/a> for your home, which is an energy efficiency rating developed by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and is used to compare the energy performance of similar-sized homes.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who Offers Home Energy Audits?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Not just anyone offers home energy audits. Home energy advisors must be certified by NRCan to perform home energy assessments. Most of the time, you\u2019ll find home energy advisors working as part of green renovation companies. To find a home energy advisor near you, use the <\/span>NRCan search tool<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Much Does a Home Energy Audit Cost?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Home energy audit costs vary widely from province to province, primarily because some provinces subsidize the cost as part of their green energy rebate programs. For example, a home energy audit is just $99 in Atlantic Canada due to partnerships with provincial organizations, and the same energy assessment will <\/span>cost you between $300 and $500 in Ontario<\/span><\/a>. If you\u2019re considering a home energy audit, use the NRCan tool to find contractors near you. Call and ask for quotes from at least three contractors to ensure you are paying a fair price.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can I Be Reimbursed for a Home Energy Audit?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As we mentioned above, several efficiency organizations and utilities in various provinces have partnered with NRCan approved contractors to supplement the cost of a home energy audit, allowing you to access the service for far less than you\u2019d typically pay.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the cost of the energy assessment itself, the upgrades that are recommended may be eligible for rebates or low-interest financing. For example, the <\/span>Enbridge Home Efficiency Rebate<\/span><\/a> in Ontario makes up to $5,000 in rebates available to homeowners who complete at least two energy efficiency upgrades, and they\u2019ll even cover the cost of your home energy audit.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n