What is an EnerGuide evaluation, and what do you get?

An EnerGuide evaluation is a standardised assessment of how a home uses energy, carried out by a registered Energy Advisor. It is the basis for most efficiency rebate programs, and it is genuinely useful on its own.

The visit

The advisor spends roughly one to two hours on site: measuring rooms, checking insulation levels, noting window types, and recording details of the heating, cooling, ventilation and hot-water systems. Nothing invasive, it is observation and measurement.

The blower-door test

A calibrated fan is fitted to an exterior door and used to depressurise the house. This measures air leakage, one of the biggest and least visible drivers of heat loss. The result is a number you can track before and after upgrades.

The model and rating

All of that data goes into national energy-modelling software, which produces your EnerGuide rating (measured in gigajoules per year) and models how much energy and cost each potential upgrade would save.

How to use the homeowner report

• Look at the ranked upgrades. They are ordered by impact. Start at the top.
• Check the payback. Some measures pay for themselves quickly; others are comfort or durability plays.
• Bundle with planned work. Re-siding anyway? That is the moment to add exterior insulation.
• Keep it for resale. A good rating and a clear upgrade history is a selling point.

Next step

See EnerGuide evaluations, or read how rebates work.