What are Energy Advisors?
- Home energy efficiency and building science, house-as-a-system experts.
- Registered by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to deliver the EnerGuide Rating System for new and existing homes.
- Trained to use diagnostic (e.g., blower door air leakage test) and modelling (HOT2000) tools.
What do they do?
- Provide impartial, third-party verification and ratings of a home’s energy efficiency.
- Conduct “basic” EnerGuide labeling services and in-depth engagements where clients leverage their expertise and “advise”.
- Help building professionals and homeowners make good, informed decisions on energy efficiency pathways.
- Perform inspections, tests, and modelling, verify compliance and report results for labeling programs.
- Expertise and work are recognized in Part 9 building codes nationwide and a compliance pathway for supplementary energy codes and performance pathway programs.
EA Work
EAs are knowledgeable efficiency and sustainability professionals – helping homeowners, renovators and builders make GOOD decisions – and where house components work together, and a home is safe, comfortable, efficient and durable. They are YOUR partner to successfully navigate a challenging and ever-changing landscape.
EAs can provide "basic" services (EnerGuide label/code compliance requirements, reporting/RUR). However, it is ideal to leverage an EA’s expertise beyond the basic EnerGuide process.
- FOR NEW HOMES OR EXTENSIVE RENOVATIONS engage an EA at the design stage (ideal) or during the build, to facilitate discussions with architects / designers, trades and contractors, and other building professionals to explore different opportunities and pathways.
- FOR EXISTING HOMES engage an EA to review your renovation upgrade report (RUR) and identify areas that require attention and explore additional opportunities to create a roadmap towards a healthier, more sustainable and efficient home.
EnerGuide and R-2000 are official marks of Natural Resources Canada. The ENERGY STAR® mark is administered and promoted in Canada by Natural Resources Canada
EA Skills & Competencies
EAs have a diverse set of skills and competencies.
Understanding Different Roles & Responsibilities
Canada (NRCan)
- License EAs & SOs.
- Provides home labelling for new and existing homes.
- Has established protocols = set common standards and benchmarks to evaluate Part 9 energy efficiency.
- Provides home labelling:
EnerGuide Rating System (ERS) and ENERGY STAR® for New Homes (ESNH). - ERS is a nationally-recognized rating using a standardized home energy performance rating tool that’s also a foundation for other programs and compliance requirements.
- Currently overseeing the Canada Greener Homes Grant (CGHG) program that requires ERS for program compliance.
(SO)
- An independent organization licensed by NRCan to use their official marks, software (HOT2000) and deliver NRCan's home labelling initiatives.
- Must adhere to a set of ethics and standards and pass additional SO-related exams.
- Must requalify every three years.
- Support EAs affiliated with them, provide field supervision, ensure quality control and submit the corresponding energy model to NRCan.
- Only SO submitted files can have an EnerGuide Rating System label generated for a particular building.
- May focus on existing or new homes only, or both.
- Doesn’t have to be located in the same region as the EA.
Energy Advisor
(EA)
- Licensed by NRCan to use their official marks, software (HOT2000) and deliver NRCan's home labelling initiatives.
- EA’s registration number is linked to an SO. Some EAs work with more than one SO and have multiple EA numbers.
- Must adhere to a set of ethics and standards and pass EA specific exams.
- Must requalify every three years.
- EAs submit their files through a SO.
- Can work in new or existing homes and follow the EnerGuide rating system process. Some focus on existing or new home only, or both.
- Additional qualifications are required for other programs, e.g. ENERGY STAR® for New Homes (ESNH), MURBs; etc.
- Different business relationships that can exist between EAs and SOs.
Common Business Relationships
- The EA and/or EA Company
- The EA Contractor
- Service Organizations and EAs may offer additional programs and services based on additional credentials and licensing agreements
