What is an Energy Advisor (EA)?
Energy Advisors (EAs) are experts in home energy efficiency and Building Science and work closely with homeowners, renovators and builders. They’re Registered by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to deliver the EnerGuide Rating System (ERS) for new homes and existing homes (they may be licensed for both programs). Of note, they are trained to use NRCan’s energy simulation software HOT2000 and to perform blower door air leakage testing and have strong knowledge of building codes and standards as well as the performance of a variety of building materials.
EAs have been providing services in Canada for at least 30 years in programs such as the R-2000 Housing program, EnerGuide for New and Existing Homes and the ENERGY STAR® for New Homes Program.
All EAs must pass a minimum of two proctored exams, administered by NRCan, and undergo a rigorous training and mentoring before being able to submit house files and preform on site evaluations. In addition, they are required to retain prescribed minimum levels of Errors and Omissions liability insurance along with Commercial General Liability insurance.
There are two types of Energy Advisors
1
New Home EA
Only active EAs trained and certified in accordance with NRCan’s EnerGuide Rating System V15 rules and regulations that submit files through a Licensed Service Organization can perform new home energy evaluations.
2
Existing Home EA
Only active EAs trained and certified in accordance with NRCan’s rules and regulations that submit files through a Licensed Service Organization can perform existing home energy evaluations.
Interested in becoming an Energy Advisor? CACEA members receive discounts on EA training with our partners Blue House Energy and the Canadian Institute for Energy Training.
What does an Energy Advisor Do?
Registered Energy Advisors use their expertise in combination with energy modelling software to help homeowners and building professionals make better informed decisions when choosing energy upgrades before building a new house or starting extensive renovations on an existing home.
Additionally, EAs perform the necessary inspections, tests, and energy modelling to verify compliance with home labeling programs such as BUILT GREEN®, EnerGuide, ENERGY STAR® for New Homes Program, or R-2000, and to accurately report results. This work has been recognized in building codes nationwide: the expertise of EAs in energy modelling and in the delivery of services related to labeling programs is recognized as a compliance pathway in the application of supplementary energy codes.
Background
of typical EAs
- Former building contractors
- Engineers
- Architects
- Home Inspectors
- Building Science experts
Energy Advisor skills
- Energy Modelling specialists
- Energy Design
- Blower door air tightness testing
- On site insulation, mechanical, window & door verification
- Thermal Imaging
- Building Code consultants
Energy Evaluation Services
Registered Energy Advisors use their expertise in combination with energy modelling software to help homeowners and building professionals make better informed decisions when choosing energy upgrades before building a new house or starting extensive renovations on an existing home.
The energy efficiency evaluation protocols and procedures were developed by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) with support from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and other agencies. NRCan sets the standards for implementation and authorizes various Service Organizations across Canada to provide the energy efficiency evaluation service according to these standards. These Service Organizations (SO) train Energy Advisors, administer the service according to established procedures, provide field supervision, and collate data from the house evaluations undertaken by their Energy Advisors. They provide this data to NRCan so that the national database on energy consumption patterns and potential energy savings in the housing sector is updated.
Who administers the energy evaluation service?
The energy efficiency evaluation protocols and procedures were developed by NRCan with support from the CMHC and other agencies. NRCan sets the standards for implementation and authorizes various service organizations across Canada to provide the energy efficiency evaluation service according to these standards. These service organizations train energy advisors, administer the service according to established procedures, provide field supervision and collate data from the house evaluations undertaken by their energy advisors. They provide this data to NRCan so that the national database on energy consumption patterns and potential energy savings in the housing sector is updated.
What is a Service Organization?
An EnerGuide Rating System (ERS) Licensed Service Organization (SO) is any organization whose role, under a contract or contribution agreement with NRCan, is to implement and deliver the EnerGuide Rating System (ERS) service at the local or regional level.
Service organizations manage the business relationship with their personnel providing the service to builders and the public.
An EnerGuide Rating System (ERS) evaluation is performed by an “registered energy advisor” who, in the judgement of the service organization, is trained to meet the requirements for the delivery of the service.