Some homeowners are intimidated that part of the Union Gas or Enbridge rebate must be used on a before-and-after energy audit.
What if my house doesn’t qualify? Will I still have to pay for the audit? (Ssshh – in most cases, no, but don’t say I told you.)
Who has the final say? Not the people doing the install! We get to stay neutral in your audit and bring in the auditor to review visually, with blower door tests and/or with software modelling to help you determine what you qualify for.
Is it worth it to upgrade if I don’t qualify for a rebate? Sometimes. But a reputable insulation company like Eco, can come in and do a free assessment of insulation and air sealing and show you where the heat is being lost (or the more expensive AC in the summer time). And we can help you gauge whether you qualify, and the kind of savings and comfort improvement you may see.
We work closely with the auditor – from training, to sharing photos of jobs and results – so there should be no surprises.
Here is a nice overview of an Energy Audit I had Steve Ramoul write up for me – Steve is with The Home Inspectors Group Inc.
www.thehomeinspectorsgroup.com
“A home energy audit is an assessment of your home’s current energy efficiency. The energy audit will reveal areas where you can make improvements (called retrofits) to improve your home’s energy efficiency, in turn helping you conserve energy and save money.
Here’s what to expect:
- An energy audit includes an inventory and thorough assessment of your home’s current heating, ventilation and cooling equipment and building envelope.
- A blower door test will be conducted to determine if your home has air leakage which can cause wasted energy, uncomfortable drafts and poor air quality.
- Your home will be given an energy score using the Natural Resources Canada EnerGuide Rating System – the higher the score the better.
- During your energy audit, you will receive recommendations for improvements (called retrofits) that can help you maximize your home’s energy efficiency, reduce your energy bills and increase home comfort.”
