Having a good Energy Advisor is as important for your home improvement project as having a good family doctor is for your health. You need someone you can trust to accurately diagnose issues and prescribe the right remedies.  

What is an Energy Advisor?  

An Energy Advisor does Energy Audits (aka Energy Assessments) of houses. They’re trained and approved by Natural Resources Canada to assess how your home uses energy, evaluate your homes air leakage and insulation levels, and suggest smart updates. They know building science, how homes are built, and the best ways to improve efficiency. They’re also skilled at collecting energy data, running energy models, and explaining the results in plain language—so you understand exactly what’s going on in your home and what updates are will deliver the biggest benefits at the lowest cost.  

When do you need one? 

If you’re just planning some small DIY Projects, you might not need this level of information. But for bigger home improvements, like installing a heat pump, the data they give you is worth a dragon’s hoard of gold.  

Energy Advisors can also literally add money to your pocket: their assessments are required for some rebates in the Ontario Home Renovations Savings Program. In other words, the only way to get money back on new windows, doors and insulation is to hire an Energy Advisor for a pre and post-project Energy Assessment.  

How to find a good Energy Advisor

An important note: If you are getting an Energy Advisor to access the Home Renovation Savings Program you can’t just pick anyone. You will need to make sure the Energy Advisor works for a service organization that is on their approved list. They will have you fill out a form to get this list. 

There are plenty of excellent Energy Advisors who are not on the approved list that can give you insights and a plan for making your home more energy efficient, comfortable and climate friendly. This is the type of information that you should pay for regardless of a rebate. 

Not all Energy Advisors are created equal. Some will rush the job while others will carefully review your entire home and, just as importantly, will sit down with you after and explain what they found and answer all your questions. We have some suggestions on how to review a potential Energy Advisor. 

Seven Questions to ask your Energy Advisor Before You Hire Them 

1. Are you NRCan certified? 

A certified Energy Advisor has met all the qualifications set by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). That means they’ve shown they understand: 

• The EnerGuide Rating System and how it works 

• Building science and construction practices for low-rise housing 

• Energy efficiency renovation techniques 

• How to collect the right data and run energy simulations  

• Good client communication skills 

NRCan certification is your baseline—no certification, no deal.  

2. How many years of experience will my Energy Advisor have?  

If you’re talking to a larger company, then don’t just rely on the company’s overall experience. The owner might have decades in the field, but the person showing up at your door may have been certified last month. Make sure you know who specifically will be conducting the audit. 

3. Have you done assessments in my neighbourhood? 

Houses from different eras have different quirks. A Victorian-era home isn’t built like a 1970s bungalow—or a 2010s townhouse. 

If your house is older and the Energy Advisor has mostly worked in newer suburbs, they might miss issues unique to older homes. 

4. Can they provide references? 

References are your proof of past performance. Try to get contacts with homes similar in age and style to yours—or in your neighbourhood. Follow up with those homeowners and ask what they liked (and didn’t) about working with that Energy Advisor. 

5. How thorough will the assessment be? 

A proper in-person home energy assessment should take 3–4 hours for an average house. Be cautious if someone says they can do it in half that time. If they say they can do it remotely, that is a massive red flag. 

6. What tests will you run? 

A complete energy assessment will usually include: 

• Blower door test – Measures air leakage in your home’s envelope. 

(These tests are actually pretty cool...we talk about them more in our article on air sealing) 

• Duct blaster test – Checks for air leakage in ductwork. 

• Insulation inspection – Measures insulation in walls, ceilings, and sometimes basements. 

• Windows and doors inventory – Reviews the number and condition to understand how it could affect heating requirements. 

• Heating and cooling system review – Evaluates your current equipment. 

7. What will your report include? 

A good report should clearly tell you: 

• Your home’s annual energy use (in gigajoules). 

• Where your energy goes (heating, cooling, water heating, ventilation, etc.). 

• Where your home is losing heat (attic, walls, windows, basement, etc.). 

• How you compare to a typical new home. 

• A detailed summary of insulation, windows, and doors. 

• Heating/cooling system details. 

• Total heated space (above and below ground). 

• A glossary of terms. 

• Clear, prioritized recommendations for upgrades. 

If any red flags come up, or they try to dodge questions on the phone, that’s a sign to call up a different company.  

The bottom line 

Choosing the right Energy Advisor is about more than a quick Google search. A good Energy Advisor combines technical know-how and lived experience working with homes like yours. They’re a key part of making your home more comfortable, efficient, and affordable to run.