The Hottest New Party Trend...A Blower Door Test??

Have you heard about the latest themed party sweeping through eco-conscious neighbourhoods? That’s right, it’s the Energy Audit Party! 

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending my first one, and I’m convinced it’s one of the best ways to connect with neighbours and kickstart a local climate action group. 

🌱 Meet the Host 

Aisha, our passionate host, moved to Bedford Park a year ago with her husband, Ian. Motivated to reduce their carbon footprint, they wanted to make energy efficient upgrades to their home. But Aisha didn’t want to go it alone, she believed her neighbourhood could make a bigger impact together. 

So, she launched Greener Homes Bedford Park, spreading the word through flyers, school chats, and a website (check it out here)! This is also when she got connected with us - the Toronto Home Energy Network – and joined a larger community of like-minded homeowners. 

🔍 Why Host an Energy Audit Party? 

Still new to the neighbourhood, Aisha was busy meeting neighbours and introducing herself to the other parents at her kids’ school. Surprisingly, she didn’t meet anyone on the street who had a heat pump, or who even knew much about them. She needed to take matters into her own hands. Aisha wanted to show, and not just tell, her neighbours about her vision. She felt that seeing an energy audit in action could make the concept feel real. Misinformation about heat pumps and electric appliances causes hesitation for homeowners, but talking to an expert helps demystify the process. 

Since Aisha is early in her journey, it was the perfect time to invite her neighbours to learn alongside her. “I’m learning too! Why not let my neighbours see my process?” she said. Her openness planted seeds of inspiration for others to consider getting their own energy upgrades. 

🏡 So, What Happens at an Energy Audit Party? 

The evening kicked off with drinks, snacks, and friendly mingling. Kids headed to the rec room while adults gathered in the kitchen. 

Aisha shared a short introduction, then the Energy Advisor, Sarah Grant, and her colleague, Anne Hogarth from Goldfinch Energy, gave an overview of the audit conducted earlier that day. Since an audit can take up to three hours to complete, most of it was completed before guests arrived. 

What does an energy audit entail? An energy audit reveals important information about your home, including: the age of HVAC appliances, energy usage per year, insulation levels and heat loss calculations. The auditor will share their findings and help you determine the best next steps for you. Aisha appreciated that Sarah made the process fun for her two young sons and let them help out with some of the tests. 

Sarah and Anne saved the most exciting part of the audit for the party: the blower door test. 

This test uses a giant fan to depressurize the house and detect air leaks. Guests were tasked with a mission: roam around the home searching for drafts... like an energy-themed Easter egg hunt!  

Next, Sarah showed us how to check the age of a furnace. This is a key factor in deciding the best path forward for your home. Aisha and Ian’s furnace was only 4 years old, but their AC was 12. Given the relatively new furnace, Sarah noted that homeowners in a similar position often opt for a hybrid system (heat pump with their current furnace as a backup). But Sarah's audit revealed that the home was well-insulated and air-sealed, so a cold climate heat pump alone could deliver all the heating and cooling needs for Aisha and Ian’s home. 

The evening ended with a lively Q&A session, expertly facilitated by Aisha in the living room. Guests got the chance to ask Sarah and Anne any questions. It was incredible to see friends and neighbours, who started uncertain about what a heat pump was, asking questions and sharing their plans for future upgrades.  

📞Follow Up 

A month after the party, I heard from Aisha again. There had already been a heat pump installed in her neighbourhood as a result of the get-together! Soon after the party, one of the attendees had a furnace failure. They called Sarah right away and felt confident making the switch to a heat pump because of the information they had learned at the event. Without Aisha’s party, her neighbour would have been locked into another 20+ years of heating their home with polluting gases. If that doesn’t convince you of the magic of an energy audit party, I don’t know what will! 

⭐️ Want to Host Your Own? Top Tips: 

Energy Audit Parties are more than just educational—they’re fun, community-building events that spark real change. Thinking of hosting one yourself? Here are some pointers: 

• Get your Energy Advisor on board and make sure they are comfortable making the rather technical work of an energy audit visible and fun for attendees.  

• Invite everyone even if you think they’re not interested in upgrades. Curiosity grows! 

• Provide snacks and drinks. 

• Hand out flyers or postcards with contact info or group details. 

• Leave lots of time for Q&A where all the interesting questions that came up from the audit can be shared. Talk about your own home but also open up the discussion to include different types of homes around the neighbourhood. 

• Designate a note-taker during Q&A – These are nice to send out in a follow-up email. 

• Reach out to THE Network for support. 

Want to get involved in Greener Homes Bedford Park? 

Get in contact with Aisha through the Greener Homes Bedford Park Webpage: https://www.greenerhomesbedford.ca/contact  

Want to start your own neighbourhood group? 

We can help! Learn more about becoming a Partner Community with THE Network: https://www.thenetwork.to/partner-communities and email: info@THENetwork.to 

Want to get an energy audit of your home? 

We have a list to choose from: https://www.thenetwork.to/retrofit-advisors  

Bonus: Highlights From Aisha’s Q&A: 

What are the negatives of gas heating?  

• Carbon pollution, high maintenance, risk of gas leak   

What is the longevity of a heat pump?  

• Similar to an air conditioner: average 20 years   

What is the cost of a heat pump?  

• $7000 - $8000 for equipment and installation (with rebates: $5000 - $6000)   

What rebates are available?  

• Enbridge rebates  

• Goldfinch Energy keeps an updated webpage of Rebates and Loan Programs  

Can a heat pump distribute air more evenly to the upper and lower levels of your home?  

• Heat pump owners have reported that the temperature feels more even and consistent in all rooms, but this is also dependent on other factors in your home, like insulation and ductwork.   

What is the price difference to operate a gas furnace vs. an electric heat pump?  

• Operation prices are currently almost even, with heat pumps tending to be slightly lower! 

Why is this?  

• In Toronto, electricity is 3x the cost of gas...BUT heat pumps are 3-4x more efficient than gas furnaces, so your monthly bill will be very comparable 

• Gas prices are versatile and will continue to rise as gas becomes a scarce resource, and we move to renewables, so electricity is a good investment   

How can I find a good installer?  

• Connect with energy advisors and experts such as Sarah at Goldfinch Energy and Michelle at Energy Neighbour. They have a trusted list of contractors they can recommend  

• Read this handy article