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The EnerGuide Rating System

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What is the EnerGuide Rating System?

An EnerGuide rating shows a standard measure of your home's energy performance. It shows you (and future buyers) exactly how energy efficient your home is.

The rating is calculated based on standard operation assumptions so that you can compare the energy performance of one house against another.

The home's energy efficiency level is rated on a scale of 0 to 100. A rating of 0 represents a home with major air leakage, no insulation and extremely high energy consumption.

For a brand new house, a rating of 80 or higher is excellent.

A rating of 100 represents a house that is airtight, well insulated, sufficiently ventilated and requires no purchased energy on an annual basis. Very few homes are built in Canada that achieve an rating of 100.

Typical Energy Efficiency Ratings
Rating Type of House
65-72 New House build to building code standards
73-79 New house with some energy-efficiency improvements
80 to 90 Highly energy-efficient new house.
91 to 100 House requiring little or no purchased energy

This chart gives a rough idea of what your final EnerGuide rating really means.

A one-point improvement on the EnerGuide rating scale typically reduces your home's energy consumption by 3 to 5 percent.

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Why use the EnerGuide Rating System?

The EnerGuide Rating System will provide an estimate the annual energy usage of a new house based on the house plans prior to construction. It helps new home buyers to make informed choices on which energy upgrade packages have the money-saving features that will make a good investment to include in their new home.

Similarly, the rating process helps builders understand how to increase the energy performance of their houses and to choose which upgrades they wish to offer their customers.

Builders offering the EnerGuide rating service have their house plans evaluated by a certified energy advisor. Together, they use NRCan's HOT2000 computer software to model different options, looking for cost-effective measures that will improve comfort and lower energy bills. Reviewing the house plans, they examine energy saving upgrade recommendations for:

  • air leaks and sealing
  • the proposed structure's resistance to heat loss
  • the energy efficiency of building components such as windows and doors
  • passive solar heat gain and house orientation
  • heating system efficiency and heat distribution
  • air exchange systems, including exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms

 

Builders will offer you options, but homebuyers make the final choice about what they would like to include in your home. Many of the most valuable energy improvements are easier and cheaper to install while a home is being built. Any investment in energy efficiency improvements you make at the building stage will start to pay you back in lower energy bills the day you move in.

By implementing EnerGuide advice, homebuyers will save money on their energy costs that can help pay for extra features in their home.In many cases homeowners get a better home, that costs them less than a code built home!

How does the EnerGuide Rating Service work?

If you haven't already, please read the question above to find out why it makes good business sense to use the EnerGuide rating system. When you are ready to built using the EnerGuide Rating system the process typically flows the following steps:

  1. The builder contacts the various EnerGuide Rating System Service Organizations to determine which organization represents the best fit for their needs. BEC Consulting for instance is a good match for custom homes targeting EnerGuide 84+, owner-builder projects, and multi-unit low-rise luxury residences due to our 20+ years of experience in these markets.

  2. The builder obtains an EnerGuide participant administrative arrangement (license) through their Service Organization.

  3. The builder then works with a Certified Energy Advisor employed directly by the Service Organization (BEC Consulting uses this business model) or contracts with a certified energy advisor in their area. Each Service Organization maintains an independent rosters of Certified Energy Advisors; builders who wish to work with independent advisors may spend a great deal time in contacting Service Organizations to obtain lists of Certified Energy Advisors in their area.

  4. The builder then works with their Service Organization and Energy Advisor to enrol and label houses in the program.

  5. The energy advisor undertakes an analysis of the new house plans, noting components that will affect the energy efficiency of the house (i.e. mechanical equipment, windows, building envelope, insulation levels, etc.)

  6. The energy advisor inputs this information into NRCan's energy simulation software to determine the estimated annual energy usage and EnerGuide Rating for the house as per the plans.

  7. The energy advisor also provides variations of the simulation that include energy efficient upgrades which improve the energy performance of the home. The energy advisor ensures that good Building Science principles are maintained.

  8. The "as per plans" rating and the optional energy efficient upgrades are provided to the builder for costing analysis.

  9. The builder meets with the homeowner to agree on the house specs and energy efficient components that their house will have, and at what cost.

  10. When construction is complete, the builder calls the energy advisor to come back to the house to verify the energy efficient upgrades and performs a blower door test.

  11. After the data has been collected, the homeowner is provided with the evaluation report and official label that shows the EnerGuide rating of the home. This label should then be affixed to the electrical panel.

How does the EnerGuide rating service help homeowners get value for money?

After a new home has been built, the energy advisor returns to conduct a walk-through tour of the house to confirm that the energy efficiency upgrades have been incorporated and to perform a mechanical air-leakage test on the finished house.

This final independent evaluation is for the homeowner. It provides them with confirmation of their home's EnerGuide rating – a number, or numerical range, that your builder committed to when you decided to include energy upgrades. The final rating shows that a builder has met that commitment.

The energy advisor provides the builder with a label indicating your home's energy rating. It is an official record of the home's energy performance. You may also receive an EnerGuide rating system homeowner's report outlining the home's energy rating and energy efficiency features.

Are there any other benefits to having an EnerGuide rating?

Homeowners are aware of high energy prices and are beginning to value evidence of energy efficiency. The EnerGuide rating label gives them that evidence. And when they are ready to move on, they will be selling a home with proven efficiency, with a rating backed by the Government of Canada.

By choosing energy efficiency options, you will also be making a choice to help protect our environment. By using less energy, you reduce the greenhouse gas emissions your home produces that contribute to climate change.

Where does the EnerGuide Rating Service apply?

Homes in new subdivisions. Some new home builders who construct entire subdivisions now offer one or more energy upgrade packages for their models. These packages are prepared by the builder with an EnerGuide rating service energy advisor helping to assess building plans, predict energy costs and recommend ways to increase energy performance.

One-of-a-kind homes. For an owner planning a one-of-a-kind home, an EnerGuide rating that certifies its level of energy efficiency will increase future marketability. You can obtain the one-time services of an EnerGuide rating service energy advisor to evaluate your plans and identify opportunities to improve your energy costs and comfort.

Beyond EnerGuide. The energy advisor can also help you find an ENERGY STAR or R-2000 home builder. These homes are efficient to operate and comfortable to live in. Houses built to the R-2000 Standard must achieve high energy-performance goals, be mechanically ventilated for excellent air quality and use environmentally friendly products and practices during construction.

What is the EnerGuide Rating Label?

Anyone can claim that a house is energy efficient, but an EnerGuide rating label proves how efficient it is. An EnerGuide label on a home provides valuable insight into how well a home will perform and what it may cost to operate

The EnerGuide rating label shows useful information about your home's estimated annual energy use and provides you with a record of the name and address of your EnerGuide energy advisor. This label can be displayed on your home's electrical panel. The label gives you an estimate of the electricity, natural gas or oil that you can expect to consume each year. Please be advised that the energy consumption estimates are just that, estimates. The estimate produced for your home is based on a number of standard assumptions, such as a family of four living in the home and specific thermostat settings and also the usage rates for hot water, lighting and appliances.

A one-point improvement on the EnerGuide rating scale typically reduces your home's energy consumption by 3 to 5 percent.

I just moved into my new house and want to have my home rated is it too late to have this done?

The goal of the EnerGuide Rating System is to increase the energy efficiency of low-rise housing in Canada. For a new house, this is ideally done at the design stage, where the energy advisor, builder and homeowner determine the energy efficient upgrades that will be included during the house construction. Now that the house is constructed, fewer options for energy efficient upgrades exist.

To see if your house can be labelled under the New or Existing Houses ecoENERGY program please contact BEC Consulting: Contact Us

Who are Energy Advisors?

Experts. EnerGuide rating service energy advisors are independent experts in energy efficiency for homes.

Professionals. They're affiliated with professional organizations across the country that work with Natural Resources Canada to deliver the EnerGuide rating service in your area. Both the service organizations and the individual advisors are well-versed in the application of energy-related systems, assemblies and components for improved residential energy efficiency.

Proven. Among energy advisors you'll find building engineers, architects, home inspectors, building and renovation professionals.

Certified. Before being certified, each EnerGuide rating service energy advisor must complete training in a number of fields related to residential energy efficiency and also conduct several home evaluations under the guidance of an instructor.

Monitored. As well, independent quality assurance personnel from Natural Resources Canada monitor the efforts of all EnerGuide rating service energy advisors, to ensure that their work conforms to the strict requirements of the EnerGuide rating service, and that the requirements are applied consistently across Canada.

What types of recommendations for upgrades to house plans do Energy Advisors make?

They can make recommendations in the following areas :

  • Air leaks and sealing the proposed structure’s resistance to heat loss.
  • The energy efficiency of building components such as windows and doors.
  • Passive solar heat gain and house orientation.
  • Air-exchange systems, including exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms.

What does a sample Energy Efficiency Evaluation Report look like?

The Energy Efficiency Evaluation Report is prepared by an energy advisor after the final on-site evaluation of the home is completed. This report provides the following details :

  • The home’s rating and an explanation of the rating system.
  • A breakdown of the estimated annual energy used for space heating, lighting and appliances.
  • The estimated annual energy usage of the home for electricity, gas and/or oil for a typical family of four, assuming standard heating and cooling, lighting and appliance, and hot water usage.
  • Recommendations for maintaining the efficiency of the home over time.

 

For a sample of the report visit:

ERS Report

How can I obtain a copy of the “EnerGuide Rating System: Administrative and Technical Procedures”?

To download the most recent copy of the EnerGuide Rating System Administration and Technical Procedures document for your reference please visit the following link:

Administration and technical Procedures

What is the difference between an EnerGuide Rating System evaluation and a home inspection?

While an EnerGuide evaluation does share certain traits with a standard home inspection, each provide a very unique type of home assessment

A home inspection is generally arranged to assess homes after buyers have made an offer to purchase a property or before closing the deal. Once the home has been inspected, homeowners receive a written report or checklist of all findings.

Home inspectors check :

  • The exterior
  • Foundation
  • Basement and above-ground structure for defects
  • The plumbing
  • Electrical
  • Heating and ventilation and air-conditioning systems for mechanical problems

 

An EnerGuide evaluation focuses on how a house can be improved in order to reduce energy costs and increase comfort and energy performance. The EnerGuide evaluation begins before your first visit to your builder’s model home. Builders working with the program have their house plans evaluated by an EnerGuide rating service energy advisor. They then work the advisor to develop energy upgrade packages that have money-saving features you may want to include in your new home. An EnerGuide evaluation does not replace a house inspection.

Where can I find the EnerGuide Rating System Code of Ethics?

Code of Ethics

end faq

 

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