Go Green to Save Green: Find an Energy Advisor Near You

Over the past few years, “energy efficiency” and “net zero” have become buzz terms in the home construction industry. Increasingly, homeowners and homebuilders alike are focusing on the environmental impact of their decisions—and keeping a watchful eye on their heating and cooling costs. But knowing whether or not your home is energy efficient isn’t just a matter of monitoring your energy bill.

For most homes, their environmental impact begins long before anyone takes up residence inside. A home’s energy efficiency or lack thereof has a lot to do with the design and construction process and the materials used.

Homeowners who want to lessen their carbon footprint could always turn off the air conditioning in summer or turn down the heating in winter but energy efficiency doesn’t have to come at the cost of comfort. With proper energy evaluations and audits, homeowners can find effective ways of improving their energy efficiency without having to make severe sacrifices.

In order to truly get a sense of how efficient—or inefficient—your home is, you’ll need the help of a qualified professional. In order to go green and save green, you’ll need the help of a registered energy advisor.

What is an Energy Advisor?

An energy advisor is a qualified specialist who can assess your home’s energy performance and make suggestions for potential energy savings. In Canada, energy advisors are registered with National Resources Canada (NRCan) and issue scores under NRCan’s EnerGuide Rating System to new and existing homes.

Anyone involved in the home construction or home renovation process can hire a registered energy advisor as a third-party consultant.

What Can an Energy Advisor Do for Me?

Energy advisors (EAs) will begin by visiting an existing home or analyzing plans for a future build and performing energy evaluations and gathering data. The EA will assess the energy performance of your home and make recommendations to improve it.

EAs may recommend switching fuel sources, suggest upgrades to windows and insulation and may even make design and construction recommendations depending on the home’s state of completion.

The ratings and labels issued by EAs can qualify your home for tax deductions and other cost-saving programs. Ask your homebuilder or EA about the Net Zero Qualification label—a Canadian Home Builders’ licensed service organization—and the Energy Star® label—an NRCan licensed service organization.

Where Can I Find a Registered Energy Advisor?

Finding a registered energy advisor to provide you with a home evaluation and recommendations is simpler than you might think.

The Canadian Home Builders’ Association has a comprehensive list of Qualified Net Zero Energy Advisors in Canada so that you can easily find a competent professional to help you improve your home’s energy efficiency. For a list of home energy advisors in Ontario or in any other Canadian province or territory, you can visit the official website of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and search for qualified professionals by postal code.

All energy advisors registered with National Resources Canada will have had the same training and will have the requisite skills to provide you with an energy audit.

Talk to Your Custom Home Builder

If you’re thinking about building a custom home, consider hiring an energy advisor to consult with your custom home builder. Energy-efficient technologies and materials work best when they’re built into the very foundation of your home.

At Stellar Homes, we believe that efficiency is a key component of luxury. Call us today at (905) 726-7778 to learn how our conscientious designs, careful construction and expert craftsmanship will build you a dream home that is as efficient as it is elegant.