Energy Audit: Preparing for your 1st Audit

Energy Audit · The Program · Preparing For Your Audits · Grants

The evaluation will be conducted first on the exterior of the home and then on the interior.

You will receive a homeowner kit, including relevant publications. Please read the enclosed “Notice to Homeowner” and sign and date it if you are happy to continue with the evaluation.

Photos will be taken for quality assurance purposes and will normally be of

Property tax Bill
The exterior of the dwelling
Heating, Cooling and hot water systems
Attic Insulation
Fire places/Stoves

The advisor will access the Attic and any crawlspaces you may have. You can help your advisor by confirming the location of attic, basement/crawlspace access (please ensure that these points of access are clear of belongings).

The advisor will then work down through the property looking at toilets, exhaust fans, windows, Heating & Cooling systems and Domestic Hot water systems (please ensure that these areas are clear of belongings).

The evaluation should take 90-120minutes to complete and will include a “blower door test”. This is where air is sucked from the house to help find air leakage areas, please ensure all exterior doors and windows are closed and all interior doors are open for the duration of this test.

During the course of the evaluation several tools and other pieces of equipment are requires please let your advisor know the most appropriate point of entry that can be used.

Please do not use hot water during the evaluation (i.e. bathing, showering, dishwashing or laundry). Use of such appliances may cause the hot water system to function and combustion gases may enter the home during the blower door test.

While the evaluation is taking place, please take a moment to examine the contents of the kit and feel free to ask any questions. Your advisor will explain the contents of the homeowner kit (including the grant figures relevant to your home) before they leave.

Preparing For Your 2nd Audit

Please read the following in preparation for your 2nd Evaluation:

It is the homeowner’s responsibility to ensure that all upgrades have been carried out to the required specification as laid out in the grant sheet left by your advisor and all necessary documentation is provided.

The same person that initially signed application paperwork must be present at 2nd evaluation. Access will be required throughout the entire house. The advisor will only make one return visit all upgrades must be complete at the time of the 2nd visit.

Format of 2nd Evaluation

The advisor will photograph and collect required evidence of any upgrades
Your property tax bill should be made available to the advisor again
The advisor will carry out a 2nd blower door test. Please note this is a requirement of Natural Resources Canada for them to accept all grant applications.

Evidence of Upgrades

Has a Ground Source Heat Pump been installed? If yes the advisor will require a copy of the “Geo Exchange Application” which must be provided by the contractor, this application must be submitted to the Geo Exchange for the grant amount to be released
Has an Air Source Heat Pump or Air conditioning unit been fitted? If yes the advisor will require the model numbers of both the outside condensing unit and the indoor coil. Please note both the indoor and outdoor components must be Estar rated and above SEER 14.5. Also the advisor will require on the contractors invoice the AHRI reference number for the unit
Has a wood burning appliance been fitted? If yes the advisor will require proof that the appliance meets the required EPA/CSA standards
Have you increased any insulation levels? If yes in any areas that will not be accessible the advisor will require photographic evidence that the work has been done and will require photos of the depth of any new insulation. Proof of the R value of any insulation will also be required.
Air Leakage: The advisor will carry out a 2nd blower door test. This will require the home owner to clean out the ash of any wood burning appliances and all appliances MUST be cold.
Have you changed any doors or windows? If yes you must provide the advisor with proof that the units are E/Star for climate zone B. This can comprise of labels stuck to windows and doors showing the E/star symbol; if this label is present please leave it in place. If no labels are present or have been removed you will require from the supplier an invoice with the number, make model and that the units are E/star rated for climate zone B with a manufacturers brochure showing compliance
Have you changed any toilets? If yes you must provide the advisor with the manufacturers label from the packaging showing the model name to ensure compliance with the required standards

Please note the evidence must be provided at the time of the 2nd evaluation. If the evidence is not available at the time of the 2nd evaluation the advisor will not process the grant for that item. If you have any questions regarding the requirements please telephone the advisor before they arrive for the 2nd evaluation.

A charge is payable at the time of the 2nd evaluation