EnerGuide for Houses is an initiative between Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). EnerGuide is a program designed to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of houses in Canada. By participating in EnerGuide for Houses, homeowners may be eligible for grants from NRCan, and other incentive programs.

Homes that are energy efficient allow homeowners to enjoy higher levels of comfort at lower costs.

An EnerGuide for Houses evaluation provides information on energy-efficient improvements for your home. The Energy Advisor will provide independent expert advice on the different systems in your home, showing how your home uses energy and where energy is being wasted. You will be shown how you can improve comfort, reduce energy bills and qualify for government energy grants and rebates.

An EnerGuide for Houses evaluation includes:

• a "blower door" test to identify air-leakage points
• a comprehensive scientific energy evaluation of your house to collect data for computer modelling of your home's energy use
• an EnerGuide for Houses Report, with customized energy upgrade recommendations for your home
• an estimate of annual energy consumption, along with an EnerGuide for Houses rating and label

The cost of an EnerGuide for Houses evaluation is valued at $300 to $350. However, subsidies from NRCan make it easy for homeowners to evaluate their homes at a reduced cost. Homeowners pay approximately $150 for an evaluation. You can easily recuperate the cost in your energy savings if you implement even some of the recommendations from your EnerGuide Report.

For more information on the EnerGuide for Houses program, visit NRCan’s EnerGuide for Houses Service.