What is an Energy Advisor?
An energy advisor is an individual who conducts EnerGuide home evaluations on behalf of an NRCan (Natural Resources Canada) licensed service organization. Energy advisors provide unbiased, third-party expert advice on energy use and savings to builders and renovators.
The house as a system
Today, builders recognize that the various parts of a house work together as a system to create a comfortable, durable and energy-efficient building. The house system itself interacts with both tits surrounding environment and with its occupants.
The climate and environment of where the house is located plays an important role. As well, components such as wall assemblies, ceiling assemblies, heating and cooling systems, ventilation systems, windows, lighting, and live occupants all have an effect on the performance of the overall system.
At Elevate we use specialized software to determine the best approach to meeting energy performance targets of the home. The energy simulation software allows us to accurately predict how a home will perform once constructed, including energy usage. As certified NRCan certified Energy Advisors with decades of construction experience we understand building science and construction costs, which means we can advise you of best practices based on your specific goals.
Blower door testing
A blower door test can be completed on a fully constructed home or on a partially completed home which has been insulated and vapour barriered. The test will determine the air tightness of your home and identify air leaks that can cause drafts and higher energy use. This test begins by depressurizing the building. While the building is under depressurization, a home walkthrough is done to identify common areas of air infiltration; your advisor will perform a complete check of your home’s insulation, looking for gaps that may affect energy performance. There is an advantage of completing a blower door test at vapour barrier stage as it allows for repairs to be completed to the vapour barrier prior to drywall. A blower door test is included in the EnerGuide home evaluation or can be provided as a stand-alone service.
What is the benefit of an Energuide Rating?
An EnerGuide Home Evaluation may make your home eligible for a 25% refund on CMHC premium mortgage loan insurance
CMHC Green Home offers a premium refund of up to 25% to borrowers who either buy, build or renovate for energy efficiency using CMHC-insured financing. If you purchase an existing home and make energy-efficient improvements you may be eligible for a CMHC Green Home premium refund*. To qualify, your home must be assessed by a Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) qualified energy advisor before and after the energy efficiency improvements are made.
Energy-efficient Housing Made More Affordable with Mortgage Loan Insurance
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About CMHC Green Home Incentives: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/moloin/moloin_008.cfm