How to Prepare for Your EnerGuide Home Audit (And What to Expect)

Introduction

Planning to install solar panels, heat pumps, or upgrade your insulation? In Canada, many provincial rebates require one key step before you begin: the EnerGuide home energy audit.

This standardized energy assessment helps you understand your home’s current performance, unlocks access to provincial programs like Ontario’s HER+ or Efficiency Nova Scotia, and provides a personalized upgrade roadmap.

So what actually happens during the visit? How should you prepare? And what will you receive afterward? This guide walks you through everything you need to know before, during, and after your audit.

What Is the EnerGuide Audit?

The EnerGuide home energy audit is a top-to-bottom evaluation of your home’s energy efficiency, conducted by an energy advisor certified by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan).

EnerGuide Audit Parts

• Pre-retrofit audit – required before any upgrades.
• Post-retrofit audit – conducted after your upgrades are installed.

These audits generate:

What You Get from the Audit

• An EnerGuide label (0–100 rating).
• A list of recommended upgrades.
• Projected savings from each upgrade.
• Proof of eligibility for rebates from provincial programs.

Still required for:

• Ontario – Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+)
• BC – CleanBC Better Homes
• Nova Scotia – Efficiency Nova Scotia upgrades
• PEI – Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
• New Brunswick – Total Home Energy Savings Program

How to Book Your Audit

Step-by-step guide:

Steps to Schedule Your EnerGuide Audit

• Search for a licensed service organization via the NRCan database (based on your postal code).
• Contact the service provider to request a pre-retrofit EnerGuide audit.
• Book your visit — availability may vary by region and season.
• Pay the audit fee upfront — this typically ranges from $300–$600 depending on your location.

Pro Tip: Some provincial programs offer audit cost reimbursement (e.g., up to $600 through HER+ in Ontario).

What Happens During the Visit?

During the EnerGuide audit, the advisor will perform several tests and inspections:

What the Advisor Checks

• Blower door test – identifies how leaky your home is.
• Insulation review – attic, basement, walls, and crawlspaces.
• Window and door inspection – checks for drafts and heat loss.
• HVAC check – current furnace, heat pump, or boiler systems.
• Hot water & ventilation review.
• Measurement of home dimensions and volume.

How to Prepare for the Audit

• Clear access to the attic, furnace, water heater, and electrical panel.
• Secure pets before the blower door test (drafts may startle them).
• Optional: Have utility bills handy for reference.

Time required: 1.5 to 3 hours (depending on house size and complexity).

After the Audit: What You’ll Receive

Within a few days to a week, you’ll get:

What’s Included in Your Audit Results

• Your EnerGuide rating (a number showing your home’s energy efficiency).
• A report showing:
  • How your home compares to other Canadian homes.
  • Which upgrades will save the most energy.
  • Estimated utility savings.
  • An official upgrade roadmap to guide your retrofit planning.

Important: This audit is required to access rebates from provincial programs like HER+, CleanBC, and others.

What About the Post-Retrofit Audit?

Once you’ve completed your upgrades (solar, HVAC, insulation, etc.), you’ll need a post-retrofit EnerGuide audit.

What Happens in a Post-Retrofit Audit

• Your energy advisor will:
  • Confirm which upgrades were installed.
  • Record product models (e.g. solar inverters, heat pumps).
  • Re-run tests (e.g. updated blower door).
  • Generate your new EnerGuide rating.
  • Submit the final paperwork to your provincial program.

Tip: Don’t delay this audit — some rebates require that it be completed within a certain number of weeks after installation.

Conclusion

The EnerGuide home audit is your gateway to smart upgrades and valuable provincial rebates. It gives you a customized energy roadmap and helps ensure your investments are eligible for maximum savings. With just a bit of preparation, you’ll be ready to make your home cleaner, more efficient, and more affordable to heat and cool.