Is your hard-earned money slipping through the cracks of your home? Every month, you pay your energy bill, but do you ever stop to wonder where all that money is going?
Behind walls and under floors, energy could be leaking away — unseen and unnoticed. Drafty windows, poorly insulated walls and outdated appliances can silently drain your budget and increase your carbon footprint. A home energy audit is a handy way to uncover those sneaky energy wasters in your home.
Read on to discover how a home energy audit can help you take charge of your energy use and lower your bills!
What is a home energy audit?
So, what exactly is a home energy audit? It’s a type of home inspection and testing that looks at how your home uses energy. This includes everything from your heating and cooling systems to your insulation, windows and appliances.
What do you get from a home energy audit?
After the audit, you will receive an EnerGuide rating. This score shows how much energy your home uses each year per square metre.
Along with your rating, you'll get a detailed Renovation Upgrade Report on your home's energy usage. You'll find out where your home might be losing energy and get tips on how to fix those issues.
Ready to learn more about the advantages of a home energy audit? Here are the top 5 reasons to do it right now!
1. Save money every month
If you’re looking for a way to lower your utility bills, an EnerGuide home energy audit is a smart first step. Every home has hidden inefficiencies — drafty windows, outdated appliances, or poorly insulated walls. These problem areas may be the reason your heating and cooling systems are working overtime!
During the audit, a certified energy advisor will check your home from top to bottom. Their goal is to identify the energy-wasting areas. You’ll receive a Renovation Upgrade Report that offers specific solutions, from sealing air leaks to upgrading your furnace. When you follow these energy-saving tips, you'll reduce your energy use — and those savings show up every month on your bills.
2. Make your home more comfortable
Do you have that one room that’s always too cold in the winter or stifling in the summer? Poor insulation, leaky windows or inefficient HVAC systems might be to blame. A home energy audit can help pinpoint the exact issues causing these uncomfortable conditions.
Once you know what’s wrong, you can take steps to fix it. Making some changes can balance the temperature throughout your home, making it more comfortable year-round.
3. Increase your home’s value
Energy-efficient homes are highly desirable in today’s real estate market. Buyers are looking for homes that are not only comfortable but also affordable to operate. With an EnerGuide rating and energy-efficient upgrades, potential buyers see that your home optimizes energy savings.
Completing the upgrades recommended in your audit’s Renovation Upgrade Report can increase your home’s resale value. A home with an EnerGuide label signals that it’s efficient and won’t waste energy (or money). This can make your home stand out in a competitive market.
4. Reduce your environmental impact
Using less energy doesn’t just save money — it helps reduce your carbon footprint. A home energy audit helps homeowners find where they waste energy. The EnerGuide rating shows how much energy your home uses each year.
By making the upgrades recommended in your audit, you’ll shrink your home’s environmental impact. Switching to energy-efficient appliances and adding better insulation can help the planet.
5. Uncover hidden safety and indoor air quality issues
A home energy audit can reveal problems that affect your health and safety. During the assessment, a certified energy advisor checks ventilation, air leakage and combustion appliances, which can help identify issues like poor indoor air quality, excess moisture or carbon monoxide risks.
Problems like these often develop quietly behind walls or in attics, where homeowners wouldn’t normally look. Catching them early helps protect your household and prevent long-term damage that can be costly to fix later.
Who needs a home energy audit?
Wondering whether your home could benefit from an energy audit? Almost every house owner can. Whether you live in a new build or an older property, your home likely has some areas that could be more energy efficient.
Older homes, especially those built before modern energy codes, are prime candidates for energy audits. These homes often have outdated insulation, single-pane windows, and older HVAC systems that waste energy. But even newer homes can benefit from an EnerGuide audit. Some newer properties may have areas where energy is being wasted without the homeowner knowing it.
As more people in Alberta become aware of the long-term savings and environmental benefits, the demand for home energy audits is rising. Homeowners are realizing that small improvements can lead to big savings—not just for their wallets but also for the planet.
What does an EnerGuide home energy audit include?
When you book an EnerGuide home energy audit, here’s what you can expect:
- EnerGuide rating label: This label gives you a clear score of your home’s energy consumption in gigajoules (GJ) per square meter per year. It shows how efficient your home is compared to similar homes.
- Detailed energy report: This report breaks down where your home uses energy—and where it’s losing energy. It includes everything from your insulation levels to the efficiency of your furnace.
- Renovation Upgrade Report: You’ll receive personalized recommendations for energy-saving upgrades. These recommendations are designed to save you money, improve your home’s comfort, and reduce your environmental footprint.
Ready for next-level energy efficiency?
A home energy audit is the key to lowering your energy bills, increasing comfort, and helping the planet. Whether you live in an older home or a brand-new build, an EnerGuide audit can help you take control of your home’s energy use.
Book your Home Energy Audit in Alberta today and start enjoying the benefits of a more efficient home.
Frequently asked questions about home energy audits
What is a home energy audit?
A home energy audit is a professional assessment of how your home uses and loses energy. A certified energy advisor examines insulation, windows, doors, heating and cooling systems and air leakage to identify inefficiencies and improvement opportunities.
After the audit, you receive an EnerGuide rating and a detailed report outlining recommended upgrades.
How long does a home energy audit take?
Most home energy audits take between 2-4 hours, depending on the size of the home and the systems being assessed. The advisor performs a walkthrough inspection and diagnostic testing, such as blower door and thermal imaging tests.
What does a home energy audit include?
A home energy audit typically includes:
- A review of insulation levels
- Testing for air leaks
- Evaluation of heating, cooling and ventilation systems
- An EnerGuide efficiency rating
- A Renovation Upgrade Report with prioritized recommendations
These elements give homeowners a clear roadmap for improving efficiency and comfort.
Is a home energy audit worth it?
Yes. Home energy audits help homeowners identify where energy and money are being wasted. Customers who follow audit recommendations often reduce energy use, improve comfort and address safety issues they might not have noticed on their own.
Will a home energy audit disrupt my home?
A home energy audit is non-invasive. While tools like blower doors momentarily change air pressure in your home, the process is safe, temporary, and doesn’t require any permanent changes.
Do I need a home energy audit before making renovations?
Yes, a home energy audit should be the first step before making major energy-related upgrades. It helps ensure renovations are targeted where they’ll have the biggest impact, preventing wasted time and money.
