Barrier Sciences Group Introduces the Ultimate Home Energy Assessment

Published on March 26, 2018

Recently, Natural Resources Canada has engaged with industry partners to update the EnerGuide Rating System across the country. Needless to say, there will be a transition period between the existing rating system and the new updates. Canada is still transitioning nation-wide, so some Energy Advisors will continue to use the existing 0-100 scale. However, Ontario has already implemented the new version province-wide. As it is, EnerGuide ratings express the overall energy performance of a home (or building). An Energy Advisor is tasked with formulating an energy rating by assessing a building’s energy performance and using specialized energy simulation software from Natural Resources Canada.

Barrier Sciences Group is already using the new EnerGuide Rating System

At the leading edge of home energy services, Barrier Sciences Group offers customers the ultimate in energy assessment, along with cost-effective options for improving energy performance. We are professional Energy Advisors, registered with Natural Resources Canada, and equipped with the latest diagnostic equipment. Our EnerGuide assessments incorporate both the exterior and interior of a building, and reflect the most current assessment protocols from NRCan. As we are already using the new EnerGuide Rating System, BSG professionals can provide the most accurate and relevant data, therefore allowing for viable improvements to be made.

The newly updated EnerGuide Rating System is much easier to understand

For our customers, the priority for BSG is to better communicate some of the complex aspects of energy efficiency. For example, with the new EnerGuide System, it’s important to understand that a lower rating on the scale indicates better energy performance. In other words, homes that are highly energy efficient are going to rate low with EnerGuide. The ultimate aim for the future is an annual rating of ZERO GIGAJOULES per year – this is how a NET ZERO home or building would be performing – it will essentially produce as much energy as it is consuming throughout the year.

If you’re a new homebuyer, it will be easier to understand how the new home will be consuming energy. For a first time buyer, this is especially important in order to understand what to expect in terms of home energy performance from basement to roof. As for home sellers, the new style of EnerGuide Label makes for an easy-to-understand performance summary and rating. Today, whether buying or selling, everyone seems to have more interest in home energy consumption and performance. For some of us, it’s for environmental reasons, for others it’s for financial reasons.

Getting an EnerGuide Home Evaluation from Barrier Sciences Group

In Canada, a Registered Energy Advisor must perform an EnerGuide Home Evaluation. At Barrier Sciences Group, our in-house Energy Advisors are fully accredited by Natural Resources Canada.

1. Getting an EnerGuide report and rating is the first step in understanding various aspects of home energy performance. The newest rating system (and label) will reflect the overall energy consumption of a home in Gigajoules Per Year (the lower the rating, the better).
2. The next step in the process is the Homeowner Information Sheet. Barrier Sciences Group will present this, with details of the home’s energy consumption patterns, and the associated rating. Home insulation, mechanical ventilation, and HVAC efficiency are all covered.
3. The Renovation Upgrade Report offers recommendations for various energy upgrades and/or retrofits. This is a detailed “roadmap” that the BSG team will prepare in order to identify the improvements that will best address energy performance (short and long term).
4. The last step in the process is the follow-up Home Evaluation. This is designed to accurately show how the energy upgrades/retrofits have improved the energy performance of the home. This evaluation also provides an updated, current EnerGuide rating (and label)

In improving home energy performance, homeowners are encouraged to make the upgrades that will contribute most to improved performance. As such, there are a host of rebates and incentives available to offset the cost of upgrades and retrofits. With BSG on board, homeowners can rest assured of the most professional approach to home energy:  with relevant performance data, highly competent assessment, and expert recommendations on the most cost-effective fixes.

The future of EnerGuide and home energy performance

With more and more focus on reducing home energy consumption, more and more homes will be required to perform formal energy audits. Performance will be measured on such elements as heating and cooling, as well as insulation and ventilation. Indeed, in the very near future, energy audits, energy ratings, and energy labels will be standard (particularly when selling a property).

To find out more, and to arrange for a home energy assessment, contact Barrier Sciences Group at 1-866-333-3920 or visit our website at https://www.barriersciences.com .