Home Inspections

Energy Ratings for Realtors & Real Estate Agents
Published on July 31, 2018

Today, most homes (both old and new) consume less energy than even a decade ago. Whether it’s through improved insulation or the desire to weatherproof against the heat of Ontario summers or the frigidness of our winters, homeowners are focused on improving their home’s energy rating. This occurs either as a by-product of their upgrades, or intentionally, depending on their level of knowledge of energy ratings. As a real estate agent, you are in the position to help buyers – and owners – better understand the homes they are buying and selling. For this reason, we’ve compiled a list of 8 reasons why energy ratings are beneficial for real estate agents and the people they serve.

Large Building Air Tightness Testing
Published on June 24, 2018

Over the years, the need for higher performance buildings has helped to develop design changes that include a more efficient use of energy and resources. More and more, designers and builders are showing an increased interest in knowing the actual air tightness of the projects they are involved in constructing as a way of better calculating the building’s energy performance. This allows for more accurate expectations of how the building will make use of its energy inputs and will also allow for more accurate design engineering of the building’s mechanical systems.

Home Renovation Upgrades/Rebates
Published on June 13, 2018

Written By: Rick Miller, Service Organization Manager

Type this term into any search engine and you will notice that there are several different rebate programs available to homeowners wishing to improve their home’s energy efficiencies. Your next step is to figure out which upgrades you yourself will be eligible for, and how much rebate money you will get back on your upgrades. Depending on the program, you will then need to find a qualified contractor, or in some cases, a Registered Energy Advisor. Let’s follow Pete, a friend of mine, and see how he navigates this renovation ordeal for his own home.

Air Tightness Testing Helps Homebuilders
Published on May 29, 2018

New changes to Ontario’s Building Code will affect home builders in the coming years. Even today, a home that’s built with the latest energy performance elements will consume substantially less energy than a similar house built in 2005. And by the year 2022, energy performance requirements will allow a new house to use about 60% less energy than a similar house built in 2005.  As a builder, it’s important to get ahead of the new changes to Ontario’s Building Code and start performing air tightness testing on homes now. This way, you know – and prove – that your homes are being built to the coming standard or above.  As such, air tightness testing helps homebuilders to better accommodate client needs and keep the competition wondering how they do it because of these three reasons.

Potential Changes to The Ontario Building Code
Published on May 02, 2018

Written By: Rick Miller, Service Organization Manager

The Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP), released in June of 2016, outlined specific actions for the building sector and building code to assume, in order to aid with achieving specific targets and help to mitigate climate change.

Buildings and the energy they consume account for almost 25% of all greenhouse gas emissions (GHG’s).  Currently, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs has been holding comprehensive consultations on changes being considered as part of the next addition of the building code.

Energy Advisors Will Learn the Newest Version of EnerGuide at BSG
Published on March 29, 2018

If you’re currently an Energy Advisor, or looking to become one, and you want to keep well ahead of the curve, then Barrier Sciences Group has an EnerGuide instruction program for you. We offer professional courses to prepare for both the Foundations Level Exam and the Energy Advisor Exam. Both of these exams are required to become a Registered Energy Advisor.

The newest version of the EnerGuide Rating System (Version 15) will be taught as a part of both courses. Version 15 offers an improved rating system that adds more value to the existing home energy audits. Today, while Canada transitions to the new system nation-wide, some Advisors will continue to use the existing 0-100 rating scale depending on where they operate.

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

Energy Audits and The Canadian Homeowner
Published on March 23, 2018

Written By: Rick Miller, Service Organization Manager

We are Canadian and proud of it, even when the outside temperature dips below -30 °C. Fortunately, we have a warm haven at the end of the day that we call home. It’s where we live and raise our families in this often unruly climate. Still, it’s not all bad as spring turns to summer, and homeowners turn off their furnaces and switch on their air conditioners.

A Better Understanding of the Union Gas Home Reno Rebate Program
Published on March 07, 2018

The main benefit of Union Gas Home Reno Rebate Program is the substantial cash rebate that helps homeowners to upgrade home energy efficiency. Union Gas has partnered with the Ontario government to provide rebates of up to $5,000 for energy improvements, upgrades, and retrofits.

Ontario property owners can qualify for significant rebates when upgrading home insulation. As part of the Green Ontario Fund, the rebates are designed to offset the upfront costs of insulation upgrades. The aim is to markedly improve energy efficiency and therefore reduce gas emissions.

An EnerGuide Report is Sure to Benefit Your Home
Published on February 27, 2018

Accredited by the Government of Canada, EnerGuide is the energy performance standard for homes, vehicles, and appliances. Regardless of the size of your home, energy consumption and energy efficiency should be at the forefront. With the EnerGuide Rating System (and EnerGuide Report) it's easy to understand energy consumption patterns and consider viable improvements.

An EnerGuide Report must be issued by a Certified Energy Auditor, and is recognized by Natural Resources Canada. The aim of an EnerGuide Rating is to give you, the homeowner, a basic "game plan" to improve home energy efficiency, consume less energy, and save on utilities. By 2019, every home will need an EnerGuide Rating prior to sale - a better rating means added value.