The EnerGuide Rating System is:

• A voluntary residential energy efficiency initiative developed by NRCan
• Assists builders and homebuyers
• Focuses on how the home's energy performance can be improved
• Enables comparison of the energy efficiency of new houses
• Uses certified energy advisors trained in accordance to NRCan requirements
• Ensures 3rd-party final as-built evaluation
• Provides label and report
• Benchmarks improvements to energy efficiency built into new houses
• Uses a version of the popular HOT2000 software to model the house for multiple Energy Rating System Programs such as:
  • EnerGuide
  • R-2000
  • ENERGY STAR®
  • Net Zero / Net Zero Ready for Houses

Program Objectives

NRCan's Objectives With The EnerGuide Rating System is:

• To increase the energy efficiency of new and existing low-rise housing across Canada
• To encourage home builders to improve the energy efficiency of the houses that they build and/or renovate in order to reduce the impact of housing on the environment
• Meet Canada's CO2 reduction goals:
  • reduce energy consumption
  • promote and facilitate energy-efficient housing
  • reduce the environmental impact of Canadian low-rise housing
• Help Canadians manage rising energy costs
• Encourage the growth of the sustainable, energy efficient, green housing sector
• Job creation

Goals of the program:

• Rate the energy efficiency of new/existing houses
• Raise the awareness of energy efficiency
• Encourage builders to have their houses rated
• Achieve an average 1 tonne reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per house
• Save homeowners energy costs

The EnerGuide Rating System takes into account:

• Airtightness
  • A blower door test will be performed to determine the airtightness of the home
• Thermal resistance (R-Values) of insulation and types of insulation used in:
  • Foundation walls
  • Exterior walls
  • Exterior ceilings
  • Shared wall between garage and interior
  • All exposed floors, including floors above garage

As an insulator you are tasked with insulating the home and installing the vapour control layer and in many cases the air control layer as well. The quality of work you do will effect the home in the following ways:

• EnerGuide rating
• Energy efficiency
• Operating costs
• Occupancy comfort
• Durability of structure

It is paramount to follow all processes properly and to the best of your ability.