Overview of the Energy Audits

“Premier Dalton McGuinty is defending a plan to saddle homeowners with a mandatory $300 energy audit as part of his Green Energy Act, dismissing critics who say this is yet another way to tax overburdened residents. Forcing people to conduct audits is a good idea, McGuinty said, because it will allow buyers to know their energy costs.” The Canadian Press

Briefly, an energy audit is an assessment done to determine the energy efficiency of your home and where you can improve. The test costs $300 but can show you how you can save up to 30% of your annual energy bill, apply for government grants and reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. You can apply for a Ontario Home Energy Audit rebate to get up to $150 back with a certificate from a certified energy auditor. I feel that 'voluntary energy audits are great and the benefits are easily quantified.

As a Toronto real estate agent – I have many concerns with the term mandatory. Sellers are already struggling with lower house prices, a depressed real estate market, the negative effects of the Toronto Land Transfer tax and a weak economy. They do not want to have to do a mandatory energy audit in order to sell. If Mr. McGuinty wants buyers to know their energy costs - wouldn't the simplest way be to show them the heat and hydro bills for the past two years? Have I missed something? If the Buyers want to determine how to reduce those costs – they can do an energy audit once they own the home.

Some of the tests that are done are checking: your home’s insulation levels, the efficiency of your heating and cooling equipment, the standby power loss of your appliances, air leakage spots in your home and more. You end up with a list of energy improvements you can make.
If you do the improvements within 18 months and have another Energy audit – you can apply for all types of Ontario and federal ecoENERGY grants for various items such as:
Attic or roof — insulation up to $1,200
Air sealing — for your home up to $600
Windows & doors — $60 for each replacement unit
Toilets — $100 for each replacement unit
Furnaces — high-efficiency gas or oil, up to $1,000
Central air conditioners — replacement $400
Hot water heaters — condensing gas or propane $606

For more information on Energy audit specifics– go to : www.mei.gov.on.ca.wsd6.korax.net/english/energy/conservation/?page=home-energy-audit-and-retrofit-rebate-programs or google: Ontario Energy audits (as of writing there were 97,200 entries to choose from).