Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does an energy assessment take?
It takes 2-3 hours for the first assessment and about 45 minutes for the second assessment.

2. Do you need access to all rooms in the house?
Yes. This includes the furnace room and access to the attic, if one is available.

3. Is there anything I have to do to prepare for the assessment?
Yes. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, no fire must be lit within 24 hours of the assessment, and it is best if the fire pit is cleaned of ashes.

4. What is the cost of the assessment?
It costs $350 + taxes for the first assessment, and $150 + taxes for the follow-up assessment. The government of Ontario will reimburse you $150 of the cost of the first assessment 60 days after the assessment.

5. I just found out about this program, can I book with you straight away?
No. You must first obtain a registration number from NRCan. You can get a number by filling out the form at www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/registration , or by calling 1-877-953-5454

6. I had an assessment done by you with the last ecoENERGY program, do I have to get a new assessment before I start my upgrades?
No. If you had an ecoENERGY assessment done on your home after April 1st 2007, you don’t need a new assessment before your renovations, but you do need a follow-up once your improvements have been made. Only improvements done between June 6th 2011 and March 31st 2012 will be counted towards a rebate. You still need to obtain a registration number by filling out the form at www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/registration, or by calling 1-877-953-5454

7. What is the purpose of the second assessment?
We have to verify what was done to improve the house, take pictures of the improvements, take pictures of your receipts, and do another draft test.

8. If I only do one improvement, do you still have to do the draft test a second time?
Yes. The protocol from NRCan (Natural Resources Canada) dictates that a draft test is done every time, regardless of the improvements.

9. Do you sell anything, and would I have to buy what you are selling?
No, we don’t sell anything. Green Home Inspections Ltd. has opted to be a consulting company only. This ensures that the advice we give is best for you and your home, not for what might be seen as profit-motivated advice.

10. Are you associated with any installation companies?
No. Green Home Inspections Ltd. is a totally independent consulting company.

11. If I have already started my renovations, will I still qualify for the ecoENERGY program?
The rebates only cover what has been done between assessments, and what has been purchased between assessments. If you have done improvements before the first assessment, they will not be counted for a rebate.

12. You have provided me with a list of improvements. How many do I have to complete in order to get a rebate?
At least one. The rebates work on a prescription basis. We give you a list of what can be done, and you decide what you will do from the list. You will only get rebates for the improvements you make.

13. What are the rebates?
Please see the accompanying link to a PDF with a list of all the rebates. Numbers reflect rebates provided by the Government of Ontario.

14. Is there a time limit for doing the improvements?
Yes. You must do all the improvements you plan to do before March 31, 2012. You must also get a follow-up assessment before that date. Please call to book your appointment at least 2 weeks in advance.

15. Can I get several follow-up assessments and do this in stages?
No, only one follow-up assessment may be done per house.

16. I have a duplex. Can I still get an ecoENERGY assessment?
A duplex, triplex, or small apartment building up to 20 units is considered a MURB (Multi-unit Residential Building). Currently, Green Home Inspections Ltd does not do assessments for MURBs.

17. Is Green Home Inspections Ltd. a member of the Better Business Bureau?
Yes, since 2007.

18. I understand that the ecoENERGY program only requires you to check for drafts in five locations. Do you check more?
Yes. The draft test is one of the most beneficial components of the ecoENERGY assessment. We will check for all drafts in the home. We will then list them in your report and give you advice on what materials and methods to use to seal them up.