A Transparent Guide to Thrive Energy’s Services, Pricing & What’s Included
Energy testing and modeling costs can be confusing – this guide explains what each service includes and what you’ll pay.
We get a myriad of questions from customers every day. Above and beyond all other questions comes this one:
“How much do your energy assessments and testing services cost – and what do I actually get for that?”
Clearly this is what everyone wants to know, so let’s answer that. Here’s a full breakdown of our most common services, what’s included, and how they help builders and homeowners.
Remember: as with any business in this wild economic ride of 2025 – this pricing is subject to change. It’s always best to reach out for an estimate for your exact project. This blog, however, should give you a good idea and general ballpark from which to work.
Service Summary: Quick Reference
| Service | Price (Starting) | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Construction Assessment, Modeling & Compliance Reports | $500 | Energy modeling, pre-construction compliance checklist |
| Mid-Construction Blower Door Testing, Modeling & Reports | $350 | On-site test, diagnostics, updated model & report |
| As-Built Testing, Modeling & Compliance Checklist Reports | $450 | Final blower door, as-built model, compliance docs |
| Pre-Retrofit EnerGuide Assessment | $650 | Full evaluation, blower door, rebate-eligible report |
| Post-Retrofit EnerGuide Assessment | $350 | Final verification and rebate submission |
| New Construction CSA F280-12 Heat Load Calculation | $500 | Room-by-room heating/cooling load report |
| Existing Home CSA F280-12 Heat Load Calculation | $400 | Rebate-compliant load calc for existing homes |
| Heat Load completed in conjunction with Pre-Retrofit | $200 | Discounted when done with EnerGuide evaluation |
| Duct Flow & Capacity Testing (done at same time as heat load calculation) | $150 | Introductory pricing through remainder of 2025 |
| Blower Door Guided Thermal Imaging | $150/hr | Infrared + depressurization diagnostics |
Pre-Construction Assessment, Modeling & Compliance Checklist Reports
Starting at $500 (discounts available for multi-unit projects)
This is the Step Code modeling stage, completed before construction begins. It includes:
- Full energy model of your proposed design
- Pre-construction compliance report and Step Code checklist for permitting
- Coordination as needed with your builder or designer to confirm insulation, windows, and mechanical systems
Why it matters: You’ll know exactly what performance targets your home must achieve before you build — helping avoid redesigns and code delays. Can also decide at this time if it’s feasible to reach for upper tiers of Step Code for rebates ($15,000 for Step 4, $20,000 for Step 5)
Mid-Construction Blower Door Testing, Modeling & Reports
$350
Performed after air barrier completion, previous to drywall installation to verify airtightness while changes are still possible.
Includes:
- On-site blower door test (up to 2 hours)
- Diagnostic feedback and improvement guidance
- Updated Step Code model and compliance report
Benefit: Identifies leaks early, saving time and cost later in the project. Required by some municipalities, optional in others but always a good idea to have one done.
Extra fee applies where secondary units exist without adjoining door to the main house – this requires dual zone testing.
As-Built Testing, Modeling & Compliance Checklist Reports
$450
The final Step Code verification stage ensures your finished home meets energy targets and is required for your occupancy permit
Includes:
- Final blower door test
- Updated As-Built energy model
- Compliance checklist for occupancy submission
- Energuide rating label & Homeowner Information sheet for easy reference and marketing purposes as needed to showcase the home’s energy efficiency
Who it’s for: Builders and homeowners requiring verified Step Code documentation (if you’re in BC and building a new home, this is you)
Extra fee applies where secondary units exist without adjoining door to the main house – this requires dual zone testing.
Pre-Retrofit EnerGuide Assessment
$650
A full NRCan EnerGuide home evaluation for existing homes before upgrades begin.
Includes:
- Blower door test and diagnostic walk-through
- Energy model of your actual home with custom upgrade recommendations
- Rebate eligibility guidance for FortisBC, BC Hydro, or Greener Homes programs
Why it’s valuable: Find out which upgrades make the biggest impact before spending on renovations. This is a non-bias view of where it makes more sense for your to spend your dollars, depending on your priorities. Maybe comfort is most important, or maybe high utility bills are your number one priority. This is where expert Energy Advisor guidance is critical before contacting any sales person for any particular upgrade.
Post-Retrofit EnerGuide Assessment
$350
Conducted after upgrades are completed. Confirms improvements and updates your EnerGuide label.
Includes:
- On-site verification & documentation for submission to NRCan
- Updated energy model
- Rebate documentation for submission support, if required.
Who it’s for: Homeowners finalizing rebate applications and those who want concrete information on their home’s energy intensity rating after their upgrades are complete. This can help with home re-sale value, being able to display a more efficient home.
CSA F280-12 Heat Load Calculations – New Construction
$500
Providing room-by-room heat loss and heat gain calculations for accurate HVAC system sizing and is a requirement by municipalities and other AHJs for new construction.
Includes:
- Full CSA F280-12 compliant calculation reports
- Floor plan layout document
- Report suitable for permit and HVAC design
Why it matters: Ensures your heating and cooling systems are properly matched to your home’s design and that the system you’re being sold, isn’t oversized. We are regularly seeing vastly oversized systems going into highly efficient new homes that just don’t require such large heating systems. It is money back in your pocket to install a system that’s properly sized for the exact specifications and heating/cooling needs of your build.
CSA F280-12 Heat Load Calculations – Existing Homes
$400
Required for heat pump rebate programs through FortisBC and BC Hydro.
Includes:
- Assessment and model of current insulation, windows, and floor plan using LiDar technology
- Full heat loss/gain report for rebate compliance
Add-On Option: If completed with a Pre-Retrofit EnerGuide Evaluation, the cost is $200.
Duct Flow & Duct Capacity Testing
Introductory pricing: $150 (through 2025 when added onto a heat load calculation service)
This test measures airflow through your duct system to ensure proper performance. Heat pumps require much more air flower through ducting than traditional furnaces because the air coming through isn’t as warm. See our blog post on this subject here: https://thriveenergyinc.com/proper-heat-pump-sizing-and-duct-flow-testing/
If your ducts are undersized for the amount of air flow required by your new heat pump, you will be calling your HVAC installer back, complaining of noise and inefficiencies. Ensuring adequate ducting for heat pump sizing avoids costly problems through data driven decisions.
Includes:
- Airflow measurement and balancing review
- Capacity analysis vs. system requirements
- Recommendations for improvement
Why it matters: Confirms that ducts can handle new HVAC equipment efficiently and without issue.
Blower Door Guided Thermal Imaging & Diagnostics
$150/hour
A deep-dive diagnostic service that combines infrared thermal imaging and blower door depressurization.
Includes:
- Visual inspection for leaks, missing insulation, or moisture paths
- On-site diagnostics and verbal summary
- Optional detailed report available on request
Why homeowners love it: It pinpoints comfort and efficiency problems before they lead to costly issues. Usually takes ~ 2hours.
The Bottom Line
Our company really aims to provide clear, straightforward services. We also want our pricing to be easy to understand and easily accessible since it’s the first thing on everyone’s mind.
If you’re unsure which service fits your project, reach out anytime — we’re happy to point you in the right direction.
Email: info@thriveenergyinc.com
Website: www.thriveenergyinc.com
About Thrive Energy
Thrive Energy Inc. is a Kelowna-based team of Registered Energy Advisors providing Step Code compliance, EnerGuide assessments, heat load calculations, and diagnostic testing throughout the Okanagan.
All NRCan regulated work is performed under Isle Energy Consulting, a licensed Service Organization recognized by Natural Resources Canada.
