If the Greener Homes Loan program isn’t open anymore… why are people still getting EnerGuide Evaluations done?
It’s a fair question, and one we’ve come across a lot lately.
Ever since the Canada Greener Homes Loan program closed to new applications at the end of day on Oct 1st, many people assumed that the need for EnerGuide home evaluations would disappear right along with it.
To be honest, we sort of worried that would be true too. And yet, we’re still seeing homeowners across the Okanagan booking these evaluations every week, even without the interest-free loan incentive.
I mean, really, it makes sense. Energuide Evaluations were here long before the interest-free loan program popularized them and serve a purpose far beyond just access to an incentive.
So… why have one done without the government incentive?
1. Because high utility bills haven’t gone anywhere
Energy costs are still rising, and even a well-built home can have hidden weak points that quietly drain comfort (and money).
Homeowners are scheduling EnerGuide Evaluations simply because they want to understand where their energy is going, how to reduce operational costs, or how to make their home more healthy & comfortable.
We often hear things like:
“I want to know if it’s my furnace, insulation, hot water tank, or windows that are making my bills so high.”
An EnerGuide evaluation gives a clear, unbiased breakdown of your home’s performance, including where you’re losing heat, how efficient your systems really are, and what upgrades will make the biggest difference. This is paired with on-site, personalized advice from your Energy Advisor based on what their experience allows them to see and what they would do for their own home, were they in your shoes.
Here’s an example: your hot water tank may be a huge energy suck, but using natural gas, which is a lot less expensive than electricity. So while this would add to the inefficiency of the home, it may not be the culprit for high energy bills. An Energy Advisor has the skills and knowledge to advise on exactly this sort of situation, considering the whole house and how different factors inter-play.
2. Because people want data before they spend thousands
Installing a heat pump, or replacing windows isn’t cheap, and guessing wrong can cost more than the upgrade saves.
An EnerGuide evaluation helps homeowners:
- Prioritize upgrades based on measured energy loss, not sales pitches.
- Compare potential savings from insulation, HVAC, or window upgrades.
- Avoid wasting money on work that won’t deliver meaningful results.
An Energuide Evaluation is a lot like getting a home inspection, but focused on energy efficiency and comfort and homeowner priorities instead of structure.
3. Because comfort matters just as much as efficiency
Not every homeowner books an evaluation to chase rebates or loans.
A lot of people just want their home to feel more comfortable to live in – warmer in winter, cooler in summer, free of annoying cold spots or drafts, and to be a healthy enviroment.
Here are some examples of what homeowners will sometimes say:
“We upgraded the windows, but the bedrooms still feel cold. Why?”
“I want to upgrade my windows because there’s always water condensation on them – will this solve the problem”
“I’m thinking about installing a heat pump, but want to make sure it makes sense for my home.”
“We bought this house a year ago, and after living in it for a while we’ve realized how high the utilty costs are. What can we do to help reduce the operational costs?
“Our house is uncomfortable in the summer. The top floor is too hot and the basement is too cold, what can we do?
A Pre-Retrofit EnerGuide Evaluation identifies why, whether it’s air leakage, uninsulated rim joists, duct imbalance, improper ventilation or inadequate attic insulation. Once you know the root cause, the fix becomes much clearer. Trying various expensive upgrades, hoping one will fix the issue is a risky way to problem-solve.
4. Because it’s a smart planning tool for future renovations
Some people aren’t upgrading right away, but they’re gathering data now to plan better renovations later.
For example:
- A homeowner planning a renovation next spring might get an evaluation this fall to benchmark their current performance and highest priorities for their project.
- Another might be a homeowner preparing to install a heat pump next year and wanting to know if their ductwork can handle it. We do duct flow testing as well – see our blog post here.
- You’re planning on doing a large scale renovation, but also want to improve the efficiency of the home at the same time.
A Pre-Retrofit EnerGuide Evaluation gives homeowners a professional, technical energy model that can be used now, or referenced later, like a roadmap for efficient upgrades. That said, not all Energy Advisors are created equal and won’t all have the same expertise and attention to detail to offer – see our blog post on this here.
5. Because homeowners want unbiased, situation-based advice – not sales advice
This one comes up a lot and is a high priority value of our company.
When homeowners ask three different contractors what to do first, they often get three completely different answers:
- “Start with the furnace.”
- “No, it’s definitely your attic.”
- “You need new windows.”
An EnerGuide Evaluation cuts through the noise to give real answers.
We don’t sell furnaces, windows, insulation, or anything of the sort. National Resources Canada regulates Energy Advisors and requires that they be unbiased sources of information for homeowners. The Energy Advisor role is to provide independent, data-driven recommendations so you can make confident decisions based on facts, not sales pressure.
6. Because improving efficiency is still a great investment
Even without a loan, improving your home’s efficiency pays off over time.
Energy retrofits can:
- Lower your heating and cooling costs permanently
- Increase resale value
- Reduce noise and drafts
- Extend the life of your mechanical systems
And because BC’s building standards are moving steadily toward higher efficiency (due to BC Energy Step Code and upcoming Low Carbon Step Code), homeowners who invest now will be ahead of the curve when future requirements tighten.
The Bottom Line
Even without the Canada Greener Homes Loan, the Pre-Retrofit EnerGuide Evaluation remains one of the most valuable things a homeowner can do before making mechanical equipment and envelope upgrades.
It’s about information, not incentives – helping you understand how your home performs, where your money is best spent, and how to make meaningful improvements that last.
If you’re curious about how your home stacks up, or you just want to stop guessing what’s driving those heating bills, reach out anytime.
We’re happy to help you see what’s really going on behind the walls and will always work for you and your best interest.
Read about EnerGuide Evaluations from National Resources Canada here
email: brett@thriveenergyinc.com
website: www.thriveenergyinc.com
