Frequently Asked Questions

An energy assessment is a detailed evaluation of a building's energy use. It identifies inefficiencies and recommends improvements to enhance energy efficiency, reduce costs, and lower environmental impact.

A home energy assessment can help you understand how your home currently uses energy and identify upgrades to help improve its energy efficiency. We will assess your home from basement to attic. The assessment will yield an EnerGuide rating for your home and energy-efficiency report to help you make decisions about possible upgrades.

• Cost Savings: Identifies energy waste, leading to lower utility bills.

• Environmental Benefits: Reduces carbon footprint by improving energy efficiency.

• Compliance: Ensures adherence to energy regulations and standards.

• Energy Usage Analysis: Breakdown of current energy consumption.

• Inefficiency Identification: Highlights areas of energy waste.

• Recommendations: Specific actions to improve efficiency.

• Energy Savings Estimates: Impact of proposed changes.

• Action Plan: Prioritized steps for implementation.

An initial home energy assessment takes about two hours. A follow-up home energy assessment takes about an hour.

• All our staff are Certified Professionals with Natural Resources Canada as required. Additionally we have Energy auditors and engineers with specialized training and tools.
  

• Insufficient Insulation: Leads to heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer.

• Inefficient HVAC Systems: Inefficient heating and cooling.

• Outdated or defective windows or doors

• Air Leaks: Gaps in windows, doors, and walls.

• Blower Doors: Measure air leakage.

• Infrared Cameras: Detect thermal irregularities.

• Energy Meters: Monitor electricity usage.

• Software: For energy modeling and analysis.

Yes: By identifying and addressing inefficiencies, energy assessments can lead to significant cost savings in perpetuity.

• Initial Consultation: Discuss goals and scope.

• On-Site Inspection: Conduct a thorough walkthrough.

• Analysis: Identify inefficiencies and potential improvements.

• Report Preparation: Document findings and recommendations.

• Implementation: Execute recommended improvements.

In an effort to make it accessible to homeowners of all shapes and sizes without compromising quality we offer pricing based on size of the home.

Additionally we price match any competitor with respectable Google reviews.

To offset the cost of the assessments, you will receive a $600 rebate if eligible for the Home Renovation Savings Program.

Energy rebates are financial incentives offered by governments or utilities to encourage energy-efficient upgrades, such as installing energy-saving appliances or improving home insulation.

• Upfront Cost Reduction: Lower the initial investment in energy-efficient products.

• Long-Term Savings: Reduced energy consumption leads to lower utility bills.

• HVAC Systems: High-efficiency heating and cooling units or more specifically heat pumps.

• Insulation: Improved insulation throughout home.

• Windows: Energy-efficient windows and doors.

• Renewable Energy: Solar panels, wind turbines.

• Air Sealing improvements

• Heat Pump Hot Water Heaters

Contact us to determine what rebates or incentives are available in your area and the qualifications for eligibility.

• The Home Renovation Savings Program is does not have any income restrictions.

• Please contact us to learn more about other program and their respective requirements.

• We submit your application upon booking the service

• We complete the required energy assessment and provide reports outlining the energy usage characteristics, prioritized recommendations to reduce consumption and implications of each recommendation.

• Complete two or more of the recommended upgrades

• Inform us you have completed the upgrades prompting us to review the new efficiency characteristics of the home and submit a claim on your behalf for the maximum available rebate.

• Approval and Disbursement: Wait for approval and receive the rebate.

• Yes: Often, rebates can be combined with other programs such as the Greener Homes Loan Initiative.

• Please contact us for specific details as we aim to maximize the available incentives.

Provincial Government Initiative: Offers rebates for energy-efficient home improvements.

The Home Renovation Savings (HRS) Program in Ontario launched on January 28, 2025, and is intended to help homeowners save money on energy costs.

Program benefits:

• Homeowners can receive rebates of up to 30% on energy-efficient home renovations. 

• Rebates are paid within 30 to 60 days of an approved application. 

• The program helps homeowners make energy-efficient upgrades to their homes. 

• The program helps homeowners reduce their energy use and improve their home comfort. 

Eligible upgrades: 

• New windows and doors

• Insulation

• Air sealing

• Smart thermostats

• Heat pumps

• Rooftop solar panels

• Battery storage systems

Yes.

You are able to participate in the program for each property you own provided it is heated using Enbridge Natural gas at the time of the pre-assessment OR post-assessment.

The program will continue through 2030.

Program duration:

• The program is part of the 2025-2027 Electricity Demand Side Management Program Plan. 

• The program will expand in 2025 to include rebates for energy efficient appliances, such as refrigerators and freezers. 

The Next Level Consulting is licensed with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to deliver all active incentive programs.

We work with Amerispec as required for the Home Renovation Savings Program as mandated by Enbridge.

We will send an energy advisor registered with NRCan to complete your home energy assessments and support you every step of the way.

• Heat Pump Water Heaters

• Windows/Doors

• insulation (attic, wall, foundation and exposed floor)

• Air sealing

You must install at least two of these upgrades to qualify for rebates.

Some upgrades, like air sealing, can be tackled with a do-it-yourself approach (minimum air change rate targets are required for air sealing to be counted as an upgrade). For more complex projects, such as installing new windows or a heat pump water heater or adding insulation, you must hire a professional contractor.

Yes. If you have previously participated in another Enbridge Gas or Save on Energy program including, but not limited to, the Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+) or Home Efficiency Rebate (HER) programs, you may participate in this program, provided that you install different energy-saving upgrades for which you previously received a rebate.

For example, if you replaced windows and received a rebate under the HER+ program, then you will not be eligible to also receive a rebate under this program for the same replacement windows.

You’ll receive your rebate after a follow-up home energy assessment has been completed.

We expedite the process to minimize lead times.

Yes. You may be eligible for federal loan funding and rebates together.

Please review the Canada Greener Homes Loan program criteria for details.

The Greener Homes Loan Initiative provides interest-free loans to homeowners for energy-efficient home improvements, such as insulation, windows, and renewable energy systems.

• You must be a Canadian citizen

• You must own the home and it must be your primary residence

• You have a pre-retrofit evaluation and have not yet had a post-retrofit evaluation

• You have not started the retrofits for which you are seeking a loan

• You have a good credit history

• Insulation: Wall, attic, and basement insulation.

• Windows and Doors: Energy-efficient models.

• HVAC Systems: High-efficiency heating and cooling.

• Renewable Energy: Solar panels, geothermal systems.

• Air Sealing

• Hot Water Heating

• Lower Energy Bills: Reduced consumption leads to savings.

• Increased Home Value: Energy-efficient homes are more attractive to buyers.

• Environmental Impact: Contributes to sustainability.

• Interest-Free: No interest charged on the loan for 10 years

Yes: Additional incentives or rebates may be available.

Please contact us for details and eligibility requirements.

• Once we have completed your assessment we will prompt NRCAN to open up a window for you to apply directly. Your file number provided at the time of the assessment is used to validate the application.

• No. Only homeowners who own and live in the home are eligible.

• Solar Panel Installations: Significant energy savings.

• HVAC Upgrades: Installation of a ground -source or air-source heat pump as per the list of eligible equipment.

• Insulation Improvements: such as attic, basement walls, basements headers, basement slab, exposed floors above a garage, and/or exterior walls above grade

• Installation of a heat pump hot water heater as per the list of eligible equipment.

• Promotes Efficiency: Encourages the adoption of energy-efficient technologies.

• Reduces Emissions: Lowers greenhouse gas emissions.

• Sustainable Housing: Supports long-term environmental goals.

The maximum loan amount is $40,000.

The minimum loan amount is $5,000

Yes. for 10 Years

Retrofits started before submitting your loan application are ineligible for financing.

Yes, up to 15% of the loan (25% for northern or off-grid communities) can be delivered upfront to pay contractor deposits.

The balance of the loan will be delivered after the retrofits are completed and verified through a post-retrofit evaluation.

The final approved loan amount (less any upfront advance) will be deposited into your bank account within approximately 10 days of funding request approval.

You can receive up to 15% of the loan amount at the time of the initial application which is meant to serve as a deposit for your contactor(s).

You will receive detailed repayment information shortly after your loan is funded, with repayment spread equally over a 10-year period.