# Next Level Consulting (The NXT LVL Consulting Inc.)

> Independent energy consultants in Aurora, Ontario, serving buildings across Ontario since 2020. Certified Energy Managers and Registered Energy Advisors. Energy audits (ASHRAE Level 1 and 2), Ontario EWRB and Toronto energy reporting, energy modelling, incentive applications, EnerGuide home energy assessments, and a free industry energy benchmark. Authorized partner of Peak Energy Solutions Corp., whose energy management program Next Level delivers locally.

Contact: 416-402-5230 · office@thenextlevelconsulting.ca · 531 Wellington St. W., Aurora, Ontario. Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM.

Full reference text with every guide, program and benchmark: https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/llms-full.txt

## Pages
- [Home and free industry benchmark](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/): Seven-question benchmark comparing a building with Ontario medians for its type, from our analysis of 2024 EWRB data.
- [Our services](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/services/): ASHRAE Level 1 and 2 energy audits, Ontario EWRB and Toronto benchmarking reports, energy modelling and incentive applications for commercial, condo and industrial buildings across Ontario.
- [EWRB reporting](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/ewrb-reporting/): EWRB is Ontario's Energy and Water Reporting and Benchmarking rule (O. Reg. 506/18): buildings of 50,000 sq ft and up report by July 1. Who must report, Toronto's bylaw, deadlines, and how we file for you.
- [New construction](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/new-construction/): Energy modelling for Ontario builders: SB-12 Performance Path and 9.36 compliance, HOT2000 modelling, heating and cooling design, blower door testing, ENERGY STAR and Net Zero certification support.
- [Peak Energy program](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/peak-energy-program/): Peak Energy's energy management program delivered locally by Next Level Consulting: monitoring, controls, 24/7 management, condition-based maintenance and capital projects with a guaranteed net-positive return.
- [Incentives](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/incentives/): Energy incentives for Ontario buildings in 2026: Save on Energy Retrofit, Enbridge Gas Custom Retrofit, Toronto Energy Retrofit Loans, CMHC MLI Select and the federal Clean Technology tax credit, found, stacked and secured.
- [Homeowners](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/homeowners/): EnerGuide home energy assessments from a registered Energy Advisor, plus help claiming Home Renovation Savings rebates, Toronto HELP loans and the federal heat pump rebate across Ontario.
- [CMHC Eco Plus](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/cmhc-eco-plus/): How to claim the CMHC Eco Plus 25% mortgage insurance premium refund on an energy-efficient new home in Ontario: eligibility, the 20% EnerGuide test, deadlines, and Sagen and Canada Guaranty equivalents.
- [Why us](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/why-us/): How Next Level Consulting compares with energy auditors, monitoring software and large energy services firms, and the results Ontario building owners have achieved.
- [Guides](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/guides/): Plain-language guides to Ontario energy rebates, EWRB reporting, energy audits, building code energy rules and heat pumps, written and checked by Ontario energy consultants.
- [Home rebate estimator](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/home-rebate-estimator/): Pick the upgrades you're planning and see the maximum Home Renovation Savings rebates available in Ontario, how to unlock bundle rebates, and which loans and federal rebates apply.
- [About us](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/about/): Next Level Consulting (The NXT LVL Consulting Inc.) is an independent Ontario energy consultancy based in Aurora: Registered Energy Advisors and Certified Energy Managers serving homes and buildings since 2020.
- [Ontario building energy benchmarks](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/ontario-building-energy-benchmarks/): Median energy use intensity, emissions and ENERGY STAR scores for 6,740 large Ontario buildings by type and region, analysed from the province's 2024 EWRB open data. Office, multi-unit residential, retail, warehouse and more.
- [EWRB checker](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/ewrb-checker/): Answer three questions to see whether your building must report under Ontario's EWRB rule or Toronto's bylaw, your deadlines, and whether data verification applies.
- [MLI Select calculator](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/mli-select-calculator/): Estimate your CMHC MLI Select energy efficiency points for an existing or new rental building, and see what 50, 70 or 100 total points unlock in amortization and loan-to-value.
- [ASHRAE Level 1 energy audit](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/ashrae-level-1-energy-audit/): ASHRAE Level 1 walk-through energy audits for Ontario commercial, condo and industrial buildings: utility bill analysis, benchmark, site walk-through, low-cost savings and a shortlist of capital projects.
- [ASHRAE Level 2 energy audit](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/ashrae-level-2-energy-audit/): ASHRAE Level 2 energy surveys and analysis for Ontario buildings: energy use by system, costed energy conservation measures with savings and payback, and the documentation Save on Energy, Enbridge and Toronto Energy Retrofit Loans ask for.
- [ASHRAE Level 3 energy audit](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/ashrae-level-3-energy-audit/): ASHRAE Level 3 investment-grade energy audits for major retrofits in Ontario: metering, calibrated energy models and detailed cost estimates for capital-intensive projects and financing decisions.
- [EWRB data verification](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/ewrb-data-verification/): Ontario EWRB data verification for buildings of 100,000 sq ft (9,290 m²) and larger: required in the first reporting year and every five years. What gets checked, and how to prepare your Portfolio Manager data.
- [Condos and rental buildings](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/condo-energy-audit/): Energy audits, EWRB benchmarking, reserve fund capital planning and incentives for Ontario condominium corporations and rental apartment buildings, including CMHC MLI Select energy points and Toronto Energy Retrofit Loans.
- [EnerGuide home evaluation](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/energuide-home-evaluation/): EnerGuide home energy evaluations by an NRCan registered Energy Advisor: blower door test, EnerGuide rating and renovation report. Required for Home Renovation Savings bundle rebates, Toronto HELP and Durham Greener Homes.
- [Heat pump sizing](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/heat-pump-sizing/): Room-by-room heat loss and heat gain calculations to CSA F280 so your heat pump is sized for your actual home, not a rule of thumb. Independent of any contractor, with rebate guidance.
- [Blower door test](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/blower-door-test/): Blower door airtightness testing for Ontario builders and homeowners: mid-construction and final tests, ACH50 results for SB-12 Performance Path compliance, ENERGY STAR, Net Zero and EnerGuide.
- [SB-12 compliance report](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/sb-12-compliance-report/): SB-12 energy efficiency compliance for Ontario building permits: prescriptive package selection, Performance Path energy modelling (required over 22% glazing), and the energy efficiency design summary your building department needs.
- [Energy audits in Toronto](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/energy-audit-toronto/): Energy audits, EnerGuide home assessments, EWRB reporting and rebate help in Toronto, from an independent energy consultant based in Aurora. Local programs, utilities and incentives explained.
- [Energy audits in Aurora](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/energy-audit-aurora/): Energy audits, EnerGuide home assessments, EWRB reporting and rebate help in Aurora, from an independent energy consultant based in Aurora. Local programs, utilities and incentives explained.
- [Energy audits in Newmarket](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/energy-audit-newmarket/): Energy audits, EnerGuide home assessments, EWRB reporting and rebate help in Newmarket, from an independent energy consultant based in Aurora. Local programs, utilities and incentives explained.
- [Energy audits in Richmond Hill](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/energy-audit-richmond-hill/): Energy audits, EnerGuide home assessments, EWRB reporting and rebate help in Richmond Hill, from an independent energy consultant based in Aurora. Local programs, utilities and incentives explained.
- [Energy audits in Markham](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/energy-audit-markham/): Energy audits, EnerGuide home assessments, EWRB reporting and rebate help in Markham, from an independent energy consultant based in Aurora. Local programs, utilities and incentives explained.
- [Energy audits in Vaughan](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/energy-audit-vaughan/): Energy audits, EnerGuide home assessments, EWRB reporting and rebate help in Vaughan, from an independent energy consultant based in Aurora. Local programs, utilities and incentives explained.
- [Energy audits in Mississauga](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/energy-audit-mississauga/): Energy audits, EnerGuide home assessments, EWRB reporting and rebate help in Mississauga, from an independent energy consultant based in Aurora. Local programs, utilities and incentives explained.
- [Energy audits in Brampton](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/energy-audit-brampton/): Energy audits, EnerGuide home assessments, EWRB reporting and rebate help in Brampton, from an independent energy consultant based in Aurora. Local programs, utilities and incentives explained.
- [Energy audits in Durham Region](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/energy-audit-durham-region/): Durham Greener Homes deep retrofit rebate (up to $5,000, plus up to $5,000 more in Whitby) needs pre- and post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluations. We do them, plus energy audits and EWRB reporting for Durham Greener Buildings.
- [Energy audits in Waterloo Region](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/energy-audit-waterloo-region/): Retrofit Waterloo Region (2026 to 2030): 2.5% home retrofit loans, heat pump incentives up to $2,500 and pre- and post-retrofit assessments. Energy audits and EWRB reporting for Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge buildings.

## Guides
- [Ontario energy rebates and incentives: the 2026 tracker](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/guides/ontario-energy-rebates-2026/): Every energy rebate, loan and incentive open to Ontario homeowners and building owners in 2026: Home Renovation Savings, the federal heat pump rebate, Toronto HELP, Save on Energy, Enbridge and CMHC. Checked monthly.
- [How much does a home energy assessment cost in Ontario?](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/guides/home-energy-assessment-cost-ontario/): An EnerGuide home energy assessment in Ontario typically costs $600 to $1,000 for the pre- and post-retrofit evaluations, and Home Renovation Savings rebates $600 when you complete a bundle. When you need one, and when you don't.
- [EnerGuide assessment vs ASHRAE energy audit: which one do you need?](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/guides/energuide-vs-ashrae-energy-audit/): The difference between an EnerGuide home energy assessment and an ASHRAE Level 1, 2 or 3 commercial energy audit: who needs which, what each includes, and which one unlocks Ontario rebates.
- [Ontario EWRB vs Toronto's energy reporting bylaw: what's the difference?](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/guides/ewrb-vs-toronto-energy-reporting/): Ontario's EWRB regulation and the City of Toronto's energy and water reporting bylaw compared: which buildings report, deadlines (July 1 vs July 2), the 2027 small-building expansion, and verification.
- [SB-12 Performance Path vs prescriptive packages: a builder's guide](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/guides/sb-12-performance-path-vs-prescriptive/): How Ontario builders meet SB-12 energy efficiency rules: prescriptive compliance packages vs the Performance Path with energy modelling, when modelling is mandatory (over 22% glazing), and ENERGY STAR or R-2000 alternatives.
- [Heat pump vs gas furnace in Ontario: how to decide](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/guides/heat-pump-vs-furnace-ontario/): Cold-climate heat pump, gas furnace or a hybrid of both? An Ontario guide to how each performs in winter, what drives the cost, and the rebates and loans available in 2026, including the new federal heat pump rebate.

## Incentive program pages
- [Toronto Home Energy Loan Program (HELP)](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/incentives/toronto-help-loan/): HELP is the City of Toronto's low-interest loan for home energy upgrades: up to $125,000 or 10% of the property's current value assessment, whichever is less, at fixed rates from 3.83% to 5.12%, repaid through the property tax bill over 5 to 20 years.
- [Toronto Energy Retrofit Loans (ERL)](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/incentives/toronto-energy-retrofit-loans/): The City of Toronto's Energy Retrofit Loans finance up to 100% of the cost of energy and low-carbon retrofits at a rate equal to the City's cost of borrowing, with terms up to 30 years. Applicants need an ASHRAE Level 2 or equivalent description of the building, a feasibility study and a decarbonization plan.
- [Existing Building Commissioning (EBCx) program](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/incentives/existing-building-commissioning/): Save on Energy's Existing Building Commissioning program pays commercial and institutional building owners to tune up the systems they already have: up to $0.06 per sq ft for the investigation, then $0.03 per kWh for savings implemented and for savings that persist a year later.
- [Save on Energy Small Business Program](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/incentives/small-business-program/): The Small Business Program gives Ontario businesses with 50 or fewer employees a free on-site assessment and free installation of eligible upgrades: up to $3,000 for lighting and up to $2,500 for non-lighting equipment such as refrigeration and HVAC.
- [Enbridge Gas Commercial Custom Retrofit incentive](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/incentives/enbridge-commercial-custom-retrofit/): Enbridge Gas's Commercial Custom Retrofit program pays up to $0.40 for each cubic metre of natural gas a project saves, up to 75% of the extra cost of the efficient option over the alternative, to a maximum of $100,000 per project ($500,000 for institutional customers). Projects must be pre-approved by Enbridge Gas.
- [Home Renovation Savings Program](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/incentives/home-renovation-savings/): The Home Renovation Savings Program is Ontario's main home energy rebate, run by Save on Energy and Enbridge Gas. Some upgrades, such as heat pumps and solar, earn rebates on their own; others, such as wall insulation and windows, need a home energy assessment and a bundle of two or more upgrades.
- [National Heat Pump Rebate](https://thenextlevelconsulting.ca/incentives/national-heat-pump-rebate/): The National Heat Pump Rebate is a new federal grant of $2,000, or up to $10,000 for low- to median-income households, for installing an eligible electric heat pump. It opens through an online portal in early 2027, needs no energy audit, and covers eligible installations from November 1, 2026.

## Key facts
- Ontario EWRB: buildings of 50,000 sq ft and larger report energy and water use by July 1 each year; buildings of 100,000 sq ft and larger need data verification in the first year and every five years.
- City of Toronto: buildings of 50,000 sq ft and larger report annually; buildings of 10,000 to 49,999 sq ft first report by July 2, 2027.
- Save on Energy project incentives must be approved by December 31, 2027.
- CMHC Eco Plus: 25% mortgage loan insurance premium refund for qualifying energy-efficient new homes; apply within 2 years of closing.
- Peak Energy program: subscription pricing with a guaranteed net-positive return (as published by Peak Energy).