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Energy advisors

Last updated on June 9, 2025

Energy advisors provide energy modelling and airtightness testing services for residential buildings. Learn more about the role of energy advisors and how to find one.

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Energy advisors for residential buildings

Energy advisors are third-party consultants who work on Part 9 residential buildings. They are registered by service organizations licensed by Natural Resources Canada.

They deliver Natural Resource Canada’s programs for:

  • EnerGuide Rating System
  • ENERGY STAR® for New Homes
  • R-2000

Energy advisors provide services needed for energy modelling and airtightness testing. You need these to demonstrate compliance under the BC Energy Step Code for Part 9 residential buildings.

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Energy advisor certification

Energy advisors work within a strict code of ethics and must:

  • Have a strong understanding of building science principles
  • Pass two Natural Resources Canada exams (The Foundation Level and The Energy Advisor)
  • Be registered through a licensed service organization

Learn how to become an energy advisor.

 

Service organizations for energy advisors

A service organization is an independent organization licensed by Natural Resources Canada to use the EnerGuide Rating System. The system is a nationally recognized and standardized home energy performance rating tool.

Service organizations work with builders and homeowners across Canada. They assess the energy performance and potential energy savings for homes during:

  • Design
  • Construction
  • Renovation

Service organizations must adhere to ethics and standards set by Natural Resources Canada and pass additional exams about the work they do.

Energy modellers

Energy modellers perform similar work but are not affiliated with a service organization and the EnerGuide Rating System. They may use other energy simulation software that meets the BC Energy Step Code’s requirements.

All energy advisors are energy modellers, but not all energy modellers are energy advisors.

Part 3 buildings

Modelling and airtightness testing for Part 3 buildings is completed by:

  • Building envelope consultants
  • Other professionals which could include engineers, architects or subcontractors that work under the supervision of an engineer or architect

Find a residential energy advisor or energy modeller

Better Homes BC search tool

Natural Resources Canada

Canadian Association of Consulting Energy Advisors (CACEA)  

Energy advisors don’t have to be in the same community as their projects. They only must be on-site when doing airtightness testing. Energy advisors are able to travel long distances, especially when they have multiple projects in the same area. 

Under EnerGuide policy, more than one licensed energy advisor may work on a single file. When this happens, one energy advisor is accountable for all aspects of the work. This accountable advisor is identified on the HOT2000 file in the EnerGuide Rating System.

How to work with an energy advisor

The BC Energy Step Code requires Part 9 builders to work with an energy advisor or energy modeller to:

  • Review plans
  • Model energy consumption
  • Conduct air tightness testing
  • Verify that the plans and as-built home will meet a given step of the BC Energy Step Code

Builders and homeowners can learn more about the process of working with an energy advisor and find helpful checklists in the guide to working with an energy advisor (PDF, 686 KB).

The guide was created by: 

Energy models

An energy model calculates how much energy a proposed building is expected to use. Modelled energy consumption in a building can relate to: 

  • Space heating
  •  Ventilation 
  • Lighting 
  • Appliance use 
  • Plug loads  

The energy model accounts for the: 

  • Size and geometry of the building 
  • Climate at the building’s location 
  • Effective insulation values of assemblies such as walls, ceilings, windows and doors 
  • Mechanical systems that keep the house comfortable and provide hot water 

Whole building energy modelling services guidelines 

The Architectural Institute of British Columbia and Engineers and Geoscientists BC have joint practice guidelines for architects and engineers who conduct whole building energy modelling services. 

These guidelines include procuring, contributing to and/or coordinating building energy modelling services on new and existing buildings of all types and sizes