Who are EAs

About Energy Advisors

Energy Advisors (EAs) are specially trained professionals registered with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to assess the energy performance of homes across Canada.

They play a vital role in helping homeowners, builders, and renovators make informed decisions about energy upgrades and building performance. Using standardized procedures under the Government of Canada’s EnerGuide Rating System, EAs conduct in-depth assessments to measure how much energy a home consumes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency.

The real value of working with an EA goes beyond these basic services. Leveraging their expertise throughout your project unlocks more strategic, resilient, and cost-effective solutions. Using a diverse set of skills and competencies, EAs can take your new or existing home project beyond a label, helping you build or maintain a home that is resilient, comfortable, durable, efficient and healthy.

EA Diverse Skill Set

Bylaws, Standards,  Codes, Regulations

Energy, Resiliency, Efficiency

IT, Geometry, Math, Modelling

Relationships, Communication

Cost Savings, Incentives

Building Science- Whole House

Building Practices, Materials

Forensics, Analysis, Reports

EAs core services

Foundational Services Provided by EAs

  • EnerGuide labeling, which includes:
  • Inspecting homes to collect data on insulation, windows, HVAC systems, and more
  • Conducting blower door tests to measure air leakage
  • Modeling performance using HOT2000 software
  • Offering recommendations on how to reduce energy use, lower utility bills, and increase comfort
  • Applying building science principles and a “house-as-a-system” approach, where all parts of a building work together as a whole.
  • Providing EnerGuide labels (What does the EnerGuide label mean? – Natural Resources Canada)
  • Code compliance verification
  • Documentation and reporting (e.g., Renovation Upgrade Reports – RUR)

EAs are at the hub of the low-rise, Part 9 residential housing and engage with a wide range of stakeholders. EAs can focus their work on new homes, existing homes, or both:

Find an Energy Advisor

Work with an Energy Advisor for New Homes or Major Renovations

Engage an EA early—ideally at the pre-design stage or during construction. EAs facilitate collaboration among architects, designers, tradespeople, contractors, and other professionals. Their guidance helps explore and evaluate different energy efficiency strategies and compliance pathways.

Work with an Energy Advisor for Existing Homes

An EA can review your Renovation Upgrade Report (RUR) to identify areas for improvement and recommend additional opportunities for energy upgrades. This creates a clear roadmap toward a healthier, more efficient, and sustainable home.

Going to work with an EA? Working with an EA document provides you with useful guidelines.

Understanding Different Roles & Responsibilities

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
  • Licenses EAs & SOs.
  • Provides home labelling for new and existing homes.
  • Has established protocols—setting common standards and benchmarks to evaluate Part 9 energy efficiency.
  • Provides home labelling through the EnerGuide Rating System (ERS) and ENERGY STAR® for New Homes (ESNH).
  • ERS is a nationally recognized system that uses a standardized home energy performance rating tool, serving as the foundation for other programs and compliance requirements.
Learn More
Service Organization (SO)
  • An independent organization licensed by NRCan to use its official marks and software (HOT2000), and deliver NRCan’s home labelling initiatives.
  • Must adhere to a code of ethics and standards, and pass additional SO-specific exams.
  • Must requalify every three years.
  • Supports affiliated EAs, provides field supervision, ensures quality control, and submits energy models to NRCan.
  • Only SO submitted files can receive an EnerGuide Rating System label generated for a particular building.
  • May focus on existing homes, new homes, or both.
  • Does not have to be located in the same region as the EA.
Learn More
Energy Advisor (EA)
  • Licensed by NRCan to use their official marks and software (HOT2000), and deliver NRCan’s home labelling initiatives.
  • An EA’s registration number is linked to an SO; some EAs work with more than one SO and have multiple EA numbers.
  • Must adhere to a code of ethics and standards, and pass EA-specific exams.
  • Must requalify every three years.
  • Submits files through an SO.
  • Can work in new or existing homes following the EnerGuide Rating System process; some focus on existing or new homes only, others on both.
  • Additional qualifications are required for other programs (e.g., ENERGY STAR® for New Homes (ESNH), MURBs, etc.).
  • Different types of business relationships may exist between EAs and SOs.
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Common Business Relationships

EAs and SOs may work together under a variety of business structures. These relationships can vary based on business models, geographic reach, and individual or corporate arrangements.
1. Independent Energy Advisor or EA Company

An EA may work as a sole proprietor or through a company they own. In this model:

  • The EA contracts with one or more licensed SOs
  • The EA manages their own business operations(e.g., insurance, invoicing, and equipment)
2. EA Contractor

Some EAs work as contractors to an SO or EA company. In this case:

  • The EA typically needs to have their own equipment, tools, and access to HOT2000. The contractor may provide administrative support and client leads
  • Compensation is typically project- or file-based
3. Multiple Service Organization Affiliations

EAs are allowed to be affiliated with more than one licensed SO. This allows:

  • Greater flexibility in choosing projects, programs, or geographic areas
  • Participation in a wider range of retrofit or new construction programs
4. Cross-Provincial Relationships

There are no requirements for the SO to be located in the same province as the EA. This supports:

  • Remote or regional work
  • National program delivery and consistency
5. Expanded Program Services

Both EAs and SOs may offer additional services beyond EnerGuide assessments, such as:

  • ENERGY STAR® for New Homes
  • CHBA Net Zero
  • Building code compliance consulting
  • HVAC sizing and design (where qualified)

These services may require additional credentials, licensing agreements, or training, depending on the program and jurisdiction.

We’re Here to Help

Interested in becoming an EA?

Becoming an Energy Advisor (EA) in Canada involves meeting specific training, testing, and registration requirements

Learn more
Choosing the right Service Organization

Choosing the right Service Organization (SO) is a key in shaping your career as an Energy Advisor (EA).

How to find an SO
Want to become a member?

CACEA is committed to advancing the profession and supporting the success of our members.

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