What is a Home Energy Coach
What is a Home Energy Coach?
Durham Greener Homes offers free home retrofit consultations over phone or video conference to Durham Region homeowners considering or already engaged in completing a home energy retrofit.
Our Coaches offer independent advice and address any questions you may have about the complexities of your home energy renovation. They are not affiliated with any product manufacturer or installation service provider. All Durham Greener Homes Energy Coaches have one or more of the following professional designations.
- Natural Resources Canada Registered Energy Advisor (REA)
- Certified Energy Manager (CEM)
- Professional Engineer (P. Eng.)
Energy Coaches have knowledge and understanding of the NRCan EnerGuide Rating System and EnerGuide Home Evaluations. They have experience with the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of residential energy conservation measures such as lighting and controls, appliances, building envelope, air conditioner and furnace efficiency specifications or experience with the design or installation or operation, and maintenance of low-carbon residential technologies such as: ground source heat pumps, air source heat pumps, advanced insulation techniques, domestic hot water systems, solar photovoltaic, and solar thermal systems.
How a Home Energy Coach can help Durham residents
In addition to knowledge and experience working with residential buildings, systems, and equipment, Energy Coaches are familiar with available incentive programs and retrofit financing opportunities available to Durham Region homeowners and can help successfully navigate through the complex options.
In the initial call (up to 1 hour) the Coach will present the results of a virtual home audit based on your home’s archetype and supplemental data collected by the Coach prior to the call as well as information you may have about your home. The Virtual Audit orientation provides the basis for a productive conversation about the potential for future energy savings from a home energy retrofit.
Additional topic might include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Discuss and facilitate next steps, including how to schedule an EnerGuide home evaluation, or how to qualify for available grants and financing offers.
- Provide information about programs and services available from the Region, their partners (financing and rebates) and others (utility rebates, income-eligible programs, AffordAbility Fund) that can help residents manage their energy use and reduce GHG emissions.
Depending where you are in your retrofit journey, Energy Coach consultations could focus on a range of project management issues, including:
- Reviewing the results of the EnerGuide Upgrade report
- Suggesting an initial prioritized scope of work for a home renovation project
- Providing service provider selection assistance if homeowner requests including but not limited to a link to contractor directories
- Providing support in reviewing service provider quotes
- Facilitating connection to Program financing partners including but not limited to electric utilities and local Credit Unions
- Determining eligibility for incentives including but not limited to incentives from the Region, utility providers, and the federal government.
- Providing assistance with completing rebate applications for other programs to ensure it is done correctly to avoid delays.
After an initial consultation and following the completion of an EnerGuide Home Energy Evaluation you may then schedule at no-cost to you, 3 more phone or video consultations, of up to 45 minutes each (for a total of 4, no-cost consultations).
Talk to a Home Energy Coach
by phone or virtual meeting
Durham Region residents can get free expert and personalized advice from a trained Home Energy Coach