Energy Efficiency Services Licensing in Quebec

Residential energy auditors performing EnerGuide evaluations in Quebec must be registered Energy Advisors with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). Registration requires passing two NRCan exams: the Foundation Level Exam and the Energy Advisor (House) Exam, covering building science, construction practices, energy efficiency techniques, and residential mechanical systems. Candidates must be affiliated with an NRCan-licensed Service Organization (SO) and complete supervised probationary evaluations. For Quebec-specific programs such as Rénoclimat, energy advisors must be registered with the program administered by Transition énergétique Québec (TEQ). Commercial building energy auditors may hold the Certified Energy Auditor (CEA) designation from the Association of Energy Engineers.

Ask if they are a registered NRCan Energy Advisor and affiliated with a licensed Service Organization. For Rénoclimat, confirm they are registered with the program.

(1) Not registered with NRCan as an Energy Advisor for EnerGuide evaluations (2) Skips the blower door test, which is a core component of a proper energy evaluation (3) Recommends specific contractors or products for a commission rather than providing independent advice (4) Report lacks specific EnerGuide rating or prioritized recommendations with cost estimates

(1) Are you a registered NRCan Energy Advisor, and which Service Organization are you affiliated with? (2) Does your evaluation include a blower door test and thermal imaging? (3) Will your report qualify me for government rebate programs like Canada Greener Homes? (4) How long after the on-site visit will I receive my evaluation report? (5) Do you provide post-retrofit evaluations to confirm energy improvements?

Yes, energy efficiency services in Quebec are expected to carry liability insurance.

In Quebec, most contractors performing construction work must hold an RBQ (Régie du bâtiment du Québec) licence. You can verify any contractor's licence on the RBQ's online Licence Holders' Registry at rbq.gouv.qc.ca. Always ask for the licence number and verify it before hiring.

Typical rates for energy efficiency services in Quebec range from $100-$200/hour. Home size and complexity, type of assessment (basic audit vs. comprehensive audit with blower door and thermal imaging), whether the assessment is part of a government rebate program (NRCan EnerGuide evaluations have set fee ranges), and whether a follow-up post-retrofit evaluation is needed. The Canada Greener Homes programs reimburse up to $600 for audit fees. Commercial audits cost significantly more than residential due to building complexity.