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Become an Energy Advisor with Greener Homes

As we continue to rapidly grow across BC and into Alberta, we’re always looking for motivated people to join our team. We offer exceptional pay, great benefits and the best training and mentoring programs in the industry. As a partner of Ridge Energy, you’ll be part of a vast network of professionals working across the country.

Even if we’re not posting a specific listing, reach out to us anyways, we wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity of meeting you.

Current Employment Opportunities:

Certified EnerGuide Energy Advisers or Advisers-in-Training.

What does an Energy Advisor do?

An Energy Advisor is trained to follow the NRCan protocol of performing an Energy Evaluation in residential homes up to three storeys high and built under the Part 9 building code.

An Energy Evaluation is a measurement of the efficiency of a home, including any renewable energy items. This involves measuring and taking photos of the house, checking how much insulation is in the attic and walls, as well as how efficient the heating/cooling system is.

The house is also checked for its air tightness. The Energy Advisor uses a Blower Door to depressurize the air in the house and measure the air changes per hour at specific pressures. This test also allows the Advisor to show the homeowner where all the main drafts are located.

After the initial Energy Evaluation, the homeowner receives two reports and an EnerGuide label. The report will show the homeowner the recommendations made by the Advisor as to which items the homeowner could consider upgrading. Where there are incentive programs available, the homeowner will perform some upgrades and the Energy Advisor returns to verify the changes and present the homeowner with a new report and EnerGuide label.

The Energy Advisor acts as an independent self-employed contractor and many Advisors have other work such as Home Inspections, Design work, HVAC, etc.

How to become an Energy Advisor in Canada

The job as an Energy Advisor is very rewarding and you are expected to understand many fundamentals including residential building code, customer service, computer software and business management. Don’t expect to pass a couple of exams, attend some practical training and be able to successfully become an Energy Advisor. We offer college graduates an in-house salaried training program that takes 3-6 months to complete. At the end of this in-house training, you will understand how to speak to a homeowner, how to articulate all of the current incentive programs, how to model HOT2000 software, how to perform an energy assessment using the NRCan protocols, how to upload to our cloud and prepare and pass both the Foundation and Energy Advisor exam. You will also understand the inner working of the Service Organization including quality assurance, government filing, accounting, technical support and general daily routines – this is very helpful when you are in the field as an Energy Advisor.

Here are some downloads to get you started:

NRCan ERS Pillar Documents – you will need these to study for the exams: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/126kQxNKkoE1yMpl2S8R4_z1ZM7vctyAa

Latest Candidate Handbook: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1c5ySXCGjFRbXahkzD1UEylbNon9FfVV9

NRCan Competency Profiles – these provide you with sample exam questions and where to look up the answer in the Pillar Docs. Download these documents: Energy Advisor Exam, EA Study Guide, Foundation Level Exam useful resource material/competency profile and exam study aid – https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1c5ySXCGjFRbXahkzD1UEylbNon9FfVV9

Go to NRCan website and register for HOT2000 download: http://198.103.48.154/hot2000/en/register.php

NRCan also has a good website for becoming an Energy Advisor: https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy-efficiency/energy-efficiency-homes/professional-opportunities/how-become-nrcan-registered-energy-advisor/20566#fler

Go here to look for test centres: https://nrcan.ysasecure.com/exam-centres

Foundation and EA exam online trainers:

Canadian Institute for Energy Training

Blue House Energy

List of all NRCan links:

Members Only Resource Centre (Guide to the label can be found here): https://www2.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca/oee/nh-mn/rc-cd/index.cfm?fuseaction=s.slf&lang=eng

HOT2000 software downloads: https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy-efficiency/energy-efficiency-homes/professional-opportunities/tools-industry-professionals/20596

Keep in mind, that potential EAs need to be given access by NRCan in order to download the training or EA versions of the software. Register here: http://198.103.48.154/hot2000/en/register.php

Publications: https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/maps-tools-and-publications/publications/energy-publications/energy-efficiency-publications/17756

Keeping the Heat In (currently being updated): https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy-efficiency/homes/make-your-home-more-energy-efficient/keeping-the-heat/15768

Combustion gases in your home: https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy-efficiency/energy-efficiency-homes/combustion-gases-your-home-things-you-should-know-about-combustion-spillage/18639

Competency Profiles: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1c5ySXCGjFRbXahkzD1UEylbNon9FfVV9

ERS Pillar documents: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/126kQxNKkoE1yMpl2S8R4_z1ZM7vctyAa

ESNH Pillar documents: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_3_6njrTXpmV7oi5-Wvqr2-YDDEIXegu

Status Testing Centres: https://nrcan.ysasecure.com/exam-centres

Exam Resources:

Keeping the Heat In Publication
NRCan Energy Efficient homes
Combustion Gases in Your Home – Things You Should Know About Combustion Spillage
Energy-efficient products publications
Heating equipment for residential use
Heating and Cooling with a Heat Pump
Water Heaters
Air Conditioning Your Home
Heat/Energy recovery ventilators
Key features and List of all helpful tips for windows, doors and skylights
Low-Solar and High-Solar Glazing
Solar Ready Guidelines

Other Resources:

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Library
Canadian Wood Frame House Construction
Addressing moisture and mould in your home
Formaldehyde
Radon
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
The Canadian Home Builders’ Association Builders’ Manual
HRAI Technical Manuals