Deep Energy Retrofit (“DER”)
An advanced application of energy conservation measures to improve overall performance of an existing building.
EnerGuide Rating
Demonstrates a home’s annual energy performance.
Energy Advisor (“EA”)
An individual who evaluates how energy is being used in a home and identifies opportunities to reduce and optimize energy consumption.
Energy Efficiency (“EE”)
Use less energy to provide the same service.
Envelope Upgrades
Includes any retrofits to your home’s physical separation between the conditioned and unconditioned environment, including walls, floors, ceilings, windows, doors, etc.
Net Zero Energy (“NZE”)
A building standard designated to a building that produces as much energy on-site as it consumes annually.
Net Zero Energy Ready (“NZEr”)
A building standard designated to a home that could produce as much energy as it consumes annually, if a renewable energy generating system (such as Solar, Wind and/or Micro-hydro) existed on-site.
Pan-Canadian Framework
National framework developed with provinces and territories and in consultation with Indigenous Peoples, to help meet Canada’s emissions reduction targets, grow the economy, and build resilience to a changing climate.
Property Assessed Clean Energy (“PACE”) Financing
Provides homeowners within a participating municipality with financing at low lending rates for energy efficiency upgrades that pay for themselves within a set number of years. Should the home sell, the remaining payments become the obligation of the new homeowner. Specific municipalities may have different requirements.
Renewable Energy
Energy generated from a natural resource that is not depleted with use.
Retrofit
Addition of a component or accessory to a house after it was first built.
Return on Investment (“ROI”)
The timeframe in which the energy savings from an upgrade will equal the capital cost or cost of financing (if financing is required).
Solar Photovoltaics (“PV”)
Renewable energy technology that converts sunlight (solar radiation) to direct current (DC) electricity using semiconductors.
