Energy Star for New Homes: Certified Faster, With Less Back-and-Forth
Energy Star certification opens doors to incentive programs and mortgage products â but only if the energy model is done right the first time. AJEC has been certifying Ontario homes since 2012.
What Is Energy Star for New Homes?
Energy Star for New Homes is a federal voluntary program certifying that a home is at least 20% more energy efficient than a code-built reference house. Certified homes qualify for programs including the Canada Greener Homes Grant, lender mortgage incentives, and municipal rebates. The certification requires an energy model, on-site inspections, and a post-construction blower door test.
The model has to be accurate — not just good enough to file. AJEC builds energy models that reflect how your home is actually being built, so the final inspection doesn’t surface surprises. We confirm specs before construction, not after.
What AJEC Delivers
Pre-Construction Energy Model
HOT2000 model built from your architectural drawings and specs — showing exactly what you need to change (or don’t need to change) before a nail goes in.
Spec Review Before Purchase Orders
We check windows, insulation, and mechanical specs against the model before you’re locked in. Catching a spec mismatch early saves thousands in change orders.
Pre-Drywall & Final EnerGuide Inspections
On-site inspections at two stages — pre-drywall and post-construction — to verify the as-built matches the model. We coordinate directly with your site super.
Blower Door Test & Certification Filing
We conduct or coordinate the blower door test and submit all documentation to NRCan for official Energy Star certification. You get the label; we handle the paperwork.
EnerGuide Label
Every certified home receives an official EnerGuide label — a marketing asset that communicates energy performance to buyers in a format they can understand.
Incentive Qualification Support
We identify which federal, provincial, and utility programs your homes qualify for at the Energy Star performance level — and provide the documentation each requires.
Who This Is For
- Production builders who want Energy Star across a subdivision without paying per-house fees each time
- Custom home builders whose clients are asking about energy efficiency ratings or green certification
- Builders whose buyers are applying for Canada Greener Homes or lender green mortgage products
- Developers who want a marketing differentiator and need a credible third-party energy label
- Any builder who has been through a failed or delayed certification and wants a cleaner process
How It Works
Send Us Your Plans & Specs
Share your architectural drawings, window schedules, insulation specs, and HVAC details. We tell you upfront exactly what we need — no chasing documents mid-project.
We Build the HOT2000 Energy Model
We model your home against the Energy Star reference house and identify the most cost-effective path to certification — including which specs need to change and which are already compliant.
Pre-Drywall Inspection
An on-site inspection confirms insulation, air barrier, and mechanical installation match the model. We identify issues while they’re still easy to fix — not after drywall is up.
Blower Door Test & Certification Filing
Post-construction airtightness test confirms your home hits the Energy Star threshold. We file everything with NRCan and deliver the official certificate and EnerGuide label.
Pricing
Production builders pay per model type — one energy model covers every home of that design in your subdivision. Custom home builders pay per home. All fees include the full certification cycle: model, inspections, blower door test, and NRCan filing.
Detached, Semi, Townhouse, Stacked
Complete Energy Star certification package: energy model, two inspections, blower door test, EnerGuide label, and NRCan filing.
- Pre-drywall + final inspection included
- Spec review before construction starts
- Incentive qualification documentation
$500 – $750 per home
Based on home size and complexity
Single-Family Model Types
One energy model per model type covers all units in your subdivision. Build 50 identical homes — pay the model fee once, then per-unit inspection fees only.
- Unlimited units per model type
- Consistent certification process across subdivision
- Enbridge & incentive support included
$300 per model type + $500–$750/unit
Inspection & certification fee per home
Multi-Unit Residential Buildings
Energy Star certification for low-rise and mid-rise MURBs. Modeled per unique suite type with full certification support.
- Suite-type energy models
- Common area & whole-building analysis
- NRCan filing and EnerGuide labels
Contact us for MURB pricing
ℹ Additional blower door tests $350/test | Post-construction revisions $200/hr | Additional consultations $200/hr. Use our pricing calculator →
This Isn’t the Right Fit If…
- You want the Energy Star label but aren’t willing to share full plans, specs, and window schedules — accurate models require real data
- You’re looking for the cheapest number and plan to handle all inspections yourself — certification requires an authorized service organization on-site
- Your project timeline doesn’t allow for the pre-drywall inspection window — contact us early to confirm scheduling
Common Questions
Ready to Certify Your Homes?
Send us your plans and we’ll confirm the Energy Star path for your project — including which incentive programs you qualify for and what the certification timeline looks like.
