Who actually pays for the energy audit?

The commonest reason people put off an energy evaluation is the cost of the evaluation. It is also, in a surprising number of places, the wrong reason, because several programmes pay for the assessment itself rather than only for the work that follows.

Ontario: $600 towards both visits

The Home Renovation Savings Program's assessment path requires a pre-retrofit and a post-retrofit evaluation, and pays $600 towards the pair. For most detached houses that covers them. This is the most straightforward "the measurement is paid for" arrangement in the country.

Manitoba: $400 back on the pre-retrofit visit

Efficiency Manitoba's EnerGuide Home Evaluation Rebate returns $400 on completion of a pre-retrofit evaluation, provided you apply within ninety days and plan at least one upgrade within twelve months. It covers the first visit only.

Ottawa: $600, described as time-limited

The Better Homes Ottawa loan programme includes a $600 credit towards the EnerGuide assessment. The City describes it as available for a limited time, so it is worth not sitting on.

Guelph: you pay, and it is still worth it

Guelph requires both evaluations and the homeowner pays for them. Against a $50,000 zero-interest loan over ten years, that arithmetic is not difficult.

And where it is not subsidised at all

British Columbia's CleanBC programme requires no evaluation and subsidises none. Saskatchewan's main retrofit rebate closed in April 2026. In both provinces an evaluation is something you commission because you want to know, or because you are chasing a mortgage insurance refund — not because a programme is paying for it. We would rather say that than let you find out afterwards.