BASED IN THE COMOX VALLEY
We provide customized Energuide reports to qualifying homeowners of existing homes to help them understand how to improve their home’s energy efficiency, save money as well as access rebates and incentives.
An EnerGuide home evaluation with an energy advisor provides you with expert advice and a customized retrofit plan so that you can save money on your energy bills, improve your home’s health and comfort, and reduce your home’s environmental impact.
Recommendations from an energy advisor can save you HOURS of planning time and THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS by assisting you to make energy upgrade decisions that are right for your home and budget.
We can help you qualify for Federal and Provincial incentives, interest free loans and mortgage insurance rebates.
HOW WE HELP
IMPROVE HEALTH AND COMFORT
Too hot, too cold, too damp, too draughty? Your home is your sanctuary. We help make sense of these issues and make sure your home is looking after you.
UNLOCK REBATES AND INCENTIVES
Energy Assessments are the key to qualifying for many incentives and rebates. You may qualify for Federal and Provincial incentives, interest free loans and mortgage insurance rebates.
PRIORITIZE TO INCREASE VALUE
Focusing on the right energy efficiency upgrades can increase the value, comfort and appeal of your home.
SAVE MONEY
Utilities are always on the rise. We’ll show you how to decrease expenses and reduce time wasted by helping you navigate your retrofit journey.
RECENT TESTIMONIALS
‘Darrell was a pleasure to work with as I struggled to make my way through the rebate process. He helped with all the paperwork and followed up to make sure I received the rebate in good time.’
Sharon C, Comox, BC
‘We had the pleasure of meeting Darrell shortly after the Government announced the initial solar incentives. His knowledge assisted us greatly manoeuvring through the, specially at that time, complicated process of the grant application.’ Now several years later, we contracted Darrell again for our energy assessment at our new home. His quick and knowledgeable service was again of great assistance. Always willing to provide lots of energy saving tips he runs a great business we would highly recommend to anyone.’
Marinus O, Comox, BC
‘We were lucky not to wait too long for our first audit appointment. Darrell was nice & explained the procedure. At the end he was able to pinpoint the big leaking points (I was renovating my house at that time so it helped me to have the advice) and to give what we could get from the rebate. The counter visit went well too. I had to email a few times and he responded to my requests each time. At the end we were able to get the rebate without any issue! So I recommend Darrell.’
Nicolas B, Campbell River ,BC.
‘Darrell went above and beyond to walk us through the process of getting our home assessment. He explained everything so well, and was available for all our little questions as we went about our process. Highly recommend!’
Vivian V, Courtenay, BC
‘We hired Darrell to conduct the energy assessment for our newly bought home. As first time home buyers/owners everything related to home energy, insulation, air sealing, etc. was new to us. We found the Greener Homes Canada application to be very confusing and hard to understand. Then we met Darrell, he was fun, helpful, polite and efficient. The time he spent in our house was not disruptive at all. He guided us through the work that needed to be done. We wanted to save money so planned on doing the airsealing ourselves. Darrell took the time to walk around the house and instruct us, step by step, how to seal each area that was leaking air. This saved us hundreds of dollars. Darrell was critical in helping us navigate the complex rebate process and was always available to answer questions with prompt responses. In the end, our 1976 drafty house achieved a very high energy rating thanks to Darrell’s work and advice. We predict we will save hundreds of dollars per year. If you are looking for an energy assessment…Call Darrell today!’
Chris S, Courtenay BC
THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING YOUR EnerGuide LABEL
We use labels on FOOD, APPLIANCES, CARS and many other possessions that are important to us…Why wouldn’t we have one for the BIGGEST PURCHASE we ever make? Make sense of your home’s EnerGuide Label. Click on the button below to better understand the EnerGuide Label and to download the ‘Guide to the EnerGuide Label for Homes’.
WHAT’S INVOLVED IN A RESIDENTIAL ASSESSMENT?
Pre Assessment
Before you start any renovations, your advisor will collect data on all aspects of your home, (i.e. windows, doors, space and hot water heating systems, ventilation, and insulation). He will also use a blower door test to measure the air exchange in your home. He will then sit down with you to discuss your concerns and plans.
These steps are taken in order to create an energy model, using the approved NRCAN software and to tailor your renovation upgrade report which includes prioritized, cost-effective upgrade recommendations. This will also produce your initial EnerGuide rating.
Post Assessment
After your renovations are complete, your advisor will return to check and verify the improvements. They will also conduct a new blower door test (99% of homes need to improve air tightness and it’s normally the cheapest action you can take).
We’ll then register you for additional incentives and rebates available to you.
We issue you a new (and improved) EnerGuide rating for your home.
Mid-Construction Blower Door test
You may want to use this service if you are in the process of major renovations (especially if you use the expression, when talking to your friends, “back to the studs”). Or, after your pre assessment blower door test you decide to undertake air sealing before making a decision on your heating and cooling system.
*Note: This service is not a neccesary part of your EnerGuide rating but can serve as a useful part of your renovation plan.
ADDITIONAL RESIDENTIAL SERVICES
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Air Leakage Discovery Test
This service for recently updated or new homes.
Are you feeling drafts, encountering smells that should only be outside or floors or rooms seem cold?
We will set up the blower door and do a room by room investigation for air leakage spots to identify the problem. You will receive a report that includes what we discovered as well as potential solutions.
NEW For 2025 Heat Pump Sizing and Coaching
We are participating in a subsidized national pilot project to test a new service.
This program builds upon the expertise of Registered Energy Advisors across Canada to help ensure homeowners and their heating contractors have the information needed to select the right heat pump for each house. The pilot project will lead to a new standard of service for all Canadian homeowners from Energy Advisors and heating contractors. This is an add-on service to a pre assessment.
Participating in this new program will ensure you are:
- Getting the right-sized heat pump for the heating and cooling needs of your house
- Improving thermal comfort
- Maximizing your energy savings and greenhouse gas reductions
- Avoiding expensive oversized equipment purchases
- Ensuring quiet operation based on duct testing data
- Avoiding expensive, unnecessary electric panel upgrades
REBATE AND INCENTIVE PROGRAMS SUPPORTED
All municipal or regional government rebate programs are also supported depending on availability.
COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL SERVICES
At Focused Energy Assessments, our approach to commercial and industrial buildings is one of efficiency, comfort and health combined. We appreciate that buildings need to be robust and adaptable to change while looking after their occupants…and that small details count!
With the experience of over 1,500 energy assessments, we have created a customizable assessment process that helps you make the next steps in energy efficiency with confidence. We use ASHRAE standards and RetScreen Software for a consistent approach, this way we can provide you with the decision-making data and tools you need.
Consider our services if your company has:
- High utility bills
- Poor building performance
- Mature or failing equipment
- Lighting issues
- Building health and comfort issues
- Planning envelope upgrades
WHERE SHOULD YOU START?
Click on the drop down menu for a detailed description of each commercial service.
Billing Analysis & Feasibility Studies
For many, bills contain a cost and the rest is technical jargon. A basic bill analysis will help you understand what you are being charged, and will provide an overview of the available data to identify trends and potential ways to reduce your costs. Billing analysis can be a remote or onsite assessment.
Whether you are looking at changing out one piece of equipment or lighting in an entire building we can show you the numbers. We will also consult from an independent standpoint on if it is the right solution financially and operationally for you and your staff.
Ashrae assessments come in various levels and can be combined to create a Deep Retrofit Feasibility study that is specific to you needs.
ASHRAE LEVEL 1 Assessment
This energy assessment provides an onsite walk-through analysis. Ashrae Level 1 assessments include: A sit down conversation with all decision-making personnel, onsite utility bill review, facility walkthrough to identify the low hanging fruit, potential capital projects, benchmarked energy use and potential rebates available.
The data compiled is then used for preliminary energy use analysis and a report detailing low-cost/no-cost measures and potential capital improvements for further study. Typically, a Level 1 audit will only uncover major problem areas. Corrective measures are briefly described, and quick estimates of implementation costs, potential operating cost savings, and simple payback periods are provided. This level of detail, while not sufficient for reaching a final decision on implementing proposed measures, is adequate to prioritize energy efficiency projects and to assess the need for a more detailed audit.
ASHRAE LEVEL 2 Assessment
A Level 2 audit is a more detailed extension of ASHRAE Level 1. Services include utility bill trend review, 24-36 months theoretical savings based on best case scenarios, O&M review analysis with more detailed energy calculations and financial analysis of proposed energy efficiency measures, the financial analysis or ‘Life Cycle Cost Analysis’ provides the facility owner with comprehensive understanding of the financial benefits of implementing specific energy efficiency measures.
ASHRAE LEVEL 3 Assessment
An ASHRAE Level 3 Energy Audit, also known as an Investment-Grade Audit, offers the most comprehensive analysis of a building’s energy performance. Building upon the findings of Level 1 and Level 2 audits, this rigorous assessment involves detailed field data collection, advanced energy modeling, and thorough engineering analysis. The process often includes sub-metering of major energy systems to capture precise consumption patterns, allowing for accurate identification of inefficiencies. By obtaining preliminary quotes from vendors and installers, the audit provides highly accurate cost and savings estimates, enabling stakeholders to make well-informed investment decisions.  At Focused Energy, we conduct ASHRAE Level 3 audits to deliver precise, data-driven insights that support strategic energy management and long-term sustainability goals.
All commercial service options have tailored deliverables that are right for you. Please contact us for a quote.
COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL TESTIMONIALS
”Working with Darrell was a pleasure. In my role with SD10 I have many different sites to manage and to have an independent eye look over the billing data and do some site walk throughs, truly helped me prioritize actions and focus our efforts.”
~ Art Olson, Manager of Operations, School District 10
“We run a pretty tight ship at Valley Cedar and have made improvements to the plant overtime to increase efficiency. Just by looking at our bills and then doing a little detective work, Darrell found something we’d missed. It was a minor adjustment on our part but saved us thousands of dollars if it had gone unnoticed for a further 6 months…well worth the time of a basic assessment.“
~ Patricia McMahon. GM, Valley Cedar 2ulc