Ontario · Energy · area guide · checked October 8, 2026

Home energy audits in Wellington County

24 NRCan-registered service organizations list postal codes in Fergus, and 61% of the 31,695 houses in Wellington County were built before 1991. Here's what an EnerGuide evaluation costs, what it tends to find in local houses, and which Ontario rebates it unlocks, from Fergus, Elora, Mount Forest and Erin to the smallest hamlet.

An energy advisor’s kit on a front-hall bench: infrared camera, pressure gauge with tubing, tape measure, headlamp and a floor sketch

Registered organizations

24

for Fergus

Typical cost

About $500–$700

Heating degree-days

4,307

Fergus Shand Dam

Houses built before 1991

61%

2021 Census

How Wellington County is built

Wellington County's houses by when they were built Ten house shapes, one for each tenth of Wellington County's 31,695 houses. Before 1961: 25%, 1961–1990: 36%, 1991–2000: 13%, 2001 or later: 25%. Older houses glow hotter.
  • Before 1961 25%
  • 1961–1990 36%
  • 1991–2000 13%
  • 2001 or later 25%
Each house stands for one in ten of Wellington County's 31,695 houses (single-detached, semi-detached, row, duplex and mobile homes), drawn by when it was built. The glow shows the usual pattern: older houses tend to be leakier and less insulated. Snowfall scales with heating degree-days. Sources: Statistics Canada 2021 Census (table 98-10-0233-01), Environment and Climate Change Canada 1981–2010 climate normals (Fergus Shand Dam) and the National Building Code 2020 January design temperature for Fergus.

This page covers the seven towns and townships of the County of Wellington. Guelph is a separate city with its own pages.

What an evaluation finds in Wellington County

Of the 31,695 houses in Wellington County (single-detached, semi-detached, row houses, duplexes and mobile homes), 25% were built before 1961 and 61% before 1991, according to the 2021 Census. The typical house here dates from 1981–1990. An EnerGuide evaluation is how you find out what that means for yours: the blower door measures air leakage, the advisor inspects the attic, walls, basement, windows and heating system, and the report ranks upgrades by what they'd save.

Environment and Climate Change Canada's 1981–2010 climate normal at Fergus Shand Dam (13.2 km from the middle of the area) is 4,307 heating degree-days a year, with a January mean of −7.4°C. The more heating a climate needs, the more each fix is worth, which is why the ranked list in the report matters.

Province-wide, 58% of Ontario households heat mainly with natural gas, 18% with electricity, 4% with propane and 1% each with oil and wood (Statistics Canada, 2023); there's no published breakdown for this area alone. The heating system on the report shapes the recommendations: a furnace with ducts invites a ducted heat pump, electric baseboards a ductless one.

What it costs in Wellington County

Typical Ontario prices are about $500–$700 for the initial EnerGuide evaluation and $200–$450 for the follow-up, plus HST where it applies. Windfall Ecology Centre charges $500 + HST for the initial evaluation and $250 + HST for the follow-up, Reep Green Solutions charges $540 and $406 with no HST, and City-backed programs in Ottawa and London quote $500–$700 as typical for the first visit. Only assessments from the seven HRSP-approved organizations qualify for the $600 Home Renovation Savings rebate, and none of the seven publishes a price.

Six of the seven organizations approved for Home Renovation Savings assessments are among them, and only those seven qualify for its $600 rebate. Check the HRSP-approved tag in the list below.

Most providers quote the initial (pre-upgrade) and follow-up (post-upgrade) visits separately, and organizations based in a city may add a travel fee for rural addresses. Rebate programs that pay on measured improvement need both visits, so ask for the combined price, travel included.

How a home energy assessment works

  • Initial evaluation, about 2–3 hours. The advisor measures and inspects the house and runs the blower door test.
  • Report and EnerGuide rating. You get the home's energy rating and a list of recommended upgrades with estimated savings.
  • Do the work. Most rebate programs only count upgrades done after the initial evaluation.
  • Follow-up evaluation. A second visit measures the improvement, which is what most rebates pay on.

Read more: What a home energy audit involves.

Communities we cover in Wellington County

Every town, village and hamlet below is part of this page, grouped by municipality (2021 Census population).

  • Township of Centre Wellington 31,093Belwood, Elora, Fergus
  • Township of Guelph/Eramosa 13,904Ariss, Rockwood
  • Township of Wellington North 12,431Arthur, Mount Forest
  • Town of Erin 11,981Ballinafad, Hillsburgh
  • Township of Mapleton 10,839Drayton
  • Town of Minto 9,094Harriston, Palmerston
  • Township of Puslinch 7,944Arkell, Morriston

Covered on city pages: Guelph.

NRCan-registered service organizations serving Wellington County

NRCan's list of service organizations (checked October 8, 2026) shows 24 organizations registered for postal codes in Fergus (N1M). Registration means an organization lists those postal areas, not that it has an advisor in town: confirm they travel to your community, and ask about wait times and travel fees.

Only assessments from the seven HRSP-approved organizations qualify for the $600 Home Renovation Savings rebate and its assessment-path upgrade rebates; each listing below says whether it's one of them.

Source: NRCan list of service organizations, checked October 8, 2026, matched by forward sortation area (N1M). Call to confirm your road is covered.

Rebates an evaluation unlocks in Wellington County

Home energy audits in Wellington County: common questions

How much does a home energy audit cost in Wellington County?

Typical Ontario prices are about $500–$700 for the initial EnerGuide evaluation and $200–$450 for the follow-up, plus HST where it applies. Windfall Ecology Centre charges $500 + HST for the initial evaluation and $250 + HST for the follow-up, Reep Green Solutions charges $540 and $406 with no HST, and City-backed programs in Ottawa and London quote $500–$700 as typical for the first visit. Only assessments from the seven HRSP-approved organizations qualify for the $600 Home Renovation Savings rebate, and none of the seven publishes a price. Ask whether a travel fee applies to your address.

Which companies do EnerGuide evaluations in Fergus?

NRCan's list (checked October 8, 2026) shows 24 organizations registered for postal codes in Fergus; 24 of them list all 1. Confirm they travel to your community before you book.

How long does an EnerGuide evaluation take?

The initial visit usually takes two to three hours, including the blower door test. The follow-up visit after upgrades is shorter.

Is a home energy audit worth it for an older house in Wellington County?

61% of local houses were built before 1991 (2021 Census), and the area averages about 4,307 heating degree-days a year. Older houses in a cold climate are where a ranked upgrade list pays off most, and most rebates need the evaluation first.

Which rebates need an EnerGuide evaluation in Ontario?

Currently: Home Renovation Savings — Home Energy Assessment path (Up to $10,000 per home ($5,000 if heated with Enbridge gas), including $600 back on your two assessments, for insulation, windows, air sealing and more — if the follow-up assessment is done by December 31, 2026). Check the program page for current terms before you book.

Get matched with a registered advisor in Wellington County

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