Home energy audits and home testing in Sherwood Park

What drives bills and comfort here

• Heating dominates: winters are long, and cold snaps regularly reach −30°C to −35°C.
• Winter air is extremely dry, so homes feel parched, yet over-humidifying frosts windows and can wet the attic.
• Natural gas heats 70% to 83% of homes in Alberta and Saskatchewan cities, and 56% in Winnipeg (2023).
• Power prices differ sharply: about 23¢/kWh in Calgary, 18¢ in Regina and 10.5¢ in Winnipeg (April 2025), which shapes heat-pump savings.

Local risks to plan for

• Radon: more than 1 in 6 Edmonton-area homes tested at or above the guideline in 2024.
• Wildfire smoke brought very poor air to the Edmonton area in May 2023.
• Edmonton reached −42.1°C on December 28, 2021; protect pipes in exterior walls.

Tests that matter most here

• Blower door test Measures leakage and, with a thermal scan, pinpoints attic bypasses and rim joist and window leaks. Best timing: Any season; most revealing with a thermal scan on a cold, calm day.
• Infrared (thermal) scan Deep cold makes missing insulation and air leaks stand out clearly. Best timing: November to March, avoiding sunny walls and windy days.
• Attic inspection Frost, damp sheathing or thin insulation in the attic point to warm air leaking up from the house below. Best timing: Mid-winter, after a cold spell.
• Radon test High-radon region, and energy upgrades can change indoor levels. Best timing: At least 91 days in the heating season, on the lowest floor you use.
• Combustion safety test Checks that gas furnaces and water heaters vent safely in a tighter house. Best timing: During the blower door visit, especially after air sealing.

Upgrades that usually pay off here

1. Attic air sealing, then insulation to R-59. Seal attic bypasses first, then insulate to at least today's new-home level for most of the region, about R-59. It cuts heat loss and helps prevent ice dams. Lethbridge's new-home level is a little lower, about R-49.
2. Basement wall and rim joist insulation. A big share of heat loss in a long heating season. Fix water entry first; never insulate a wet basement from the inside.
3. High-efficiency furnace or a hybrid heat pump. Where gas is the main fuel and power costs more, a cold-climate heat pump paired with the gas furnace often makes sense. Winnipeg's low power prices favour using the heat pump more. Ask how the switchover settings are configured for your rates.
4. Balanced ventilation with an HRV or ERV. Once the house is tight, balanced ventilation controls moisture and stale air. An ERV can help keep very dry houses from drying out further.