How Charlottetown is built
- Before 1961 20%
- 1961–1990 46%
- 1991–2000 12%
- 2001 or later 22%
What an evaluation finds in Charlottetown homes
Of Charlottetown's 10,405 houses (single-detached, semi-detached, row houses and duplexes), 20% were built before 1961 and 66% before 1991, according to the 2021 Census. The typical Charlottetown house dates from 1971–1980, and an 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.
Charlottetown gets about 4,404 heating degree-days a year, a measure of how much heating its climate needs, and its winter design temperature, the cold day heating systems are sized for, is −19.3°C. Those figures come from the climate data for Charlottetown in HOT2000, the home-energy software Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) gives energy advisors. That's about 12% more heating demand than the middle of the 70 cities we cover. A long heating season: air sealing and insulation pay back well, and every leak costs money for months.
Charlottetown also gets hot spells and heat waves, so plan how the house will stay cool: air sealing, attic insulation and shading help, and a heat pump adds efficient cooling.
In Prince Edward Island, 36% of households heat mainly with a heat pump, 16% with a boiler and radiators, 14% with a forced-air furnace and 10% with electric baseboards; oil is the main heating energy for 28% of households, electricity for 18% and wood for 8% (Statistics Canada, 2023). The heating system on the report shapes the recommendations: a forced-air furnace invites a ducted heat pump, electric baseboards a ductless one.
What it costs in Charlottetown
efficiencyPEI's subsidized home energy assessment costs $99 + HST, booked directly with one of its efficiency partners.
How a home energy assessment (EnerGuide evaluation) 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 in gigajoules per year 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.
Atlantic Canada Maritimes and Newfoundland
Charlottetown’s climate: Atlantic Canada
Damp, windy, icy winters and costly oil: switch to heat pumps, seal, test for radon.
Atlantic winters are wet, windy and icy rather than extremely cold, and summers are mild. Heating oil is still common and its price rose sharply in 2026, while heat pumps already heat many homes. An EnerGuide evaluation here should plan the move off oil, seal wind-driven leaks, fix moisture before insulating, and include a radon test.
In Charlottetown: Charlottetown gets about 15 days a year of freezing rain and heavy, wet snow, so seal the attic against ice dams and keep backup heat for outages. Heat pumps are now PEI's leading heating system, but about 28% of homes still use oil.
Plan your move off oil
Oil prices rose 65% to 81% in a year, and corrosion is a leading cause of oil tank leaks. Cold-climate heat pumps can be up to three times as efficient as oil heating.
Seal wind-driven leaks and the attic
Wind pushes cold air through gaps, and heavy, wet snow with frequent freezing rain makes a leaky attic prone to ice dams.
Fix moisture before you insulate
Halifax, St. John's, Saint John and Charlottetown get enough wind-driven rain that new walls must have a rainscreen. Stop water getting into walls and basements before adding insulation.
When to book: Book the evaluation from December to March, on a calm day, for the best blower door and thermal scan results. Have oil equipment checked before winter, and start a 3-month radon test in fall.
Everything homes in Charlottetown need →
Sources for this climate guide · checked October 26, 2026
- National Building Code of Canada 2020, climate data (NRC)
- Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020 (ECCC)
- Keeping the Heat In (NRCan)
- Heat pumps, Canada Greener Homes (NRCan)
- Heat pump basics (NRCan)
- Heating and Cooling With a Heat Pump (NRCan)
- Primary heating systems by household, Table 38-10-0286-01 (Statistics Canada)
- Household heating oil prices, Table 18-10-0001-01 (Statistics Canada)
- Electricity price comparison, April 2025 (Hydro-Québec)
- Prevent oil tank spills (Government of Nova Scotia)
- Canada's top weather stories of 2019 (ECCC)
- Canada's top weather stories of 2022 (ECCC)
- Canada's top weather stories of 2023 (ECCC)
- 2024 Cross-Canada Survey of Radon Exposure
- Guide for Radon Measurements in Homes (Health Canada)
- Conditions for thermal scans, ASTM C1060 summary (Cx Associates)
NRCan-licensed service organizations serving Charlottetown
A service organization is a company that Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) licenses to deliver EnerGuide evaluations; its registered energy advisors do the home visit. Every organization below is licensed by NRCan to deliver EnerGuide evaluations and lists Charlottetown postal codes. Coverage is the share of Charlottetown's urban postal areas each one lists.
- Clean Foundation
- Homesol Building Solutions
- RU-Green Energy Solutions
- Sensible Home Inspections
- Trinity Inspection Services
Rebates and financing an evaluation unlocks in Charlottetown
Home energy audit in Charlottetown: common questions
How much does a home energy audit cost in Charlottetown?
efficiencyPEI's subsidized home energy assessment costs $99 + HST, booked directly with one of its efficiency partners.
How many companies do EnerGuide evaluations in Charlottetown?
NRCan's list of service organizations shows 5 licensed organizations with Charlottetown postal codes (checked September 25, 2026).
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.
Does an energy audit help with summer heat in Charlottetown?
Yes. The advisor's upgrade list covers air sealing, attic insulation and windows, which slow summer heat gain as well as winter heat loss, and the evaluation's measurements are the starting point for sizing a heat pump that also cools.
Which rebates need an EnerGuide evaluation in Prince Edward Island?
Currently: efficiencyPEI home programs (A $99 + HST home energy assessment unlocks insulation, window, door and air-sealing rebates; heat pump rebates ended April 15, 2026). Check the program page for current terms before you book.