CRESNET - CANADIAN RESIDENTIAL ENERGY SERVICES NETWORK INC.

What CRESNET - CANADIAN RESIDENTIAL ENERGY SERVICES NETWORK INC. does

CRESNET (Canadian Residential Energy Services Network Inc.) is a Canadian national non-profit corporation, incorporated in March 2007 under the Canada Corporations Act, that operates as the country's sole provider of the HERS (Home Energy Rating System) Index Rating. Through a Memorandum of Understanding with RESNET (United States) signed in July 2007 and extended multiple times since, CRESNET has adapted U.S. residential energy rating standards to the Canadian context — including the development of a Canadian Reference Home benchmark — and secured recognition of its HERS ratings and accredited software (REM/Rate) as a performance-based compliance pathway under the Ontario Building Code and National Building Code. The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, with executive operations led by Executive Director Tara Streatch alongside Technical Director and co-founder John Godden.

CRESNET's core products are the Canadian HERS Rating (energy performance scoring on a 0–100 scale), the HERS H2O Rating (whole-house water efficiency, launched January 2024), and the upcoming HERS Carbon Index (a first-of-its-kind North American standard for embodied carbon measurement). The technical backbone is the REM/Rate energy modeling software (provided by NORESCO and sub-licensed through Project Future Proof), which CRESNET members use to generate code-compliance reports. CRESNET also runs a three-course accreditation program — Building Code Energy Modeller (BCEM), Air Tightness Tester, and Field Inspector — that culminates in the HERS Energy Rater designation, with the BCEM course priced at $1,250 plus HST.

The organization generates revenue through two primary streams: annual membership fees (Full Members at $250/year, Associate Members at $125/year, with complimentary Information and Student categories) and training course fees. Services are delivered through a network of accredited members across Canada rather than directly to end customers; builders and homeowners contract accredited raters, while CRESNET functions as the standards, accreditation, and quality assurance body. Headcount was not disclosed, and the organization is explicitly non-profit with no funding rounds, investors, or acquisitions on record.

Name

CRESNET - CANADIAN RESIDENTIAL ENERGY SERVICES NETWORK INC.

Legal name

CRESNET - CANADIAN RESIDENTIAL ENERGY SERVICES NETWORK INC.

Website

https://cresnet.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Short description

CRESNET is a Canadian non-profit that operates as the sole provider of HERS residential energy and water efficiency ratings, accreditation, and training in Canada, serving energy raters, builders, homeowners, and code officials through a national network of accredited members.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Residential Energy Rating and Accreditation Services

NAICS

Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)

akta.pro primary industry

Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) & Clean Energy Standards Compliance (EUAMANAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Emissions Controls & Environmental Retrofit Services (SCR/FGD/ESP, CEMS) (EUAEALAL)

Keywords

• Residential energy rating
• HERS accreditation
• Energy modeling training
• Building code compliance
• Energy efficiency certification

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: CRESNET generates revenue through membership fees with three categories: Full Members (principal representatives of companies active in the industry) at $250/year, Associate Members (employees of full members) at $125/year, and Information Members at no charge. Student memberships are complimentary for post-secondary students interested in energy rating.
2. Training Course Fees: Revenue from accreditation training courses including the Building Code Energy Modeller (BCEM) course at $1,250 + HST which includes CRESNET Associate Membership ($125 value). Additional courses include Air Tightness Tester and Field Inspector accreditations with mentorship requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

CRESNET operates as Canada's exclusive HERS (Home Energy Rating System) accreditation body under an MOU with RESNET, providing professional accreditation training courses (BCEM, Air Tightness Tester, Field Inspector) that lead to HERS Energy Rater designation. The organization maintains residential energy and water efficiency rating standards using REM/Rate modeling software and supports a national network of accredited raters who deliver HERS Index ratings, HERS H2O water ratings, and the HERS Carbon Index for code compliance under the Ontario and National Building Codes.

Product overview

CRESNET is a Canadian national non-profit corporation that provides energy rating services and professional accreditation for the residential construction industry. The organization's core offering is the Canadian HERS (Home Energy Rating System) Rating service, which uses REM/Rate energy modeling software to evaluate building energy performance. CRESNET offers three accreditation courses (Building Code Energy Modeller, Air Tightness Tester, and Field Inspector) that lead to HERS Energy Rater designation. The portfolio also includes HERS H2O Rating for water efficiency and an upcoming HERS Carbon Index for embodied carbon assessment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Canadian HERS Rating Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rating service supported by REM/Rate energy modeling software, providing builders and homeowners with a performance-based pathway to meet energy efficiency requirements as an alternative to prescriptive building code requirements.
• HERS H2O Rating Whole-house water efficiency rating system evaluating both indoor and outdoor water use on a 0–100+ scale; homes scoring 70 or less qualify for the WaterSense Label.
• HERS Carbon Index First North American standard for embodied carbon measurement and reporting in residential buildings using accredited HERS software, designed for Energy Raters and Building Code Energy Modelers with consistent methodology and defaults.
• Building Code Energy Modeller (BCEM) Training Course Accreditation course covering REM/Rate software proficiency, energy modeling concepts, building materials and mechanical systems, and documentation requirements for Ontario Building Code and National Building Code compliance. Delivered in 6–8 virtual Zoom sessions or as a 2.5-day intensive; $1,250 + HST, includes a CRESNET Associate Membership ($125 value); completion requires a challenge quiz.
• Air Tightness Tester (ATT) Course One-day accreditation course covering on-site air tightness testing processes using specialized equipment, including a mentorship requirement of testing 3 homes to demonstrate competency.
• Field Inspector Course One-day accreditation course teaching how to input air tightness test data and inspection findings into REM/Rate files to generate confirmed HERS ratings, including a mentorship requirement of 3 homes.
• HERS Energy Rater Accreditation Combined designation awarded after successful completion of the Building Code Energy Modeller, Air Tightness Tester, and Field Inspector courses, enabling professionals to conduct complete HERS ratings including inspections and air testing.
• CRESNET Membership Annual membership program with four categories: Full Members ($250/year, principal industry representatives with voting rights and board eligibility), Associate Members ($125/year, employees of Full Members with voting rights), Information Members (no charge, no voting), and Student Members (complimentary for post-secondary students in energy rating disciplines).

Quantifiable outcome

• 190 houses with HERS H2O Rating Certificates (Jan 2024 - Dec 2025), demonstrating 15% better than benchmark
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HVAC Designers of Canada (HVACDC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025HVAC-DC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with CRESNET in 2025 establishing formal collaboration. The partnership focuses on advancing cooperation in HVAC design, Building Code Energy Modelling, and energy efficiency initiatives. HVAC-DC represents Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning designers throughout Canada focusing on advocacy, industry representation, and support services.
• Cross Border Challenge PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014The first Cross Border Challenge was conducted in 2014 as a partnership between RESNET and CRESNET. This initiative engaged builders to label homes and increase the performance of their homes, resulting in over 15,000 homes labeled.
• Project Future ProofcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Project Future Proof was granted the first HERS Providership in Canada on behalf of CRESNET by RESNET in 2013. Project Future Proof pays NORESCO an annual fee to purchase a master REM/Rate software licence, and CRESNET members sign sub-licensing agreements to use the software. Project Future Proof also provides annual audits for BCEMs to maintain accreditation.
• RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2007CRESNET signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with RESNET in July 2007 to access their full set of standards of practice and technical specifications for rating the energy performance of residential buildings for Canada. CRESNET became an international affiliate of RESNET with common rater certification, quality assurance, code of ethics, and standards of practice. This MOU has been extended several times since 2007.
• ClearsphereminorOthersClearsphere is a supporting partner of CRESNET. John Godden, CRESNET Technical Director, is the president of Clearsphere. The company provides residential energy efficiency consulting, home evaluation, home testing, and hands-on training.
• Building Knowledge CanadaminorOthersBuilding Knowledge Canada Inc. is a supporting partner dedicated to helping the home building industry improve the performance and comfort of new homes through the practical application of building science. Gord Cooke, CRESNET Board Member, is President of Building Knowledge Canada.
• RenewABILITY Energy Inc.minorOthersRenewABILITY Energy Inc. is a supporting partner and global leader in cost-effective energy-saving solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial clients. Gerald Van Decker, CRESNET Board Member, is founder and CEO of RenewABILITY.
• Sustainable Housing FoundationminorOthersSustainable Housing Foundation (SHF) is a Canadian non-profit supporting partner that views sustainability as a common sense approach to managing resources over time. John Godden, CRESNET Technical Director, is founder of SHF.
• Paul Duffy & AssociatesminorOthersPaul Duffy & Associates is a supporting partner specializing in building science engineering and experts in building product approvals, code compliance, and technical marketing support. Paul Duffy is a Founding Board Member of CRESNET.
• Better Builder MagazineminorOthersBetter Builder Magazine is a supporting partner that brings together premium product manufacturers and leading builders to create better differentiated homes and buildings that use less energy.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Built Green Canada: Built Green Canada offers a national third-party-certified green home rating program for residential builders. It competes directly with CRESNET's HERS rating by providing an alternative performance-based certification and builder program in the same Canadian residential market.
• RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network): RESNET is the US counterpart and parent standards body that grants CRESNET its HERS accreditation authority via MOU. It administers the same HERS Index methodology in the United States and is CRESNET's most directly comparable peer in mission, standards, and rater network model.

Broad incumbents

• ENERGY STAR for New Homes Canada: ENERGY STAR for New Homes is a federal energy performance certification administered via NRCan. Several CRESNET board members (including John Godden) helped launch ENERGY STAR, and it remains an adjacent builder-targeted certification in the same Canadian residential performance market.
• Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC): CaGBC administers LEED in Canada and operates residential green building certification. While broader in scope, it competes with CRESNET's HERS Carbon Index and energy performance accreditation efforts for builder mind-share and rater training enrollments.
• Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) — EnerGuide: NRCan operates the EnerGuide home energy rating system, a federally backed alternative to HERS for Canadian homeowners. It competes with CRESNET's HERS Index by offering a parallel, government-supported performance rating framework.

Emerging players

• R-2000 Homes Program (NRCan): R-2000 is a federally recognized energy efficiency standard for new homes. John Godden (CRESNET Technical Director) built one of the first R-2000 homes, and the program overlaps with HERS on performance-based residential energy certification in Canada.
• Passive House Canada: Passive House Canada promotes the Passive House standard for high-performance residential and small commercial buildings, including training and certification. It overlaps with CRESNET's mission of accrediting professionals for energy performance verification in Canadian residential construction.

Regional players

• BC Hydro Power Smart Residential Programs: BC Hydro offers energy efficiency labeling and incentive programs for residential construction in British Columbia. While regionally focused and utility-driven, it competes with CRESNET's rater accreditation for builder attention in a key Canadian market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CRESNET - CANADIAN RESIDENTIAL ENERGY SERVICES NETWORK INC.