1How much does it cost to submit for an Award?
The fee for each entry is $250 (+ HST) unless otherwise indicated in the award description. Entries are not complete until payment is received and are non-refundable.
2How long are submissions open for?
Submissions are open from Wednesday, December 3, 2025 – Friday, January 16, 2026.
3When will I know if my submission was shortlisted as a finalist?
Finalists will be announced on the ENERQUALITY website on Tuesday, February 17th Sign up for our newsletter to ensure you see the announcement notifications.
4What is the eligibility period for these Awards?
The eligibility period for submissions is January 1st, 2025, through December 31st, 2025.
5What if I don’t have the necessary upload materials available at the time of submission?
Some categories will not let you proceed in your submission without the necessary upload materials. It is strongly encouraged to prepare your materials ahead of starting your submission to meet all of the requirements. This will ensure your submission goes seamlessly and has an equal representation to competing submissions.
6There was an error processing my payment and I don’t know if my submission went through. Should I try again?
Before attempting to reprocess payment or resubmit your materials, please contact Joanne Fraraccio, Education & Events Manager at joanne@enerquality.ca. She will verify the status of your payment and submission and then provide next steps to confirm or complete your submission.
7Are all Award submissions eligible?
If an entry is deemed ineligible by ENERQUALITY prior to judging, the fee will be returned to the entrant, minus a $50 + HST administration fee per entry. ENERQUALITY reserves the right to disqualify submissions/entries without refund if deemed incomplete or ineligible.
8Entry Format
All entries must be summited online. The online entry tool enables you to check your submission form before finalizing. Once you submit your entry, you will receive a confirmation with a link to the payment portal.
Each entry must fulfill the submission requirements as defined.
- Each question regarding your entry has its own allotted word count.
- Entries are not penalized for not meeting a word count.
- Bullet point responses are permitted.
Some categories have specific requirements, so be sure to read the description and criteria carefully and ensure that all required materials are uploaded by the deadline to complete the entry. All entries must be received by 5:00pm EST on Friday, January 16, 2026.
9Are projects outside of Canada eligible for the ENERQUALITY Awards?
No.
10Are renderings acceptable as image uploads?
Renderings are not acceptable. The only exception would be that renderings may be found in the content of the Best Green Marketing category, however real pictures of the brochure, not renderings should be submitted.
Floorplans are acceptable as part of the images uploaded for the Green Renovation Project of the Year category.
11Do entries need to be anonymous (i.e. all logos and identifying marks removed from images, floor plans, etc.)
Product (new homes and renovations) images need to be unmarked (no logo, borders, etc). We encourage floor plans to be free of identifying marks whenever possible, but it is not a requirement for this competition because we are trying not to make it too taxing for you to enter. By nature, images submitted to marketing categories can have logos on them.
12Can I enter more than one project for a project-specific category?
Yes. You can enter up to 3 projects per project-specific category.
Project-Specific categories include: Green Renovation Project of the Year, Innovation in Building of the Year, Best Green Marketing Campaign of the Year, and the Multi-Family New Construction Building of the Year.
13Can I enter a Net Zero Ready home into a Net Zero Home Award category?
Yes, as long as it has been qualified in the CHBA Net Zero Home Labelling Program.
14Definitions
- “Small/Custom Home Builder” includes builders labelling 1 – 49 ENERGY STAR homes (within the eligibility window)
- “Mid-Volume Builder” includes builders labelling 50 – 249 ENERGY STAR homes (within the eligibility window)
- “Large Volume Builder” includes builders labelling 250+ ENERGY STAR homes (within the eligibility window)
15Judging
Judging Criteria & Process
Entries are evaluated using a standardized scoring framework to ensure consistency, fairness, and transparency across all categories. Judges score each criterion from 1–10; the platform applies the weightings below and aggregates results to determine finalists and winners.
Criteria
Impact: 40% | Tangible outcomes and influence (energy efficiency, housing quality, sustainability, and broader community/industry benefits).
Innovation & Technical Excellence: 30% | Originality and technical advancement, application of building science and emerging technologies, and creative problem‑solving.
Execution & Quality: 20% | Quality of implementation, attention to detail, adherence to best practices, durability and performance against objectives.
Presentation & Communication: 10% | Clarity, organization, and professionalism of the submission, including supporting visuals and documentation.
Scoring Method
Each judge assigns a score from 1 to 10 for the four criteria. Weighted totals are calculated automatically and averaged across judges. The top three entries in each category are designated Finalists; the highest overall score is the Winner.
Judging Panel & Standards
A panel of 10–12 independent professionals (builders, renovators, energy advisors, association representatives, media, and housing leaders) evaluates entries. Judges declare conflicts of interest, receive a briefing guide with scoring benchmarks, and evaluate independently via the awards platform.
16Recognition Policy
Please be sure to acknowledge all key contributors in a specific entry. For example, if an ad agency or an architectural member submits a Green Marketing Campaign, each should recognize the others' contribution where applicable. The accuracy of spelling and information presented is the responsibility of the submitter. Please note that any content submitted as part of the nomination may be used in promotional materials by ENERQUALITY
17EQ Awards Competition Conditions
1. Entrants agree that that the project name, written description about the project, and photographs/video that are submitted as part of the entry may be used by ENERQUALITY for marketing, promotional purposes, or in any manner ENERQUALITY chooses, including but not limited to use on ENERQUALITY's website, social/digital media platforms and/or published or broadcast by ENERQUALITY, including supplying to media outlets that wish to report on the entry becoming a finalist or winner.
2. The entrant confirms that photography and video are either the product of the entrant's employee(s), or in the case of independent photographers and/or videographers, that their written consent has been obtained.
3. The entrant confirms that architecture and design are either the product of the entrant's employee(s), or in the case of independent architects and/or designers, that their written consent has been obtained.
4. Finalists will be announced on February 17th, 2026.
18Who do I contact if I have questions regarding my submission(s)?
We are here to help! Should you have any questions regarding the event, your submission(s), or the submission process, please contact Joanne Fraraccio, Education & Events Manager at joanne@enerquality.ca