1How much does it cost to submit for an Award?
The fee for each entry is $250 (plus 13% HST) unless otherwise indicated in the award description. Entries are not complete until payment is received and are non-refundable.
2Are 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.
3How to I pay for my award submission?
Payment is by credit card. Visa, MasterCard, and AMEX are accepted. A link to the secure payment portal will be sent to you once you have uploaded your submission application, and will be marked complete once your payment is received
4When are award submission payments due?
All payments must be received no later than the deadline (January 10th, 2025 @ 11 PM ET) to qualify for judging.
5What are all the Award categories for the EQ Awards?
All 17 categories and their descriptions can be located HERE. The Innovation Gauntlet Award is determined live, as the audience will vote (anonymously) following all of the Innovation Gauntlet pitches.
6Entry 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 11:00pm on Friday, January 10, 2025.
7Are projects outside of Canada eligible for the EnerQUALITY Awards?
No.
8Are 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.
9Do 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.
10We want to submit more than 1 project for a category, since the eligibility window is 2 calendar years (2023 and 2024). Can I enter more than one project for a category?
Yes. You are able to enter up to 3 projects per category.
11Can 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.
12Definitions
- “Small/Custom Home Builder” includes builders labelling 1 – 49 ENERGY STAR homes (within the eligibility window of January 1, 2023 – Dec 31, 2024)
- “Mid-Volume Builder” includes builders labelling 50 – 249 ENERGY STAR homes (within the eligibility window of January 1, 2023 – Dec 31, 2024)
- “Large Volume Builder” includes builders labelling 250+ ENERGY STAR homes (within the eligibility window of January 1, 2023 – Dec 31, 2024)
13JUDGING
- ENERQUALITY will appoint independent judges who will determine up to three (3) finalists in each award category. Standard awards are scored by a minimum of three (3) judges.
- Judges score each submission independently based on the criteria and only confer when adjudicating a tie. Judges will determine a single winner in each category. Names of finalists may be released in advance.
- Each entry is evaluated based on the response to the questions and the supporting documentation (images, files, etc) relating to the project. Judges are directed to adjudicate each response against specific criteria.
14Recognition 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
15EQ 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 February 10th, 2025 and will be contacted directly. Finalists will have until Monday, February 24th to purchase tickets at a special rate to secure their seats for the event.
