Last Updated on June 6, 2021 by Showrooms Online
Net Zero Houses are the Future
Net zero houses are the future standard for residential housing, and that future is not very far away.
In Canada, our houses use a lot of energy for space heating, hot water, lighting, and operating appliances. This energy demand is certainly seasonal, with winter heating being a major part of the annual costs. But, everyone knows that. The question is, what can we do about it?
Net Zero houses that produce as much energy as they use in a year are the answer.
There are almost 8 million existing detached houses in Canada with about 50,000 new houses being built each year. The vast majority of existing houses do not meet the current building codes for energy efficiency. My own house is one of those houses.
The problem is that most existing houses are so inefficient that they cannot be economically renovated to zero energy. My house, even with new windows, uses 26.000 kWhrs per year at a total cost near $4,000. My house is not any worse than the average house of a similar age. Neither my wallet nor my roof is big enough to solve this issue with solar panels.
Net Zero or Net Zero Ready
Step one is building a new house to high enough energy performance standards that the peak energy needs can be offset by renewable energy (usually solar) on an annual basis.
This requires a standard that is much better than a current conventionally-built house. Building codes are upgrading energy requirements so quickly that one has to be careful in using percentages better than code. If your new home is not built to the best practices available, it will be not up to code shortly after or before you move in. The extra percentage cost is not that high especially when the total cost is considered including the cost of land.
Building Science applied to new construction addresses thermal insulation, airtightness, water and vapour control, energy-efficient windows and doors, and engineered ventilation with heat recovery.
Passive House standards will produce a result that is Net Zero or Net Zero ready even if you were to miss by a bit on certification. Passive House is not new, it has been around for over 30 years.
The first certified passive house in Saskatchewan
Read one of our recent blogs on Passive House.
Taking action
Government policy is required to coordinate and direct the progress in the construction industry.
The Canadian Government is committed to a net zero economy by 2050 and to reductions of 40 t0 50% in GHG by 2030, The Paris agreement of 2015 set a target of 30%.
The Government of Canada will work with the provinces and territories to:
- Develop a “net-zero energy ready” model building code, with the goal that provinces and territories adopt it by 2030.
- Develop a model code for existing buildings to help guide energy efficiency improvements during renovations, with the goal that all provinces and territories adopt it.
British Columbia stands out as a province taking the lead in energy efficiency to combat climate change.
Health and Comfort
” Studies have shown that high-performance homes are more comfortable and healthier because they effectively manage temperature and fresh air throughout the building.”
That is enough introduction and history.
Let us introduce a company that is walking the talk in British Columbia. (We are not affiliated with this company but discovered them in a Google search.)
We called for a chat with Kemp Construction, ” you are showing up at the top of page 1 in Toronto for a Zero Energy Home search “
At Kemp Construction the
“Well-built. Every time”
Building a High Performance Home in Burnaby
Please take the time to educate yourself on the Kemp Construction website. It is well worth it.
If you are planning to build a house or do a major renovation, choose a contractor at the beginning of the process and work with them right from the start,
Net Zero Houses are the future right now.
