Net Zero Renovations, the Facts

Last Updated on October 12, 2023 by Showrooms Online

Net Zero Renovations, the Facts

Net zero home renovations, the facts tell the story of what needs to happen if we are to successfully slow and stop climate change. Renovation of existing housing to higher levels of energy efficiency is a key factor in slowing climate change in Canada and around the world.

Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

The Enclosure as a System

Net Zero requires a systems approach to the whole building enclosure with an understanding of current building science.

The systems approach deals with heat loss, air tightness and moisture. Indoor air quality, proper ventilation, filtration and heat losses. All contribute to comfort, health and energy savings. Indoor air quality, alone, requires an awareness and understanding that is not common. Correcting single design issues in a renovation can lead to problems that did not exist before you made the changes.

For example, adding insulation will not achieve much if the issues of air tightness and older windows are not addressed.

Additionally, the installation of a heat pump requires improving the energy efficiency of the enclosure first to allow proper and affordable sizing and control of available units.

Also, at some point it becomes more economical to add solar panels than to reduce energy requirements of the structure. However, the structure needs to be at a certain level of efficiency before the use of solar is even practical.

An Energy Evaluation

The first step is to get an energy evaluation to the standards set by Natural Resources. This will provide an overall, data based, understanding of what needs to be done. The energy evaluation is also a requirement to qualify for financial grants even if the renovations needed are done in steps.

The Challenges

The National Building codes already include the design and construction standards to achieve net zero in new housing. These standards become mandatory when included in the Provincial building codes. The BC step code level 5, for example, meets all requirements. Level 5 is still voluntary in most jurisdictions. Building to net zero standards generally adds as much as 10% to total costs in a time when affordability of housing is a major issue. In addition, severe shortages of skilled trades limits the capacity of the entire housing industry.

Education and awareness of homeowners is needed to drive demand. Training of and innovation by renovators is essential to filling any increased demand.

However, based on recent heat waves, floods, and air quality from wild fires, we are fast running out of time. Targets based on the year 2050 are wish lists. We do not have that much time available,

Solutions are still achievable but not at the current rate of progress. Huge efforts are being made but they are nowhere near enough to avoid the consequences of climate change and global warming. The consequences of not winning are enormous.