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Net Zero

Net Zero and Net Zero Ready Homes offer whole-house comfort, excellent indoor air quality, and superior energy performance using proven advanced technologies and construction practices. Learn more about these revolutionary homes.

5 Award-Worthy Production Net Zero Homes in Canada

Canadian home buyers are increasingly showing interest in Net Zero Homes, and builders and renovators across the country are expertly producing the goods.  This year’s CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence – Canada’s premiere competition for new homes, renovations, community development, and residential marketing – recognized housing excellence in two Net Zero Home awards categories: … Continued

Net Zero Renovations: Improving the Energy Efficiency of Canada’s Existing Homes

Canada has committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050. But the country won’t be able to get there without significant energy efficiency improvements to Canada’s existing homes.  Although new construction homes are often built to much higher energy performance standards than the homes of the past, even if all new homes built from now … Continued

All Net Zero Posts

Top 5 Custom or Renovated Net Zero Homes in Canada

As the desire for extremely energy efficient homes grows in popularity across Canada, many homeowners are asking Qualified Net Zero Builders/Renovators to deliver their Net Zero dream homes.  Builders and renovators who submitted projects into this year’s CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence – Canada’s foremost competition for new homes, renovations, community development, and residential … Continued

5 Award-Worthy Production Net Zero Homes in Canada

Canadian home buyers are increasingly showing interest in Net Zero Homes, and builders and renovators across the country are expertly producing the goods.  This year’s CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence – Canada’s premiere competition for new homes, renovations, community development, and residential marketing – recognized housing excellence in two Net Zero Home awards categories: … Continued

Net Zero Renovations: Improving the Energy Efficiency of Canada’s Existing Homes

Canada has committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050. But the country won’t be able to get there without significant energy efficiency improvements to Canada’s existing homes.  Although new construction homes are often built to much higher energy performance standards than the homes of the past, even if all new homes built from now … Continued

Buying New? Consider a Net Zero Home

Energy efficiency has quickly become a top consideration for new home buyers. In fact, CHBA’s Home Buyer Preference Survey shows that energy efficiency features like high-efficiency appliances and windows are frequently among the top 10 features homeowners are looking for in their homes year-over-year. This has led to a growing popularity in Net Zero Homes, … Continued

Top 9 Myths About Net Zero Homes in Canada

As the energy efficiency of homes becomes a higher priority for Canadians, many are trying to decide if a Net Zero Home is right for them. With the ease of information sharing these days, there are also a lot of myths about these high-performance homes. As a result, these myths sometimes cause confusion about what … Continued

Top 5 Projects for the Best Production Net Zero Home Award in the 2023 CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence

Home energy efficiency is a growing topic of conversation among Canadians. Buyers and homeowners are increasingly showing interest in Net Zero Homes – and builders and renovators across Canada are delivering.  The  CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence is Canada’s premiere competition for new homes, renovations, community development, and residential marketing. This year’s competition featured … Continued

Top 5 Custom or Renovated Net Zero Homes in this year’s CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence

As home energy efficiency becomes a growing priority for home buyers and homeowners across Canada, custom or renovated Net Zero Homes, as well as production Net Zero Homes, are having their moment in the sun. From high-efficiency windows to a tighter building envelope, builders and renovators are increasingly being asked to meld energy efficiency requirements … Continued

The Science Behind a Net Zero Home

Every part of a Net Zero Home works together in harmony to create the ultimate energy efficient living space. Every aspect of the home, including the building envelope, mechanical systems, and renewable energy systems, works together as a system to ensure peak performance. Through advanced “building science” techniques, technologies, and products, builders can significantly reduce … Continued

What is Phantom Energy Usage and How Does it Affect Your Utility Costs?

Have you ever looked at your utility bill and wondered how you possibly used so much energy? As more workplaces adopt a work from home model, you’re likely using more energy than you ever have before. But if you’re someone who follows responsible protocols to conserve energy – like switching off the lights when they’re … Continued

Green is in: Net Zero Homes impress in the 2022 CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence

Today’s homes increasingly prioritize energy efficiency – whether it be through high-efficiency windows, energy efficient appliances, or a tighter building envelope. So, it’s no surprise that Net Zero Homes are gaining popularity among home buyers and homeowners. Last week, the finalists of the 2022 CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence were announced – and Qualified … Continued

Net Zero Communities Across Canada

Net Zero Homes were once only seen in custom homes, but committed and passionate builders across Canada are now offering Net Zero production homes and even full communities. Energy efficient homes are becoming more desirable to many Canadians who are looking for superior quality, greater comfort, and who want to be environmentally responsible. And Net … Continued

Do Net Zero Homes save you money?

Jennifer Weatherston Vice President of Operations at Doug Tarry Homes Chris Williams Vice President at Avalon Master Builder As the effects of climate change redefine how we think about our energy consumption, more home buyers and homeowners are prioritizing home energy efficiency by purchasing a Net Zero Home or renovating their home to Net Zero. … Continued

A Look Inside an Award-Winning Net Zero Home

Greg Hasler, Founder and CEO of Qualified Net Zero Home Builder Hasler Homes Ltd. As home energy efficiency continues to be prioritized by new buyers, and government incentives like the recent Greener Homes Grant make home energy efficiency renovations more accessible to homeowners, Net Zero / Net Zero Ready Homes are growing in popularity. And … Continued

Why Net Zero Homes are healthier and more comfortable

Good Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) are both key to a healthier and more comfortable living experience. On top of being far more energy efficient than conventional homes, Net Zero Homes provide exceptional IAQ and IEQ for greater wellness and comfort. In this post, we break down why Net Zero Homes … Continued

Renovating Your Home for Energy Efficiency: Explained

What is an energy efficiency renovation? An energy efficiency renovation improves the energy performance of your existing home. Undertaking an energy efficiency renovation on your home is an investment that delivers a multitude of benefits that you will enjoy immediately, and it can also increase the value of your home when/if you decide to sell. … Continued

Are all energy efficient homes the same?

The difference between an EnerGuide Label and a CHBA Net Zero Home Label Thinking about building a new home or renovating your existing one? Investing in energy efficiency for your home will pay off in lower energy bills and can even increase the value of your home. But not all energy efficient homes are the same. There are a few options that you and your builder/renovator can choose from if you … Continued

What is a Net Zero Service Organization?

If you’re purchasing a Net Zero Home, whether it’s a model from a builder you love or you’re building a custom home, your main point of contact is likely going to be your builder. If you’re renovating your home to Net Zero, your renovator is your main point of contact, though if you’re still living … Continued

The Beauty of Energy Efficiency: Net Zero Homes in Canada

Net Zero Homes put on their best show yet in this year’s CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence. From rustic to modern, budget-friendly to luxury, new builds to renovations, qualified Net Zero builders and renovators across Canada showed that Net Zero Homes are pushing the envelope in energy efficient design, construction, and renovation. To have … Continued

What’s the Difference Between Net Zero & Net Zero Ready Homes?

If you’ve researched energy efficient homes, you’ve probably come across the terms “Net Zero” and “Net Zero Ready.” But what do they mean, and how are they different? We’re breaking down the differentiating features of a Net Zero and Net Zero Ready Home. What is a Net Zero Home? Net Zero Homes are defined as … Continued

CHBA Survey Delivers Unique Insight into Today’s New Home Buyers

For the last six years, the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) has teamed up with Avid Ratings Canada – a leading customer satisfaction research company – to ask new home buyers about what drives their purchase decisions. You may remember we’ve talked about some results before, like this post on renovation trends. The annual CHBA … Continued

What is an Energy Advisor?

What is an Energy Advisor? Energy Advisors (EAs) are specialists in rating home energy efficiency, and they provide guidance to homeowners who are interested in improving their home’s efficiency. EAs are registered by National Resources Canada (NRCan) to deliver EnerGuide Rating Systems (ERS) for new or existing homes. In short, an Energy Advisor is a third-party consultant who works closely with builders, renovators … Continued

Net Zero Homes in Canada: Diverse and Efficient

Diversity in Net Zero builds wasn’t lacking this year for finalists of the 2020 CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence, powered by Avid Ratings Canada. From custom homes in the country, homes with budget-friendly mindfulness, suburban homes for growing families, a complete Net Zero renovation of an existing heirloom home, to an urban project that … Continued

Why Net Zero Homes Are So Comfortable

Net zero homes are an excellent option for those looking for a comfortable, energy efficient space. By producing as much clean energy as they consume, net zero homes are up to 80% more energy efficient than typical new homes. In order to reach such impressive levels of energy efficiency, these homes need to have extremely … Continued

Project Hope: Community Rallies to Build Net Zero Ready Home in Just Three Days

From June 9 to 11, 2017, CHBA Member Doug Tarry Homes gathered more than 600 volunteers in St. Thomas, Ontario to build Project Hope – a Net Zero Ready Home – in just three days. Proceeds of the sale of this new home will help support the family of a local man, Johnny Nooren, who … Continued