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What is a Net Zero Home?

Net Zero Homes, whether new or renovated, produce as much clean energy as they consume. They are up to 80% more energy efficient than typical new homes and use renewable energy systems to produce the remaining energy they need. Every part of the house works together to provide consistent temperatures throughout, prevent drafts, and filter indoor air to reduce dust and allergens. The result: exceptional energy performance and the ultimate in comfort – a home at the forefront of sustainability. It all adds up to a better living experience.

The people behind the movement.

Since 1943, CHBA has been the voice of Canada’s residential construction industry. Representing one of Canada's largest industry sectors, our membership is made up of some 8,500 companies – including builders, renovators, developers, trade contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, lending institutions, insurance providers, and service professionals.

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Why Live in a Net Zero Home?

  • A Net Zero Home produces as much energy as it consumes and is up to 80% more energy efficient than a home built to conventional standards.
  • With a Net Zero Home, your utility bills will fall to an all-time low, and stay low all year round.
  • A Net Zero Home protects you from future increases in energy prices. Over the years, that could be a very big deal.
  • Built to higher standards than conventional new homes, a Net Zero Home is more durable – with high performance, warm windows and better insulated walls and roof.
  • A Net Zero Home delivers exceptional comfort all year round. – Advanced construction methods and materials along with superior heating, cooling and ventilation equipment means more even temperatures throughout the house.
  • Exceptional indoor air quality for healthier living. – A built-in filtered fresh air system reduces allergens and asthma triggers, such as dust, pollen and outdoor air pollution.
  • Tightly built and well insulated, a Net Zero Home is quieter. Outside noise such as traffic, lawnmowers and barking dogs are virtually silenced.
  • By purchasing a Net Zero Home, you’re doing your part to protect against climate change and preserve natural resources for future generations.
  • With a Net Zero Home, your utility bills will fall to an all-time low, and stay low all year round.
  • All of a Net Zero Home’s features work together to significantly minimize your household’s environmental footprint.

Net Zero Homes Through Renovations

Net Zero Homes are not just for new construction anymore! Do you love your current neighborhood and home but wish it was more energy efficient, more comfortable, and had better indoor air quality? Some homes are better candidates for a Net Zero Reno than others. A CHBA Qualified Net Zero Renovator will be able to assist you in determining if your home is a good fit and can recommend various pathways to get there – in one shot, or over time with staged renovations.

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My House Design/Build Team, Surrey, British Columbia

Incentives for Home Energy Improvements Vary Across Canada
This is one more reason to work with a local Qualified Net Zero Renovator and Energy Advisor; they’re up-to-date on how to reduce renovation costs, operating costs, and the local incentive and financing programs (such as PACE) - and they may even do the rebate/incentive management on your behalf. Natural Resources Canada provides a directory of energy-efficient programs for homes, including retrofits and financial incentives. Qualified Net Zero Renovators will have experience working with energy advisors, and will help manage that aspect of your renovation.

Is a Net Zero Renovation
right for your home?

Renovating a home to Net Zero can entail significant costs for homeowners, but ultimately it is an investment in lifestyle and should reflect in the potential resale value of the home as well. Learn more about Net Zero incentive programs here.

DON'T SEE YOUR BUILDER OR RENOVATOR LISTED HERE?

ASK THEM FOR A QUALIFIED NET ZERO HOME AND WE CAN HELP THEM TO GET STARTED!

Learn More About Net Zero Homes

Net Zero Blog

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. If you want to learn more about these revolutionary homes, then look no further than the Net Zero Blog.

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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.

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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.

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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 a home’s energy consumption. Here are the three main components of a Net Zero Home.

netzero ready home label

Are All Energy Efficient Homes the Same?

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.

Net Zero Playlist

Don’t forget to check out the Net Zero Playlist on YouTube! Learn about the parts of a net zero home, the building envelope, mechanical system renewable systems, and more!

A Trusted Source

Don’t forget to check out the Net Zero Playlist on YouTube! Learn about the parts of a net zero home, the building envelope, mechanical system renewable systems, and more!

We know that as a smart consumer, you want reliable information from trusted sources. See what Natural Resources Canada and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation have to say about Net Zero Energy Homes.

Net Zero Incentives

Did you know you can get a 25% rebate on your mortgage insurance premium?

It's true! Find out how much you can save when owning a Net Zero Home by visiting Sagen (formerly called Genworth Canada) or Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

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Helping Homeowners with the Cost of Net Zero Energy

Renovating a home to Net Zero can entail significant costs for homeowners, but ultimately it is an investment in lifestyle and should reflect in the potential resale value of the home as well. CHBA has been working with the Appraisal Institute of Canada to bring best practices from the US Appraisal Institute’s Green and Energy Efficient Addendum to Canada to help ensure that investments made in energy efficiency are properly accounted for in the appraised value of a home.

For homeowners who are considering doing a deep energy retrofit, PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) is a financing tool that homeowners can use to upgrade their home’s energy performance or install renewable energy systems with no money down but rather repaid on a property's municipal tax bill over time. Currently Edmonton, Toronto, Saskatoon, and Halifax all have active programs, and many more municipalities are investigating or in the process of implementing PACE across Canada.

Net Zero Home Awards

These homes are Qualified under the CHBA Net Zero Labelling Program (either Net Zero Ready or Net Zero, new or renovated home). The award recognizes excellence in high performance homes that have an appealing aesthetic, including overall exterior and interior design, use of building forms and materials, creative use of space, and functionality of floor plan. In addition to being entered in the Net Zero Home Award category, Net Zero Homes can also be entered into the corresponding New Home Award or Home Renovation Award category.

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Best Custom or Renovated Net Zero Home

Best Custom or Renovated Net Zero Home
My House Design/Build Team Ltd
Surrey, BC
“Modern Cottage” - WINNER
with Emphasis Design Studio Ltd. and Capture Energy

Best Custom or Renovated Net Zero Home
Made to Last Custom Homes
Duncan, BC
“Quamichan Net Zero” 
 with Ryan Hoyt Designs Inc. and Bernhardt Contracting Ltd.

Best Custom or Renovated Net Zero Home
Maison Design + Build
Saskatoon, SK
“Sustainable Historical Beauty”

Best Custom or Renovated Net Zero Home
Chatsworth Fine Homes
Oakville, ON
“West Oakville Lakeshore Net Zero”

Best Custom or Renovated Net Zero Home
RDC Fine Homes Inc
Whistler, BC
“Black Shamrock”
with Capital Home Energy Inc.

Best Production Net Zero Home

Best Production Net Zero Home
Terra View Custom Homes Ltd.
Guelph, ON
“The Avonlea Elevation C, model home at Hart Village” - WINNER
with EnerQuality, Building Knowledge of Canada Inc. and Bluewater Energy Inc.

Best Production Net Zero Home
Doug Tarry Homes
St. Thomas, ON
“The Mapleridge”
with Progressive Countertop Systems

Best Production Net Zero Home
Jayman BUILT
Calgary, AB
“The Holly - Net Zero Certified”
with 4 Elements Integrated Design Ltd.

Best Production Net Zero Home
Sinclair Homes
Kitchener, ON
“The Village Farm”

Best Production Net Zero Home
Activa
Waterloo, ON
“The Laurie”