CHBA Net Zero Renovations

More people are working, learning, socializing and exercising in their homes than ever before, and the cost of energy and the importance of comfort and indoor air quality has become more significant. In addition, Canada has set ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets that can only be met in the housing sector if residential renovations for energy efficiency are part of the solution.

A Net Zero Renovation follows a methodical process to achieve the same goals as a new Net Zero Home. It is recognized that some areas of an existing home may not be in scope, even during a major renovation such as upgrading to Net Zero. While there are specific exemptions to a few of the Net Zero for New Homes requirements, the overall profile must meet the same stringent energy, air quality, and comfort checks.

Net Zero Renovations can be combined with other major interior or exterior upgrades. It is important to have the right contractors and consultants at the table before major design decisions are made to ensure all opportunities and maximum benefits are achieved.

Determine whether a house is a good candidate for a Net Zero Energy Renovation:

Note that not all homes are suitable candidates for a Net Zero Renovation. Orientation and shape of the house and roof, solar aspect, perimeter access as well as where the house is on its major maintenance timeline, are important factors to assess. Qualified Net Zero Energy Advisors and Renovators work closely together to guide an optimal solution for the homeowner. CHBA works to develop and provide its members with tools to help navigate each home's path to Net Zero. For example, CHBA has developed an Exterior Renovation Checklist, where each stage engages with Qualified participants to properly evaluate conditions and provide solutions that work together as a house-as-a-system.

Using an Integrated Design Process allows for optimizing the needs of the homeowner, the targets of the energy conservation measures with the implementation by the renovator and contractors involved.

CHBA’s Net Zero Home Labelling Program for Renovations officially launched after a two year Pilot, October 2021 (read the press release here) that continues CHBA’s long history in leading energy efficiency in residential construction. It builds on the existing Net Zero Home Labelling Program for new homes, which has been leading the industry since 2015.

The Program provides the industry with a clearly defined and rigorous two-tiered technical requirement that recognizes Net Zero and Net Zero Ready Homes (for new and existing homes), as well as the builders and renovators who provide them. A national network of CHBA Net Zero Qualified Service Organizations, Energy Advisors and Trainers work directly with the renovators to design, model, test and inspect each renovation.

About the towards net zero reno initiative

The Pilot

A pilot version of the Net Zero Home Labelling Program for Renovations "Getting to Net Zero Energy/Ready Renovations" ran from April 2020 to March 2021 to validate technical and administrative details. See more about this work as well as the profiles of the successfully renovated homes, 3 to Net Zero and 3 to Net Zero Ready.

Butterwick Construction
Edmonton, AB