Net Zero Home Label to Recognize Homes that Produce as Much Energy as They Consume
Ottawa, May 2, 2017 – The Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) today officially launched its Net Zero Home Labelling Program - continuing CHBA’s long history in leading energy efficiency in residential construction. The Program provides the industry and consumers with a clearly defined and rigorous two-tiered technical requirement that recognizes Net Zero and Net Zero Ready Homes, and identifies the builders and renovators who provide them. A pilot version of the Net Zero Home Labelling Program ran from September 2015 to December 2016 to validate technical and administrative details.
“CHBA supports leading-edge innovation in the residential construction industry with the goal of having those innovations as a voluntary and affordable choice for consumers,” said Kevin Lee, CEO. “The Net Zero Home Label will help to meet the energy efficient housing aspirations of Canadians, and renew Canadian industry leadership in high performance housing. CHBA members have always been leaders and innovators - this program continues that trend.”
Net Zero training has been developed for CHBA members who want to be part of this exciting program. This training will help get the necessary knowledge into the hands of key stakeholders and accelerate the industry’s capacity to achieve Net Zero.
A national network of CHBA Net Zero Qualified Service Organizations, Energy Advisors and Trainers will work directly with the builders and renovators to design, model, test and inspect each home.
“CHBA would like to thank all of our Net Zero Council members and industry stakeholders who participated in the development of the Program through the pilot phase. Your advice and leadership throughout the process helped shape Net Zero and the future of energy efficiency in housing.” said Sonja Winkelmann, Director, Net Zero Energy Housing.
A Full Spectrum of Market Offerings
The CHBA supports a full spectrum of voluntary energy performance levels to provide Canadians with higher performing homes. These programs present a complete market offering that is applicable to custom and production homes, renovations and low-rise Multi-Unit Residential Buildings (MURBs).
The CHBA Net Zero Home Labelling Program has been designed so that a home could still qualify for Net Zero Ready, R-2000, or ENERGY STAR® if Net Zero isn’t achievable. This diagram shows the increasing energy performance levels:
Due to the energy production that is part of a Net Zero Home, its energy performance is 100% better than homes built to code.
CHBA Nationwide Home Buyer Preference Study
In this years CHBA Home Buyer Preference Study “certified by an energy program” made the top 10 list! Another 4 energy efficient features (HRV/ERV, energy efficient home, energy efficient appliances, and energy efficient windows) made the list again this year. However, only 15% of respondents would put an extra $10,000 towards energy-efficiency, whereas 33% would put it towards interior finishes.
Want to know what else home buyers are looking for in a new home? If you’re looking for powerful insight into today’s new home buyer market, then CHBA’s 2018 nationwide market research study – powered by Avid Ratings Canada – is a must read. 3,000 home buyers participated in the fourth annual CHBA survey on more than 50 in-depth areas of home design, building features, buying preferences, and demographics. Learn more / buy it here.
The top 10 overall “Must Have” home features identified by the 2019 study participants:
- Walk-in closets
- Energy-efficient appliances
- High-efficiency windows
- Overall energy-efficient home
- Kitchen island
- Open-concept kitchen
- Linen closets
- HRV/ERV Air Exchange
- Large windows
- Two-car garage
|
“Our
National Home Buyer Preference Study confirmed that consumers want and
expect an energy efficient home. Our members have a long history in
delivering high performance homes and are ready and eager to deliver the
next generation of high performance housing to discerning Canadian home
buyers. Our Net Zero Home Labelling Program provides third party
confirmation for both the industry and the consumer.”
Kevin Lee, CEO, Canadian Home Builders’ Association
Canadians want their homes to be as tough as they are; to be able to endure Canadian winters with ease! CHBA members will meet the housing aspirations of Canadians, and renew Canadian leadership in high performance housing by offering consumers a “made in Canada” solution: Net Zero Homes!
Order the complete 2019 Home Buyer Preference Study report here.