June 13, 2017

How would you feel if you found out your neighbour in your suburban housing development had a utility bill that was a tiny fraction of your monthly costs? That's the comparison an increasing number of home buyers will be making as Net Zero homes pop up in communities across Canada.

As this London Free Press article reports, homes that produce as much energy as they consume are very much a reality. The article looks at one of Building Knowledge's home projects in London, which features innovations such as solar shingles and interlocking pavers on the driveway have small gaps that allow rain to drain into a cistern that provides water to flush toilets and wash cars.

As the Building Knowledge's building science expert on the project and Chair of the Canadian Home Builders' Association's Net Zero Energy Homes Council, Andrew Oding explains that this home is part of a pilot for a national labelling program to help consumers identify Net Zero homes.

These homes provide many obvious benefits home owners. Andy says, "We will have homes that have fantastic fresh air machines, even temperatures from top to bottom, and mechanical systems that are exceptionally quiet."

For home builders ready to set their projects ahead of the competition, Building Knowledge can help them develop marketing, financial, and technical strategies to ensure they can achieve net zero.