Energy Efficient Homes
The Building Science of High Efficiency Homes
This is the stuff we really dig! Homes are not what they used to be, and today we are better at understanding all the various things that act on a home to determine how they do or do not perform. An energy efficient home is one that uses less energy while it operates. They take all the various elements into consideration so that the home is a cohesive system; all its parts work together in the most efficient manner possible. There are many different levels and labelling programs that distinguish a home’s level of performance. These homes outshine their predecessors in many aspects; they are less drafty, they are more insulated, and their mechanical systems and equipment are much more efficient. Northern Homecraft Ltd. is happy to offer both the Energy Star and the Net Zero/R programs of performance to our clients. As a proven certified builder (we built and certified BC’s first single detached Net Zero/R home in 2018) of these labelling programs, we can assure our clients the best opportunity possible to build to a higher standard. While these homes do cost more to build, they have been known to provide a smaller monthly cost burden to their owners when factoring both the mortgage and utility bills.
Net Zero and Net Zero Ready Homes. What are those?
A Net Zero Home is one that produces as much clean energy in a year as it consumes. A Net Zero Ready Home is one that has been built and modelled to the same standards as a Net Zero Home but does not have the solar or other energy sources yet attached. A ready home has all the provisions in place for the energy source to simply be attached or installed in the future, including all needed conduits as well as designated spaces for specified pieces of equipment. This makes the future installations much more “plug and play” and less of a retro-fit. The building of a Net Zero/R home can involve multiple parties and much planning to ensure the best route to achieving the performance goal- but we LOVE geeking out on this stuff and would love the opportunity to do so for you!