
We built our new Net Zero Home (to Step 5+ of the BC Building Code) on an urban infill lot and moved in during August of 2019. We designed the home from the top down to include a full array of energy efficient features:
- standing seam metal roofing (off white, 8.5/12 pitch south facing)
- 35 (now 41) solar panels
- Hardie Board siding, exterior insulation (Roxsul Comfort Board), blown-in dense pack cellulose insulation in all exterior wall cavities (~R38)
- 24″+ cellulose attic insulation (~R60)
- triple pane windows and doors
- air sealed envelope (less than 0.59 ACH)
- covered wrap-around concrete deck on south and west sides
- exterior sun shades on exposed east, south and west facing windows
- in-floor heating/cooling on all levels using an air to water heat pump (HP)
- HRV for interior fresh air supplied through earth tubes which pre-warm or cool incoming air
- passive solar hot water preheat
- our hybrid (HP) electric hot water tank also provides cold air to our cold room, grey water diversion to irrigate our xeriscape garden seasonally.
We have no gas BBQ or natural gas service so have no GHG emissions.
Our EV (Chevy Bolt) is usually charged at our 32 Amp level 2 charging station. We are signed up with the BC Hydro Net Metering Program so we put power into the grid for 8 months per year, building up credits and draw back from the grid for the remaining 4 months. Last calendar year (2024) we ‘owed’ BC Hydro about $0.50 for 4.64 Kwh of electricity.
In the spring, we plant a green screen of scarlet runner beans along the south side of the deck which grows up to shade the deck from the summer sun while attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. It also provides us with beans for winter soups. Our home has both an indoor and ‘outdoor’ workshop, a green house, roof-top terrace and an outdoor shower which is used year round.
Air Sealing

Electric Hot Water Heating

Energy Star Appliances

EV Charging

Heat Pump

Heat Recovery

High R Value Insulation

HP Windows or Doors

Induction Stove

Landscaping and Yard

LED Lighting

Low-Flow Water Fixtures

Natural Materials Insulation

Solar PV
