High Performance Homes

Finding The Right Team

If you want to create a home design that you love and that meets high-performance standards – including energy efficiency and lower costs – you need a team of experts.

It’s important for a team, including the customers, builder, designer, structural engineer and energy consultant, to work together from the start of the planning process to identify the performance label, goals and budget.

Garry Sawchyn, owner of Emerald Park Homes has successfully completed the Canadian Home Builders’ Association’s Net Zero Home Labeling Program. He brings his 30 years of construction experience in both the residential and commercial sectors to every new custom home he builds.

“If you’re going to build a home that you intend to enjoy for a very long time, possibly even passing it down to future generations of your family, then consider including the energy efficient features and products that will make it last.”

What is a Net Zero Home?

Net Zero Homes produce as much clean energy as they consume. They are up to 80% more energy efficient than typical new homes and use renewable energy systems to produce the remaining energy they need. 

Every part of the house works together to provide consistent temperatures throughout, prevent drafts, and filter indoor air to reduce dust and allergens. Even outside noise like traffic, pets and lawnmowers will be muffled.

By purchasing a Net Zero Home, you are doing your part to protect against climate change to preserve our natural resources and significantly minimize your households’ environmental footprint.

The result: exceptional energy performance and the ultimate in comfort – a home at the forefront of sustainability. 

It all adds up to a better living experience.

What Does Owning a High Performance Home Mean?

  • Built to higher standards than conventional new homes, a Net Zero Home is more durable – with high performance, warm windows and better insulated walls and roof.
  • Increased overall comfort due to reduced drafts and temperature variations within the home
  • Lower energy bills
  • Healthy Indoor Air Quality
  • Increased Resale Value
  • Less noise pollution
  • Lower greenhouse gas emissions

The initial costs of a Net Zero Energy Home can be discouraging, however there are ways to design your home so that the features needed to achieve Net Zero can be added in the future. Roof reinforcement, wiring, piping and conduits, can be included in your build with the plan to add rooftop solar panels in the future by creating the more affordable: Net Zero-Ready Home.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Eco Plus program offers a partial premium refund to homeowners who purchase climate friendly housing like the Net Zero Energy Homes. 

It is true that you may pay more for a high-performance home, but as with a lot of investments, the long term benefits outweigh the upfront costs.

Comments are closed.