Canada has committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050. But the country won’t be able to get there without significant energy efficiency improvements to Canada’s existing homes.  Although new construction homes are often built to much higher energy performance standards than the homes of the past, even if all new homes built from now until 2050 are built with zero emissions, Canada would still not hit our target. To reach our country’s ambitious goals, we must renovate existing housing stock for improved energy efficiency.  Energy retrofitting Canada’s existing housing stock is ..read more

Entering the world of real estate as a homebuyer can be both exhilarating and daunting, and a key milestone in the journey towards homeownership is signing a purchase contract. This document, dense with legal terminology and intricate details, is the blueprint of your purchase, outlining the rights and responsibilities of both buyer and seller. While your lawyer should walk you through things, understanding the nuances of a purchase contract is important, as it not only safeguards your interests but also sets the stage for a successful transaction. This article aims to demystify the purchase a ..read more

Did you know that nearly 90% of Canadians wish to stay in their homes for as long as possible? As we age, our mobility and physical abilities can change, making it challenging to navigate our homes. But there are adaptations you can make to your home to help ease the transition, making your home safer and more accessible so that you can stay in it for as long as possible. If you or a loved one want to stay in your home longterm, it’s important to prioritize creating a home environment that will support your evolving physical abilities – ideally, well before it’s a necessity and you have to ma ..read more

Energy efficiency has quickly become a top consideration for new home buyers. In fact, CHBA’s Home Buyer Preference Survey shows that energy efficiency features like high-efficiency appliances and windows are frequently among the top 10 features homeowners are looking for in their homes year-over-year. This has led to a growing popularity in Net Zero Homes, with over 1,700 homes now labelled under CHBA’s Net Zero Home Labelling Program. If you’re not familiar with Net Zero Homes, you might be wondering why more home buyers are interested in purchasing one. Or maybe you’re someone who already p ..read more

As the energy efficiency of homes becomes a higher priority for Canadians, many are trying to decide if a Net Zero Home is right for them. With the ease of information sharing these days, there are also a lot of myths about these high-performance homes. As a result, these myths sometimes cause confusion about what Net Zero Homes really are and how they work. So, in this blog post we debunk the top 9 myths about Net Zero Homes in Canada and explain what makes them the ultimate in comfort and efficiency. Myth 1: Net Zero Homes can’t withstand Canadian winters One of the most common myths we hear ..read more

  Working in the residential construction industry is a rewarding and fulfilling career. Building and renovating homes provides a sense of accomplishment at the end of each day when you can see the work you’ve done. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in construction, here are some steps you can take to get started:  First, consider what area of residential construction you’re interested in. Maybe you’re interested in framing up walls and roofs, perfecting drywall, building cabinets, plumbing, or electrical. Check out this page for various different jobs that go into building ..read more

Home energy efficiency is a growing topic of conversation among Canadians. Buyers and homeowners are increasingly showing interest in Net Zero Homes – and builders and renovators across Canada are delivering.  The  CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence is Canada’s premiere competition for new homes, renovations, community development, and residential marketing. This year’s competition featured two Net Zero Home Award categories – one for Best Custom or Renovated Net Zero Home, and another for Best Production Net Zero Home.  Builders and renovators submitted their Net Zero ..read more

As home energy efficiency becomes a growing priority for home buyers and homeowners across Canada, custom or renovated Net Zero Homes, as well as production Net Zero Homes, are having their moment in the sun. From high-efficiency windows to a tighter building envelope, builders and renovators are increasingly being asked to meld energy efficiency requirements with great design. And their efforts are certainly quashing the myth that extremely efficient homes require sacrificing beautiful design. Their innovative work shined in the 2023 CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence. Back in Januar ..read more

So, you’ve decided to take on a home renovation. You’ve determined what renovations you want done and landed on a rough budget. You’ve also started looking for contractors, but you’re having trouble deciding which ones are right for your renovation, even though you’ve done your due diligence getting recommendations and thoroughly interviewed possible candidates. During this process, you might find that some – even highly recommended – contractors will want to form a verbal, cash deal with you. If, by instinct, that makes you feel uncomfortable, it’s probably because verbal contracts can be a r ..read more

Every part of a Net Zero Home works together in harmony to create the ultimate energy efficient living space. Like a well-oiled machine, every aspect of the home, including the building envelope, mechanical systems, and renewable energy systems, works as a system to ensure peak performance. Through advanced building techniques, technologies, and products, builders can significantly reduce a home’s energy consumption. Here are the three main components of a Net Zero Home and how they work as a system to offer this energy efficient lifestyle. Superior Building Envelope Most Canada homes use rou ..read more