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Building codes are moving us down the path to Net Zero Energy by 2050. Electrification and renewable energy systems are how we get there, once we've improve the building envelope. Active solar is ideal for homeowners seeking higher efficiency and control over energy generation, while passive solar is a cost-effective, low-maintenance solution for energy savings through thoughtful design. The choice between the two depends on your energy needs, budget, and whether you're building a new home or retrofitting an existing one.

So let’s talk about exterior insulation retrofits and how they are a relatively easy project to add into a job where it's time to replace the cladding, but we can't track how many jobs have insulation added, or how much/how well it's installed. Right off the bat, it’s most cost effective to add insulation to the outside of the house and to replace windows at the same time as recladding. This is the point at which we can make the biggest difference in the long-term durability, comfort and energy performance for the homeowner. As incentive programs are often based on single measures, these two integral upgrades are often disconnected.

Learning to build energy-efficient homes is not just about adopting a few green technologies; it’s about a holistic approach that integrates smart design principles, harnesses solar energy, employs energy modeling, pays attention to the details for air sealing, and uses efficient systems and appliances. By following the strategies outlined in this article, from sealing the building envelope to integrating renewable energy sources, you can help homeowners achieve significant savings, enhance comfort, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

In energy efficient home building and renovation, there are 5 Cs in success: Code, Costs, Clients, Callbacks, and Crews. This article looks at each of these Cs and how they contribute to your overall success as a builder, renovator, contractor or tradesperson.

Given my experience on site, echoed by nearly every single woman I know professionally, and the continued gender split that is taught from preschool on, it's no wonder women still make up a small proportion of the construction workforce. And that’s a problem for the industry. A serious one that is partially feeding into the looming jobs vacuum.

Proper sizing of any heating/cooling system is crucial to good performance and best energy (utility) savings. Here's some top-level advice for comparing heat pumps, primarily in heating climates.

A good time to do an exterior insulation retrofit is when it’s time to replace the siding or cladding. The best time is to do it when it’s time to replace the siding AND the windows. The best time to replace windows is when the siding needs to be replaced. Cladding, windows, roof. Replacement time means improvement time. Timing is everything. Not just for deferred maintenance, but also for the owner’s monthly budget.

The federal government announced and has implemented a program where low income households can actually get the full cost of the heat pump and removing the oil furnace/tank covered. It’s been launched in Atlantic Canada. Why Atlantic Canada? For a program getting household off oil heat? Where better? Let me sing you my song about Atlantic Canada's perfect storm of housing issues: We have some of the oldest housing stock in the country We have some of the highest energy prices in the country We have the lowest median income We have the highest median income tax We have a large population of households on fixed income We have no access to cheap natural gas We have a higher than average rate of energy poverty Why only fund low-income households that use oil heat? What about low-income households heated by natural gas or electricity? Oil heat is expensive. I'm not sure that folks who live and work in gas- or electricity-dominated markets really get exactly how expensive. And there are other financial risk factors that need to be addressed when it comes to oil heat that don't apply to households using other energy sources.

Upgrade your skills and join the movement towards energy-efficient, sustainable, and resilient homes with the Whole House Energy Retrofit course by Blue House Energy and Built Green Canada.

As the demand for housing continues to grow, it is more important than ever to prioritize energy efficiency and sustainability in residential construction and renovation. Whole house energy retrofits play a crucial role in meeting these goals, while also addressing the need for resiliency in the face of climate change and upcoming regulatory changes.