At Horizon Pacific Contracting, we specialize in building high-performance net-zero custom homes designed for long-term energy efficiency and sustainability. In British Columbia, net-zero homes are becoming increasingly popular due to rising energy costs and stricter building codes. The term “net-zero” refers to reducing greenhouse gas emissions (including carbon dioxide) and balancing any remaining emissions with equivalent carbon removal. If as much carbon dioxide is absorbed, stored, or removed as is emitted, net-zero status is achieved. This means overall emissions are balanced to zero. In that case, there are zero emissions being deposited into the atmosphere.
It’s important to note that the concept of net-zero applies to homebuilding, among other industries, while also existing as an overarching goal of entire economies and countries.
The History of Net-Zero and the Paris Agreement
Climate change is a challenge that knows no national borders. International cooperation is required, which is exactly what happened over ten years ago. On December 12th of 2015, a historic breakthrough was made at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris. It’s called the Paris Agreement.
The Agreement is a legally binding international treaty signed by 195 parties, which includes 194 States plus the entire European Union. Each country has agreed to halt the rise of global temperatures. The efforts of the Paris Agreement conclude we must keep temperatures within 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels to avoid catastrophe.
Canada’s Net-Zero Emissions Plan
Canada is one of the countries that signed the Paris Agreement, and is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This commitment was signed into law in June of 2021, called the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act.
The Act establishes a number of legally binding processes to set national emissions reduction targets and science-based emissions reduction plans. To hold up our end of the agreement, we’ve committed to reduce emissions by 40-45% below 2005 levels by 2030, plus emissions targets for each five-year milestone until 2050. By 2050, the country has committed to achieving net-zero.
Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan provides a roadmap on how we’ll meet these targets.
In order to achieve net-zero, citizens and the private sector have a vital role to play.
How a Home Achieves Net-Zero Energy Status
Net-zero homes are a critical piece of the puzzle in tackling climate change, helping Canada reach its Paris Agreement goals and reducing your energy bills.
A home can achieve net-zero status when it produces as much (or more) energy than it consumes on an annual basis. That doesn’t mean you have to live “off the grid”. Net-zero homes may very well be connected to the electrical grid, because they produce more energy than they need and supply that excess back to the grid.
Learn more about generating and selling energy back to BC Hydro.
Keep in mind there are Net-Zero Carbon (NZC) homes and Net-Zero Energy (NZE) homes. NZE homes produce as much energy as they consume, while NZC homes do not release any carbon dioxide. When a home is described as net-zero, that typically refers to NZE. This infographic from the World Green Building Council provides more explanation.
Renewable Energy Systems Used in Net-Zero Homes
In most cases, achieving net-zero requires at least one on-site renewable energy system. The most popular are solar and geothermal heat pumps.
Solar Panels for Net-Zero Homes
Solar is the most common option for producing energy and achieving NZE status. Panels can be mounted onto the roof or ground, and convert sunlight to electricity. An inverter will convert this DC into AC electricity, which can be used to power appliances in the house. Battery storage will also allow homeowners to store energy for later use and send excess back to the grid.
Geothermal (Ground-Source) Heat Pumps
Geothermal heat pumps offer incredible efficiency by using underground temperatures to heat and cool a home. No matter what climate you live in, the temperature of the earth at 6-10 feet remains remarkably consistent. Also known as ground-source heat pumps, this is the most efficient HVAC technology available for a home.
How Net-Zero Homes Reduce Energy Demand
Net-Zero Energy homes use a combination of at least one renewable energy source plus several efficient building strategies and systems. Focusing on reducing energy in a home makes it easier to reach net-zero. There are a number of ways you and your homebuilder can do this:
- Ventilation. HRVs (Heat Recovery Ventilators) allow homes to retain their heat, using fresh air from outdoors.
- Windows & Doors. Triple-glazed windows with special coatings and durable door frames prevent air from escaping and reduce the need for heating and cooling.
- Appliances. The total energy load of a home can be dramatically reduced with energy efficient appliances, specifically ones that are ENERGY STAR certified.
- Insulation & Sealing. Improving the airtightness of a home can significantly reduce heat loss. With hot or cool air unable to escape, efficiency soars.
- Smart Home Tech. There is plenty of smart home tech on the market that allows homeowners to monitor and adjust their energy usage in real time.
- Efficient Roofs. Certain roofing materials (like metal) have reflective properties, which reduce heat absorption and therefore the need for cooling.
Consult with Horizon Pacific Contracting to learn more about building your net-zero custom home.
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