Buyers Guide to Net-Zero & Passive Homes
For some of us, the thought of moving into an existing home feels limiting. The structure’s shape and layout have been predetermined. Space isn’t well utilized and doesn’t offer privacy. The details don’t necessarily reflect our aesthetic nor make us feel at home. And the lack of technology and energy efficiency creates anxiety about the future and the need for multiple upgrades.
Thankfully, there’s an easy solution that resolves all of these issues and more! At Lincoln Construction, we not only build custom homes that suit a wide range of needs but we also often suggest that our clients consider the advantages of hiring us to build a net-zero or passive home for them.
By choosing an eco-friendly building style, not only will you save money, be more comfortable, and increase your resale value, but you’ll also be taking an important step in helping to heal our planet.
We realize that for many, this is the first time you’ve heard either of these terms. We also know that you’re likely overwhelmed with options and might need some guidance.
That’s why we’ve written this handy guide to teach you all about net-zero & passive homes including their advantages, our top 5 favourite examples, and the steps you’ll need to take to get the process started.
First of all, let’s talk about what net-zero & passive homes are and the major benefits of each.
What is a passive home?
With the move towards sustainable building practices, passive home building is making waves in the construction industry. The term ‘passive house’ refers to the construction methods that are implemented when building a home versus an actual brand name. In short, a passive home is energy efficient, comfortable, affordable, and ecological; producing low operating emissions in comparison to the average structure.
Passive homes focus on using passive measures, rather than active methods (floor heating, fireplace, air conditioning) of heating and cooling spaces. In simpler terms, this means insulating well, ensuring no air leakage, and utilizing passive sources of heat such as the sun, body heat, and heat generated by household appliances.
There’s also the significant positive environmental impact building and living in a passive home can make. A recent study suggests that passive homes can avoid up to 128 tons of carbon emissions when compared to a regular home over 20 years. That’s actually as much as 14 homes would produce during the same time frame!
In order to be considered a passive home, you must follow a specific set of science-design principles which include many items, including the following main ones:
Complete insulation throughout the home without any thermal bridging
An air-tight design that completely prevents any outside air from getting in and the prevention of any conditioned air from getting out
The usage of either double or triple-paned windows and doors (depending on the location and climate) which allows for the home to use both the sun’s energy for heating in the winter and avoid overheating of the home during the summer
Implementation of a ventilation system that balances heat and moisture
Utilization of a minimal space conditioning system
Benefits of a Passive Home
Although there are countless benefits of a passive home, the main benefits of building and living in one include improved air quality, temperature distribution that is consistent, reduced sound transmission, and a big plus for homeowners, building and living in a passive home leads to reduced heating and cooling costs. This something we can all appreciate!
Passive homes are also revered for their:
Thermal comfort - well-insulated buildings, frames, and triple insulated windows means that the good heat stays in during the winter and the unpleasant heat stays out during the summer
Quality - when insulation is applied consistently throughout the home, the chances of there being weak spots and moisture build-up is significantly, if not completely reduced.
Affordability - the additional costs spent with the high-quality build are often alleviated by the considerable costs saved from eliminating traditional heating and cooling methods
Sound insulation - many passive homeowners have described walking inside and closing their doors to be very much like walking into an airlock. This is great news for those of you that have neighbours close by and want to be considerate, yet fully enjoy your home
Are you a visual learner? Check out this sixty second video from the City of Vancouver website that explains very simply “What is a Passive House?”
By building a passive structure, you will not only get to enjoy a comfortable and energy and cost-efficient home, but you will also have a sustainable dwelling that’s more likely to produce as much energy as is consumed - or in other terms, will be able to be considered a net-zero home. This is the next topic we’ll review in this handy guide
What is a net-zero home?
Having a net-zero home not only means that the home produces as much energy as is consumed. Net-Zero homes also utilize energy-efficient products, sustainable structures, and on-site energy generation (such as solar or wind) which offsets their energy consumption.
Net-Zero homes will also need to meet a number of specifications in order to be certified, the typical one being EnergyStar here in Canada. We’ve summarized some of the major specifications below:
Thermal enclosure - this means tightly sealing your home to avoid any leaks or drafts which can be a drain on energy
Water management - this not only protects your home from water damage but also increases your indoor air quality - so that everyone is breathing the best air they possibly can
HVAC quality installation - this helps to keep energy use down for heating, cooling, and ventilation
Energy efficient appliances and fixtures - having energy efficient appliances and fixtures installed throughout the home ensures that the homes carbon emission output is small in comparison to your traditional structure
High performance windows - double, triple, or even quadruple-paned windows help to improve thermal performance, reduce heat-loss and interior condensation
Solar Panels - these are used to produce renewable energy for lighting, heating, and cooling systems, along with hot water and appliances
At Lincoln Construction, we are proud to offer diverse options for building high-efficient homes. You may be thinking about ways to increase the energy efficiency of your home, without fully committing to a passive home build which is definitely possible!
You can have a passive home without being net-zero or a net-zero home without it being passive. The two home types are fully interchangeable depending on your budget and other important factors. For example, there are many ways to reduce your energy consumption such as energy-efficient appliances and reduction of heat loss through building envelope improvements that would ensure your home is net-zero, without having to actually build a fully passive structure.
Benefits of a Net-Zero Home
As with passive homes, the benefits of building and living in a net-zero home are countless, but the main benefits typically include the following:
Financial incentives - there are a number of green building financial incentives available to those who choose to build or live in a net-zero home making building or living in a net-zero home a wallet-friendly investment
Superior insulation quality - as we saw with passive homes, net-zero homes also facilitate keeping the warm air in during the winter and keeping it out during the summer, ensuring that your entire family is comfortable no matter what climate you live in
Lower energy bills - this one is obvious, but definitely worth noting as with our current economic situation, having a lower monthly energy bill becomes something to celebrate
Higher resale value - net-zero homes are and will continue to be trending - your investment will be very attractive to prospective buyers that didn’t want to undergo the process themselves but want to reap the financial and ecological benefits of living in one
Ecological - we’re all looking for ways to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and building or living in a net-zero home is definitely a great way to do so - you have to start where you can
Now that we’ve discussed the definitions of both net-zero and passive homes, as well as their advantages, let’s take a look at some real-world examples!
The following are our top 5 favourite net-zero and passive home designs. We hope that one or more of them will further peak your interest.
Our Top 5 Net-Zero & Passive Home Designs for 2020
#1. Canmore East by Passive Design
This 2250 sq. ft, 3-bedroom home is an excellent example of how luxurious and modern passive homes can be. With an annual heating cost of only $390, the owners were able to incorporate luxury features without having to bear the extra costs. We especially love the deep window-sills, lake-view balcony, floating steel staircase, and wood post and beam framing.
Referred to as the “tesla of passive homes” this Calgary, Alberta passive house is so energy-efficient that it doesn’t even have a furnace. It instead uses an 8-kilowatt solar system on the roof to keep the house warm and provide power to virtually every aspect of the structure. At just over 2400 sq. ft, this home features solid wood walls, floors that feel toasty (even though they’re not heated), and giant windows that let the solar heat stream in. I don’t know about you, but after checking this one out, we were sold!
#3. Deltec’s Balsam
This mountain cabin-inspired home from Deltec of North Carolina is a net-zero option that also incorporates a passive solar design! Boasting an annual energy savings of $1.3k, it’s easy to fall in love with this charming structure. We especially love the covered front porch, fresh air ventilation, and the option between energy or double studded wall. We also appreciate that it’s a hurricane-resistant design, which goes to show that energy-efficiency does not mean that the structure will be weaker than your regular home.
#4 - The Zero Home by Vivint and Garbett
Utah’s first net-zero home, this magnificent design by Vivint and Garbett is sure to please. We especially like all the high-tech features including remote climate control, wireless home security, and home features automation. But what really blew us away about this particular design is the energy analytics that monitors the energy consumption in and out of the home and allows the residents to know how much energy they’re consuming in real-time - allowing them to make small lifestyle changes that will ultimately impact their carbon emissions footprint.
#5 - Costello’s Copper Pass Apartments
Our final example is South Dakota's first passive home, designed as a multi-family apartment building for low-income residents. What struck us as particularly memorable about this passive home is how it uses the local climate and conditions to keep all its residents happy, healthy, and comfortable while minimizing their costs. The residents of the one, two, and three-bedroom apartments are proud to live in a building that not only provides better air quality and a comfortable year-round temperature, but also a building that’s helping to make their planet a healthier place to live.
Get Started Building a Net-Zero or Passive Home
Now that you know a bit more about net-zero and passive homes and have seen some real-world examples that have probably got you excited, the next step in the process is to find a net-zero or passive home builder.
The team at Lincoln Construction builds beautiful custom homes and commercial buildings, including net-zero and passive homes, servicing the Sunshine Coast, BC as well as providing remote builds to some of the surrounding islands. When you work with us, you’ll get a team of dedicated individuals with a collective vision of quality construction and high-performance building practices. We have a love of the innovative, the unique, and of course, the net-zero or passive home.
We’d absolutely love to be considered as an option in your search for a custom home builder and would be happy to discuss your options with you through our free, no-obligation, consultation. Please reach out to us today and we look forward to working with you!