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Stories Tagged - Net zero
News
April 21, 2016 | Barb Livingstone
Tesla of homebuilding
Net-zero homes teetering between niche and mainstream, say experts
A net-zero home may soon become the Tesla of modern homebuilding.
Avalon Master Builder president Ryan Scott – whose company, in 2008, built its first of three net-zero houses in partnership with SAIT – said while consumer demand for green housing technologies is growing, there is still a ways to go before they become mainstream, given the added price tag.
"A certain number of people will put their money where their mouth is and buy a net-zero home (homes that produce as much energy as they use), just as they do for a Tesla (electric car that used to start at about $75,000 US)."
A net-zero home may soon become the Tesla of modern homebuilding.
Avalon Master Builder president Ryan Scott – whose company, in 2008, built its first of three net-zero houses in partnership with SAIT – said while consumer demand for green housing technologies is growing, there is still a ways to go before they become mainstream, given the added price tag.
"A certain number of people will put their money where their mouth is and buy a net-zero home (homes that produce as much energy as they use), just as they do for a Tesla (electric car that used to start at about $75,000 US)."
News
April 21, 2016 | Joel Schlesinger
Clean living
A green revolution is underway as more Calgarians seek to reduce their carbon footprint with increasingly energy-efficient homes
No one can accuse Chris Stevenson of being all talk and no action when it comes to living green. The 51-year-old Calgarian is walking the walk when it comes to reducing his carbon footprint.
So much so he built his own net-zero home – that is, one that generates as much energy from renewables, such as solar panels, as it consumes.
"I like to do things right, and I'm cheap: I didn't want to be paying a lot for utilities," joked Stevenson, who, until recently, made a living investing in real estate.
No one can accuse Chris Stevenson of being all talk and no action when it comes to living green. The 51-year-old Calgarian is walking the walk when it comes to reducing his carbon footprint.
So much so he built his own net-zero home – that is, one that generates as much energy from renewables, such as solar panels, as it consumes.
"I like to do things right, and I'm cheap: I didn't want to be paying a lot for utilities," joked Stevenson, who, until recently, made a living investing in real estate.
News
Dec. 06, 2015 | Cody Stuart
Zero sum
Mattamy Homes opens first Calgary net-zero home
Even though it's nearly winter, Calgary just got a little greener.
Mattamy Homes, North America's largest privately owned homebuilder, has opened its first net- zero home in the city.
The first of five such homes set to be added to the northeast community of Cityscape are part of a national project that will double the number of net-zero homes – energy-efficient residences that generate as much energy as they consume on an annual basis – in Canada.
Even though it's nearly winter, Calgary just got a little greener.
Mattamy Homes, North America's largest privately owned homebuilder, has opened its first net- zero home in the city.
The first of five such homes set to be added to the northeast community of Cityscape are part of a national project that will double the number of net-zero homes – energy-efficient residences that generate as much energy as they consume on an annual basis – in Canada.
News
Sept. 08, 2015 | Tyler Difley
Green is the new black
Features holding their own in resale
At first glance, Paula McGarrigle's Marda Loop home looks rather ordinary — a beautiful craftsman-style house not unlike many others throughout the city.
In this case, looks are deceiving. Beneath its unassuming exterior, the home contains an assortment of features designed to make it as energy efficient and green as possible. On the EnerGuide 0-100 scale, which measures a home's energy performance, McGarrigle's home has a rating of 86.
"People are quite stunned that it's an energy-efficient home," McGarrigle said. "It looks like it's been here for 100 years."
Green homes like McGarrigle's are increasingly common in Calgary and across the country. Their popularity has surged as sustainable technologies – from simple energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs to complex mechanical systems and renewable energy sources – have become less expensive and homebuyers become more concerned with their environmental footprints.
At first glance, Paula McGarrigle's Marda Loop home looks rather ordinary — a beautiful craftsman-style house not unlike many others throughout the city.
In this case, looks are deceiving. Beneath its unassuming exterior, the home contains an assortment of features designed to make it as energy efficient and green as possible. On the EnerGuide 0-100 scale, which measures a home's energy performance, McGarrigle's home has a rating of 86.
"People are quite stunned that it's an energy-efficient home," McGarrigle said. "It looks like it's been here for 100 years."
Green homes like McGarrigle's are increasingly common in Calgary and across the country. Their popularity has surged as sustainable technologies – from simple energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs to complex mechanical systems and renewable energy sources – have become less expensive and homebuyers become more concerned with their environmental footprints.
