CHBA Net Zero Webinars

Learn About the Growing Demand for EV Chargers in New Homes

December 7, 2023

Shannon Bertuzzi
Director of Builder Markets,
Reliance Home Comfort 

Tyler Corso
Product Manager,
Reliance Home Comfort

Understanding the Challenges of Electrifying Heating Loads: A Case Study for Builders

November 7, 2023

Paul Chernikhowsky
Director of Technical Risk and Governance
FortisBC 

David Bailey
Manager, Customer and Energy Forecasting
FortisBC 

Heat Pumps: A More Efficient and Healthier Solution

September 13, 2023

Click here for the webinar recording and slide deck

Home construction techniques have seen some impressive advancements in recent years to the building envelope as we strive for greater energy efficiency. Yet most builders haven’t made big changes to the mechanical systems they’re installing. Point in case: the most used thermal appliance has a coefficiency of performance of less than 1. 

This webinar will explore the energy efficiency gains that heat pumps provide (3-5 times more efficient than conventional systems), as well as the air quality (no risk of carbon monoxide) and comfort (discharge air temperature is variable) benefits for the occupants. Webinar participants will also learn about pairing a hydronic coil and a heat pump air handler run off the water heater, which allows a dwelling to reduce the amount of fossil fuel appliances and thus the carbon footprint. 

Presented by: 

Clive Carr  Residential Sales Manager, HVAC Product Sales, Mitsubishi Electric Sales Canada Inc. Having started his journey in electronic engineering with Mitsubishi Electric's consumer division, Clive spent several years supporting the consumer audio and video division. With a passion for learning, he furthered his studies in HVAC refrigeration at Humber College, which led to a shift in his career. Since then, he has been working in the HVAC division, where he has gained experience in field support, product development and national training programs. Clive currently works in the residential sales HVAC division, where he serves as a valuable asset. Driven by the love for technology and its contribution to resilience against climate change, he has been involved in promoting awareness and acceptance of HP technology. He has played an instrumental role in delivering Mitsubishi Electric's contribution to climate change resilience. In the industry, Clive has supported several programs, including net-zero housing demonstration, TRCA STEP, and NRCAN's CanMet Energy's evaluation of new energy-efficient technology for the residential housing sector. With his expertise, he has helped shape the future of sustainable energy in Canada.

Enbridge Sustain: How Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) delivers low carbon solutions 

June 14, 2023

Click here for the webinar recording and slide deck 

What is Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) and how can it help deliver low carbon solutions? Enbridge Sustain will present their newly launched EaaS line of business which aims to help homeowners, developers and commercial customers reduce their greenhouse gas emissions through the design, installation, maintenance, and energy reporting of dependable and convenient energy solutions. With offerings including geothermal heating, solar photovoltaic, hybrid heating and electric vehicle chargers, Enbridge Sustain manages the end-to-end delivery of solutions at no upfront cost to customers. Join us for this webinar to learn more about the various solutions offered, project eligibility, and how Enbridge Sustain can serve your next project's energy needs. 

Presented by:

Derek Hickson, P.eng, Product Development Specialist, Enbridge Sustain  Derek Hickson has over 15 years’ experience delivering low carbon solutions to residential and commercial markets. He works with developers to identify solutions that meet their business goals and provide value to their customers. He has technical expertise in solar photovoltaics, heat pumps, geothermal energy solutions, and net zero energy design.

Cost-Effective Net Zero Achieved Through Collaboration: A Success Story

May 17, 2023

Click here for the webinar recording and slide deck 

Net Zero construction is a crucial step towards reducing our carbon footprint and creating more sustainable communities. However, achieving Net Zero performance requires a collaborative effort from all parties involved. Join us for an informative webinar as we discuss the importance of collaboration in achieving Net Zero cost-effectively, and the role played by each partner. 

In this webinar, you will learn about the successful collaboration between Cedarglen Homes, SAIT, 4Elements, and Owens Corning Insulation in building a CHBA Qualified Net Zero Home. The Cedarglen Home was equipped with increased insulation and high-performance HVAC systems to achieve Net Zero. The construction team faced several challenges during the project, but their commitment to using higher quality insulation materials paid off in the end, and the home received an EnerGuide rating of 0, indicating that it generates as much energy as it consumes on an annual basis. 

Our panel of experts will share their insights and experiences in achieving Net Zero, including: 

• The importance of collaboration 
• The role played by each partner 
• The benefits of using high-quality insulation materials 
• The challenges faced during the project and how they were overcome 
• The economic and environmental benefits of Net Zero 

Presented by:

Learn About the Growing Demand for EV Chargers in New Homes

December 15, 2022

Shannon Bertuzzi
Director of Builder Markets,
Reliance Home Comfort 

Tyler Corso
Product Manager, B2B Channels,
Reliance Home Comfort

New Indoor Air Quality Requirements for Net Zero Program

November 21, 2022

Click here for the webinar recording and slide deck 

The Net Zero Home Labelling Program will launch it’s Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Picklist in 2023. The new technical criteria will help promote better IAQ and will help builders to achieve one our key brand promises: exceptional indoor air quality for healthier living. Join us to learn about the IAQ Picklist, when it will become effective, and how your Net Zero and Net Zero Ready Homes can comply with the new requirements. The new IAQ requirements will be completed voluntarily by builders in 2023 and will become mandatory for labelling in 2024. 

Presented by: 

Brett Cass, Technical Manager, Net Zero Energy Housing, CHBA  Brett has a B.A. in Environmental Science with a Minor in Business from Robert Morris University (Pittsburgh, PA). After graduation he began his career in the renewable energy industry as a renewable energy system designer. Brett continues to develop his education in green building practises and energy management; he has his accreditation as a LEED Green Associate from the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) and is also certified as an Energy Manager in Training (EMIT), soon to be a Certified Energy Manager (CEM), through the Association of Energy Engineers.   Carl Pawlowski, Senior Manager, Sustainability, Minto Communities  Carl has a decade of experience leading the sustainability strategy across low, mid and high-rise communities within the GTA. Carl is dedicated to creating better places for people to call home by making them more efficient, comfortable, healthier, and more resilient. Current noteworthy projects include Minto Communities’ first high-rise geoexchange system at our North Oak community in Oakville as well as our first Net Zero homes within the GTA at our Union Village community in Markham. Carl’s passion comes from a love for the outdoors, wildlife, and doing my part to mitigate the impact of climate change for my son and daughter - so that they can continue to enjoy and respect the natural world and appreciate the immense value that it provides humanity.    Derek Satnik, Vice President of Technologies, s2e Technologies Developments Inc.  Derek has made significant contributions to many of Canada’s best practice programs for sustainable building, including ENERGY STAR, LEED, BUILT GREEN, Solar Ready, and Net-Zero. Derek’s projects have included over 40 million square feet of improved buildings, and many industry firsts. Projects and programs which Derek has helped lead are responsible for over $500 billion worth of activity in the clean economy, and in his words, are only just the start of what is needed. Derek is proud to be working with FCM to provide lessons and tools to Canada’s municipalities, and is looking forward to how this latest work will enable municipalities to better enable wide-spread pursuit of net-zero energy.

How an Exterior Renovation Became a Major Retrofit for Burtch Estate

November 17, 2022

Click here for the webinar recording and slide deck 

During this webinar, FortisBC’s team of experts, along with members of the strata council and the project management company, will discuss how a real-life example of how an exterior renovation project turned into a major retrofit and why leveraging utilities rebates plays a key role in making these upgrades more attainable. Also, we will learn about Deep Energy Retrofits and the role different stakeholders play in a Deep Energy Retrofit project and how to overcome some critical challenges.

Presented by: 

Shifting to Net Zero and Net Zero Ready at Scale

July 14, 2022

Click here for the webinar recording and slide deck 

According to the CHBA National 2021 Home Buyer Preference Study, the top 3 overall “Must Have” home features identified by recent homebuyers are 1) high-efficiency windows, 2) energy-efficient appliances, and 3) an overall energy-efficient home. Additionally, 523 Canadian governments have declared a Climate Emergency, representing 99.56% of the population . These governments are now driving climate action, including the reduction of emissions from homes. The industry is now under more pressure to meet these expectations than ever before.

This webinar focuses on how builders can meet these expectations by providing a path to Net Zero/Ready on a production scale without compromising construction schedules or increasing costs. In this webinar we’ll discuss:

• Differences between Net Zero Ready and the performance of homes currently in the marketplace
• Solutions to air tightness challenges found in the industry
• A deep dive into our learnings from full net zero production sites 
• A comparison of AeroBarrier’s software results and final blower door test results

Presented by: 

Brian Cooke, Sales & Marketing Manager, AeroBarrier Canada Brian holds a degree in Commerce from McMaster University. He brings over a decade of experience in sales and marketing.  He also brings unparalleled energy and enthusiasm for business and customer service.  Since the launch of AeroBarrier technology in 2018, Brian has worked towards growing awareness of the benefits and importance of airtight construction, and its role in our climate change goals as an industry. [email protected] 519-489-2541 https://airsealingpros.ca

Healthy Homes: The ‘New’ Must-Haves for Homeowners

June 16, 2022

Click here for the webinar recording and slide deck 

Indoor air is 2-5x more polluted than outdoor air, which can lead to serious health risks. Since today’s high-performance homes let in significantly less fresh air than older, less efficient homes, these health risks are increasing. Which is why the CHBA Net Zero Home Labelling Program requires mechanical ventilation in all the homes. This webinar focuses on how builders can meet homeowner expectations by providing a healthy living environment without compromising other “must-haves.” Hear from CHBA Qualified Net Zero Energy Advisor Jack Zhou whose passion for delivering healthy and energy efficient homes is his life’s mission.  

In this webinar, we’ll: 

• Bust misconceptions that hold builders back from building homes with the healthiest indoor environment possible. 
• Introduce Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) solutions powered by Panasonic’s revolutionary new cleaning technologies and award-winning smart controls. 
• Demonstrate how Panasonic solutions work together to enhance performance and how they fit into the new CHBA Net Zero Home Labelling Program IAQ Picklist. 

Come away from this webinar with: 

• Insights on how to powerfully communicate the benefits of IAQ solutions to homeowners. 
• An understanding of how your next CHBA Net Zero/Ready Home can meet the new IAQ Picklist requirements. 
• Peace of mind knowing that the solutions you install will help homeowners live, feel and breathe well. 
  
  Eligible webinar participants will be invited to join Panasonic’s Breathe Well Builder or Contractor program. (Builders, developers, renovators, distributors, and contractors are eligible now; details to come if you are an EA.) 

Presented by: 

Sonny Pirrotta, National Sales Manager- HVAC Solutions, Life and Devices Solutions Division, Panasonic Canada Inc. Sonny is the National Sales Manager for Panasonic’s HVAC/IAQ solutions business. He has over 15 years of HVAC industry experience and has experience as a Contractor, Distributor and now a Manufacturer. Sonny has a passion and drive to help his team inform, offer and educate Builders, Developers, Designers and contractors on better building practices and methods to improve IAQ and Energy efficiency in new and existing homes.   Sarah Margolius, Business Development Manager, IAQ, Life and Devices Solutions Division, Panasonic Canada Inc.  Sarah outgrew childhood asthma but never forgot what it felt like to struggle for breath. As Panasonic’s Business Developer Manager, IAQ, Sarah develops new business opportunities within the homebuilding industry, and deepens strategic relationships to accelerate conversations and action on this pressing issue. She has managed climate, energy, sustainability and marketing initiatives including with EnerQuality, a leader in high performance homebuilding, and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s Partners in Project Green. Sarah is a certified Project Manager (PMP) and facilitator.    Jack Zhou, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, A&J Energy Consultants  With a background in building science, Jack has worked in low-rise residential construction since 2004. Early in his career, Jack worked as a framer, insulator, drywaller, installed Hi-Velocity ductwork, and performed energy simulation. He later earned the HRAI Residential Air System Design Technician and Residential Hydronics Design Technician Designation and started designing HVAC systems and performing energy audits for existing homes. Jack teaches energy-efficient housing techniques through both private and public sector organizations, colleges and universities in Ontario, British Columbia, the Republic of China, and South Korea. He also works as a Technical Committee member for the Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA), EnerQuality Corp, Natural Resources Canada ENERGY STAR® for New Homes Standard, and Canadian Association of Consulting Energy Advisors.

Heat Pumps: A More Efficient and Healthier Solution

April 7, 2022

Click here for the webinar recording and slide deck 

Home construction techniques have seen some impressive advancements in recent years to the building envelope as we strive for greater energy efficiency. Yet most builders haven’t made big changes to the mechanical systems they’re installing. Point in case: the most used thermal appliance has a coefficiency of performance of less than 1. 

This webinar will explore the energy efficiency gains that heat pumps provide (3-5 times more efficient than conventional systems), as well as the air quality (no risk of carbon monoxide) and comfort (discharge air temperature is variable) benefits for the occupants. Webinar participants will also learn about pairing a hydronic coil and a heat pump air handler run off the water heater, which allows a dwelling to reduce the amount of fossil fuel appliances and thus the carbon footprint.

Presented by: 

Steven Cornelius Residential Products Business Development Manager, Mitsubishi Electric Sales Canada Inc. As an experienced business manager specializing in the Air to Air Heat Pump solutions, Steven has a passion for efficient, environmentally responsible HVAC solutions. Currently managing the residential and light commercial business operation in Ontario, supporting a distribution network and the AEC industry.  He works with all stakeholders as the industry strategizes to meet GHG reduction targets in Canada. Understanding cold climate heat pump technologies and its advantages over conventional heating systems, will be crucial for the future of the built environment.

Insulation and radon gas control solutions for comfortable, durable and healthier basement living areas

February 10, 2022

Click here for the webinar recording and slide deck 

With more people working from home and having kids attending remote school from home, having a home office or other livable space in the basement has become a bigger priority for many households. Join us for this webinar to learn how you can unlock the potential of an added living space that is healthier, safe, comfortable, durable, and also minimizes radon ingress. Come learn about Owens Corning’s innovative next generation Fiberglas and Foam insulations made with 100% wind powered electricity and our Foamular Radon abatement system.

Presented by: 

Salvatore D. Ciarlo, P Eng. Technical Services and Building Enclosures Director, Owens Corning Canada   Sal is responsible for the design, certification, and commercialization of complete building enclosure systems for the commercial, industrial and residential building construction markets. As a civil engineer with more than 26 years of experience in the construction industry, he specializes in high performance and net zero building envelope designs, acoustic and fire separation systems, and solutions.  Sal is very active on Provincial and National Code committees.  He has presented educational seminars to architects, engineering professionals and builders across the country, focusing on next generation building envelope solutions and designs, net zero envelopes, air barrier systems, noise control and fire protection systems.

New Study Results on Embodied Carbon in Materials

January 19, 2022

Click here for the webinar recording and slide deck 

During the 2020 Net Zero Leadership Summit last year, Chris Magwood, Executive Director at The Endeavour Centre & Builders for Climate Action, provided a very informative presentation on the work he has been doing on the impact of embodied carbon in materials. His presentation was so well received that we invited him back to provide an update on his work during the 2021 Summit, specifically the results of a new study that he completed for NRCan this year. Chris was unable to make the Summit, but he's delivering the information during this special online session. 

Join us to learn about the main takeaways from this study, including what the material carbon emissions “range” is, how the material carbon emissions could be brought to zero or even be negative (net carbon storing) using conventional, code-compliant materials, and how reducing material emissions by one "tier" has a much larger impact on overall emissions than increasing energy efficiency by one tier in the NBC. This will be a 45 minute session followed by a 15 minute Q&A period.

Presented by: 

Chris Magwood Executive Director at The Endeavour Centre & Builders for Climate Action   Chris is obsessed with making the best, most energy efficient, carbon sequestering, healthy, beautiful and inspiring buildings. He is currently the executive director of The Endeavour Centre, a not-for-profit sustainable building school in Peterborough, Ontario. The school runs two full-time, certificate programs: Sustainable New Construction and Sustainable Renovations and hosts dozens of hand-on workshops annually. In 2019, he helped to establish Builders for Climate Action, which will be rolling out a set of tools to help designers and builders reverse climate change with their buildings. Chris has authored seven books on sustainable building, including Essential Sustainable Home Design (2017). He is co-editor of the Sustainable Building Essentials series from New Society Publishers, and recently, he contributed a chapter to the book The New Carbon Architecture. In 1998 he co-founded Camel’s Back Construction, and over eight years helped to design and/or build more than 30 homes and commercial buildings, mostly with straw bales and often with renewable energy systems. Chris has completed an MA at Trent University. His thesis, Opportunities for Carbon Removal and Storage in Building Materials which was published in the fall of 2019. Chris is an active speaker and workshop instructor in Canada and internationally.

Turning basements into valuable, comfortable, healthy, and safe living areas

October 6 2021

Click here for the webinar recording and slide deck 

With more people working from home and having kids attending remote school from home, having a home office or other livable space in the basement has become a bigger priority for many households. Join us for this webinar to learn how you can unlock the potential of an added living space that is healthier, safe, comfortable, durable, and also minimizes radon ingress.

Presented by: 

Salvatore D. Ciarlo, P Eng. Technical Services and Building Enclosures Director, Owens Corning Canada   Sal is responsible for the design, certification, and commercialization of complete building enclosure systems for the commercial, industrial and residential building construction markets. As a civil engineer with more than 26 years of experience in the construction industry, he specializes in high performance and net zero building envelope designs, acoustic and fire separation systems, and solutions.  Sal is very active on Provincial and National Code committees.  He has presented educational seminars to architects, engineering professionals and builders across the country, focusing on next generation building envelope solutions and designs, net zero envelopes, air barrier systems, noise control and fire protection systems.

Building Industry Seminar: The Science of Building Better Basements  (Hosted by buildABILITY)
November 4 from 1:00-5:00 ET

CHBA Members: You must be logged in to see the registration link below.

Delivered exclusively for CHBA members, this seminar builds on the October 6th CHBA webinar, going more in depth into the topic. Attendance is limited to the first 30 participants. A wait list will be maintained with the possibility of an additional session to be offered later in the month.

More and more homebuyers expect their basements to provide the same level of comfort, liveability, and moisture control as above grade spaces. Homebuyers won’t accept the damp, cold, wet, mouldy basements of the past. For smart builders, this seminar presents an opportunity to perfect their craft and to deliver the high performing living space that their home buyers demand. This seminar will identify key areas to enhance basement performance, introduce best practices to understand materials, components, and systems and how they work together and ultimately to provide a better basement. The seminar will also highlight the importance of radon control which is the key to healthy and safe lower living areas where people will be spending more time as they work from home and turn their basements into valuable additional living spaces. 

This workshop will be led by Michael Lio, buildABILITY Corporation and focusing on: 

• Understanding the science of how basements work
• Discussing the poor practices that impair basement performance  
• Describing basement construction best practices that improve basement performance 
• Describing alternative approaches through case studies   

Learn more here. 

This session is generously provided by:

buildABILITY Corp.	CHBA’s Net Zero Council Silver Sponsor Owens Corning

Affordable Energy Solutions for New Net Zero Homes 

September 23 2021

Click here for the webinar recording and slide deck 

There are many energy options for new Net Zero Homes, which can leave a builder wondering which option is the best for their project and, more importantly, is the Net Zero option affordable?  In this webinar, Jeff Salazar of Enbridge Gas will speak to how a Net Zero Home can be built cost-effectively by combining solar, hybrid heating, geothermal and natural gas solutions. In addition, Jeff will speak to how combining these energy sources provides long-term flexibility to the homeowner and how builders can easily include these options within their building permit applications - a win-win-win solution.

Join Jeff and CHBA Director of Net Zero Energy Housing Sonja Winkelmann (moderator) on September 23 to learn more about the innovative energy solution combinations for your new Net Zero Home projects.

Presented by: 

		Jeff Salazar, Geothermal Specialist, Enbridge Gas Jeff Salazar is a Geothermal Specialist with Enbridge Gas and part of a broader Business Development team working on low carbon heating solutions for residential and commercial applications.  He provides technical and operational insight from over 20 years’ experience in the HVAC sector.  Jeff is a certified Geothermal designer and installer who holds multiple trade certifications in various disciplines.

Using Diversified Pathways to Reach GHG Reduction Targets

August 26, 2021

Click here for the webinar recording and slide deck 

In 2019, FortisBC commissioned Guidehouse, a well-regarded consultancy with expertise in both energy and environmental issues, to study how a diversified pathway that utilizes natural gas and electric systems could perform using many of the actions Fortis BC is taking today to pursue their 30BY30 target (to reduce their customers' emissions by 30% by 2030). These actions include:

• Investing in low carbon transportation
• Increasing the supply of Renewable Gas for Fortis BC customers
• Greater investment in energy efficiency programs and initiatives

Join CHBA Director of Net Zero Energy Housing Sonja Winkelmann and Ben Nishi, Regional Energy Solutions Manager at FortisBC, as they explore the Pathways to 2050 Report, and show how a pathway of diversified energy systems can achieve BC’s 2050 GHG emissions target.

Presented by: 

		Benjamin Nishi, Regional Energy Solutions Manager, Fortis BC Ben Nishi is the Regional Energy Solutions Manager with FortisBC. Ben and his team work with builders, developers, and home and business owners when they are building or retrofitting their buildings and this includes new technology, financial mechanism, or energy efficiency incentives.

How do the CHBA Net Zero Homes measure up to NBC Tier 5?

May 20, 2021

Click here for the webinar recording and slide deck

Canada is on the path to advancing its energy codes in residential construction. The 2020 National Building Code (NBC) will support higher degrees of energy performance in homes through a tiered energy code with the most stringent tier intending to approximate to ‘Net Zero Energy Ready.’
With a dataset of over 500 Net Zero and Net Zero Ready labelled homes across the country, the CHBA has performed a detailed analysis comparing these homes to the proposed Tier 5 metrics of the NBC. Join us for this webinar to learn how the CHBA Net Zero and Net Zero Ready Homes measure up, presented by:

		Brett Cass, Program Coordinator, Net Zero Energy Housing, CHBA Brett Cass has a B.A. in Environmental Science with a Minor in Business from Robert Morris University (Pittsburgh, PA). After graduation he began his career in the renewable energy industry as a renewable energy system designer. Brett continues to develop his education in green building practises and energy management; he has his accreditation as a LEED Green Associate from the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) and is also certified as an Energy Manager in Training (EMIT), soon to be a Certified Energy Manager (CEM), through the Association of Energy Engineers.
		Liz Wynder, Tech Advisor, Codes and Standards, CHBA Liz has over ten years of experience in sustainability, energy efficiency and building science, along with several years in home warranty in the UK providing technical advice to multiple stakeholders, interpreting and writing standards and assessing new building technologies. She has a Masters in Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering from Cambridge University. Liz has been a Technical Advisor in Codes and Standards at the Canadian Home Builders’ Association since early 2019 and represents the Association on the Standing Committee for Energy Efficiency, and various task groups related to that committee. Liz also brings expertise at translating complex ideas into plain English, writing code for clarity, and energy data analysis.

CHBA Net Zero Home Labelling Program: 2020 Year in Review

April 22, 2021

Click here for the webinar recording and slide deck

2020 was the CHBA Net Zero Home Labelling Program’s most impressive year yet, and this webinar gives an in-depth sneak peek into some of the most interesting findings from the 2020 Net Zero Home Labelling Program Summary Report, which is being released in May. Join Brett Cass, Program Coordinator, as he shares fun facts on the 520+ homes labelled in the program last year, including details on the technologies and building assemblies used, performance levels achieved, and particularly interesting details out of the analyzed data. Webinar participants will also take a detailed look at 4 unique Net Zero projects labelled this past year.  

• Learn about the impressive uptake of the Net Zero Home Labelling Program – both in the various housing forms and qualified participants  
• Understand how these homes are built and the performance levels they achieve 
• Get a sneak peek at the findings of the 2020 Net Zero Home Labelling Program Summary Report
• Uncover the construction details of four recently built Net Zero Projects 

Don’t miss this excellent webinar, with opportunity to ask questions, presented by:

Brett Cass, Program Coordinator, Net Zero Energy Housing, CHBA Brett Cass has a B.A. in Environmental Science with a Minor in Business from Robert Morris University (Pittsburgh, PA). After graduation he began his career in the renewable energy industry as a renewable energy system designer. Brett continues to develop his education in green building practises and energy management; he has his accreditation as a LEED Green Associate from the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) and is also certified as an Energy Manager in Training (EMIT), soon to be a Certified Energy Manager (CEM), through the Association of Energy Engineers.

Can existing housing get to Net Zero safely & affordably?
Net Zero Renovations: Lessons from the NRCan Pilot Project

March 24, 2021

Click here for webinar recordings and slide deck

Join this webinar to learn about the results and lessons learned from the NRCan funded Net Zero Renovation Pilot initiative - directly from those who shaped it and used it to safely renovate homes to Net Zero or Net Zero Ready. 
We’ll review the project achievements and hear from the Net Zero Renovators and Energy Advisors on which techniques and technologies they used to renovate the homes. You’ll also hear the homeowners’ motivations and testimonials as well as learn about the energy cost and GHG savings. 

CHBA Project Manager, Marie Hanchet, and Gary Sharp, former Director of the CHBA Canadian Renovator Council, will deliver presentations, then some of the project Renovators and Energy Advisors will join them for a panel conversation, including audience Q&A at the end. 

Don’t miss this excellent webinar, with opportunity to ask questions, presented by:

Discover the New Generation of Spray Foam

February 25, 2021

Click here for webinar recordings and slide deck

Building codes, product standards, and regulatory requirements are changing for spray foam. This webinar will examine the latest industry updates and how this impacts your projects. Join us to learn how spray foam’s innovative applications can make your upcoming project code compliant, energy efficient and green.

Join the webinar to: 
-  Gain knowledge on the new generation of spray foam using HFO blowing agents
-  Learn about the steps required for your upcoming new build project
-  Ensure you're using a certified installer to be code compliant
-  Uncover new applications of spray foam including WALLTITE CM01 as a radon barrier

Don’t miss this excellent webinar, with opportunity to ask questions, presented by:

Chris Janzen, Field Applications & Warranties Manager, PM North America, BASF Canada       Chris Janzen has been with BASF Canada for over 19 years covering various aspects of technical support, product development, market development, and customer training for the spray polyurethane foam business. His experience has brought him exposure to residential, commercial, and roofing applications in Canada and abroad. He has recently taken on the role as Field Application & Warranty Manager for BASF in North America and is co-chair for the Spray Foam Coalition’s Canada Work Group.

Ibrahim Huseen, Construction and Standards Regulations Specialist, BASF Canada Ibrahim Huseen is a Construction and Standards Regulations Specialist at BASF Canada. In his role, he focuses on national and provincial building codes and standards. Ibrahim provides engineering support for the polyurethane spray foam (SPF) business. He manages research and development of projects across North America. He also participates in ULC and ASTM standards developments. Prior to joining BASF, he worked as a building engineer consultant specializing in building science. Ibrahim has a Master of Civil Engineering with an emphasis on Construction Management from Concordia University.

10 Steps to PV: A Design-Build Guide for Builders

January, 27 2021

Click here for webinar recordings and slide deck

The newly released NRCan Planning and Decision Guide for Solar PV Systems offers an integrated design strategy to support builders to seamlessly integrate solar PV into their projects. Key solar design and installation challenges are explained and demystified. Design teams are guided through intentional steps clearly defining solar energy production goals, solar array placement and attachment methods, electrical and structural impacts, and technology choices in the design stage, avoiding common pitfalls and improving solar PV build integration. This ten-step guide provides a roadmap for builders on their path to installing renewable energy systems on their homes.

This dynamic interactive demonstration of the NRCan guide “in action” features a custom residential builder and solar PV consultant working through a real residential Net Zero design example. This presentation will show you how to work with a solar PV consultant and energy advisor to make decisions required to integrate solar into new homes. If you’d like to adopt solar PV with more confidence and clarity through design- build best practices that will improve project outcomes; this webinar is for you.

Don’t miss this excellent webinar, with opportunity to ask questions, presented by: 

Ben Giudici, P.Eng, Solar Consultant/Owner, Riverside Energy Systems Ben has worked in utility power systems, industrial control, and electronic instrumentation for 12 years with BC Hydro and 21 years as a Thompson Rivers University faculty member. He holds degrees in electrical engineering and is registered as a Professional Engineer in the province of BC. Ben is keenly interest in photovoltaics and high-performance buildings, and has been very active in solar PV systems design, installation, and training since joining Riverside Energy Systems as a director in 2009. He authored the Planning & Decision Guide for Solar PV Systems, recently released by Natural Resources Canada to support builders with integrating solar PV into residential construction.

Jonathan Zerkee, Builder/President, Sonbuilt Custom Homes Ltd. Jonathan’s passion for building high performance homes began in his early twenties when he started Sonbuilt Custom Homes in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia. For the past 25 years he has worked to establish Sonbuilt as an award-winning builder of quality healthy homes built right. Jonathan is past President of the Canadian Home Builders Association of the Fraser Valley and has served on the Development Advisory Committee in the City of Abbotsford. He is a founding builder member of the CHBA Net Zero Housing Council for Canada. Today he is considered a leader in the home building industry for his technical and practical experience constructing airtight, energy efficient homes.

Top 6 Net Zero Technical Challenges + BONUS Stump the Net Zero Chump  

October, 20 2020

Presented by Brett Cass of CHBA Learn what the latest technical challenges are for getting to Net Zero – including new homes, MURBs, and renos? Join us for this riveting presentation on current hot topics in the Net Zero space. Brett walks you through our top 6 picks including Hot2000 modelling, compartmentalization and occupant baseloads/plug loads – PLUS learn what we’re doing about them. Brett also provides some fun facts on the 400+ homes labelled in the program to-date, including details on the technologies and building assemblies used as well as the performance levels achieved. He’ll also tell you about a new project that will invite builder members to provide feedback on their experiences with energy efficiency requirements.

BONUS: Don’t miss your chance to “stump the Net Zero chump” during the 15-minute question and answer segment after the presentation. We have our resident Net Zero Heroes from the Management Committee, Technical Committee, MURB Project and Reno Working Group in attendance to answer all your questions!

Getting to Net Zero with Modular

October, 19 2020

The CHBA Net Zero Home Labelling Program Version 1.1 Update

January, 15 2020

How Municipalities Can Enable Net-Zero Construction
(A feasibility study in 4 cities over 8 sites, funded by FCM/GMF)

June,4 2019

This webinar features lessons from the trenches of real projects. Four cities partnered with FCM/GMF to assess 8 project sites for technical feasibility (how to build net-zero neighbourhoods in 8 cases), financial feasibility (ie: how to fund it), and process feasibility (ie: how to get a permit). The participating cities all hosted mock-trial approvals processes and reported all the lessons learned. This webinar will cover the outcomes. (Find the report here.)

Some key things that you’ll hear more about in this webinar:

• Technologies that enabled Net-Zero neighbourhood design in each of the 8 case studies;
• Policies that work for enabling solar and district energy;
• Incentives that are self-funding, which municipalities can actually afford, and which are actually helpful to builders.
• Template legislation enabling net-zero energy systems and incentives which municipalities can adapt and adopt right now – ready for implementation.

Derek Satnik, Vice President of Technology, Smart Communities, s2e Technologies Derek has made significant contributions to many of Canada’s best practice programs for sustainable building, including ENERGY STAR, LEED, BUILT GREEN, Solar Ready, and Net-Zero. Derek’s projects have included over 40 million square feet of improved buildings, and many industry firsts. Projects and programs which Derek has helped lead are responsible for over $500 billion worth of activity in the clean economy, and in his words, are only just the start of what is needed. Derek is proud to be working with FCM to provide lessons and tools to Canada’s municipalities, and is looking forward to how this latest work will enable municipalities to better enable wide-spread pursuit of net-zero energy.

High Performance Walls for Net Zero/Ready Homes Series

April, 2019 

Myths vs. Facts in Ventilation: Making the Right Choice for you and your customers

November, 22 2018 

• The science and history on why ventilation is important
• Why “leaky” houses have worse air quality than “tight” houses
• How to choose the right unit (HRV vs ERV, airflow, efficiency)
• The different installation options and their advantages
• Canadian testing requirements that ensure performance in our climate
• What home owners need to know about ventilation

Loïc Arès Technical Advisor – IAQ Venmar Ventilation ULC Loïc Arès is responsible for conducting and implementing Venmar Ventilation ULC initiatives supporting Indoor Air Quality project development. His role is to provide technical expertise on heat and energy recovery technologies, building code requirements and extensive applications. As a mechanical engineer with more than 12 years of experience in the ventilation industry, he was involved with product testing with Underwriters Laboratory (UL) for safety compliance and HVI for performance compliance. A member of the R&D team, he collaborated on the development of several heat recovery ventilator platforms and developed an in-depth understanding of their advantages and behaviors in all climates. Proud supporter of Indoor Air Quality, his first priority is to share his knowledge and help stakeholders to provide cost-effective solutions for the building community.		Gord Cooke President Building Knowledge Canada Gord is a sought-after presenter for his areas of expertise in applied building science, energy efficient housing initiatives, innovative HVAC systems, ventilation, and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). A professional engineer with more than 30 years of experience in the low and high-rise residential building industry, Gord shares his insights and passion as he advocates for better building practices and methods for improving IAQ and energy efficiency in new and existing homes. Combining solid building science with his training and technical background, his presentations and workshops have been requested by builders, contractors and building conferences throughout North America. Gord is Chair of CSA F280 Standard for Determining the Size of Residential Heating and Cooling Systems; Member of CSA F326 Standard for Mechanical Ventilation; recipient of the EEBA Excellence in Building Legacy Award; and Ontario Home Builders Hall of Fame Inductee.		Doug Tarry Jr. Vice President / Director of Operations Doug Tarry Limited Doug is a second-generation builder trained in ENERGYSTAR®, R-2000 and Net Zero building methods. He’s a National Award Winning BCIN Qualified Home Designer, working with a number of manufacturers on development of products for more sustainable housing. His career highlights include: Past President, OHBA Inaugural winner of the Net Zero Home of the Year Award, CHBA Two Time National Grand SAM Award Winner, CHBA Project HOPE, a 3-Day Net Zero Ready Home fundraising build (“HOPE: A Story that builds more than a new Home” documentary film will be released in 2018) Founding HOPE AGUA VITA, a fundraising effort taking volunteers to the village of San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico to help rebuilding after Hurricane Maria

Are you Still Air Sealing Your Homes From the INTERIOR?

September, 27 2018  

An exceptional level of airtightness is a critical first step towards achieving net zero ready performance and ensuring long term performance and durability of the building envelope.  Simply adding more insulation to meet new stringent energy efficiency Codes without controlling air leakage could lead to unintended consequences and premature building enclosure failures.  

This webinar will cover the simple details of Owens Corning’s innovative CodeBord exterior air barrier system that helps builders achieve exceptional levels of airtightness (below 1.5 ACH at the framing stage) and provide maximum occupant comfort.

Jennifer Weatherston from Reid’s Heritage Homes will share her teams experience and journey in implementing the CodeBord exterior air barrier system in their construction.  Jennifer will outline the advantages and provide key take-aways required to successfully move the air barrier to the exterior.

The CodeBord exterior air barrier system provides:
•    Exceptional levels of airtightness (less than 1.5 ACH at the framing stage)
•    Reduced construction costs
•    Reduced call backs
•    Opportunity for replacing interior polyethylene vapor barrier with vapor barrier paint
•    Opportunity to achieve the required heat, air and moisture control layers all from the exterior with one product!

Presenters

Salvatore D. Ciarlo, P Eng. Technical Services and Building Enclosures Director Owens Corning Canada Sal is responsible for the design, certification and commercialization of complete building enclosure systems for the commercial, industrial and residential building construction markets. As a civil engineer with more than 26 years of experience in the construction industry, he specializes in high performance and net zero building envelope designs, acoustic and fire separation systems and solutions.  Sal is very active on Provincial and National Code committees.  He has presented educational seminars to architects, engineering professionals and builders across the country, focusing on next generation building envelope solutions and designs, net zero envelopes, air barrier systems, noise control and fire protection systems.

Jennifer Weatherston Director of Innovation & Integration Reid's Heritage Homes Jennifer Weatherston is Director of Innovation and Estimating with Reid’s Heritage Homes. Her role over see’s the success of the company’s innovation and desire to be forward thinkers. Jennifer has led the product & design teams in advancing the successful path to Net Zero, while demonstrating a strong commitment to advance better building practices from a cost efficiency and production minded aspect. In keeping with the company’s initiative to build better homes and provide optimal value & comfort while ensuring affordability to buyers, Jennifer has worked closely with all aspects of the team to ensure seamless integration and improvement of new practices and processes while continually adhering to the company’s core values.

Discover the flexibility of using a tested air tight continuous insulation (CI) wall system for your NZE project

May, 31 2018 

More stringent energy codes require a different approach to the design of the building envelope.  Builders are examining new ways of constructing walls that maximizes the performance of the different components by integrating them into one system.

This webinar will examine:
•    How continuous insulation significantly contributes to achieving a high effective R-value
•    Why spray foam offers design flexibility as an insulation, vapour and air barrier system
•    How the roof, foundation and walls work together to ensure an air tight building envelope

Bob Deeks of RDC Homes will profile one of his NZE Ready projects using BASF’s HP+ XR wall system.

Chris Janzen, BASF Canada Chris has been with BASF Canada for over 15 years covering various aspects of technical support, product development, market development and customer training for the spray polyurethane foam business.  His experience has brought him exposure to residential, commercial, and roofing applications in Canada and abroad.  He has recently accepted the leading role in BASF’s spray foam site quality assurance and training program (QATP) for North America. Chris is also co-chair for the Spray Foam Coalition’s Canada Work Group.

Bob Deeks, RDC Fine Homes Inc. Bob is owner and President of RDC Fine Homes Inc. located in Whistler BC. RDC is an award-winning builder involved in the construction and renovation of both single family and multi-family residences with a focus on sustainable, healthy, high performance construction. Bob is a past president of the Canadian Home Builders of BC and was awarded Whistlers Business Person of the Year in 2015. He is currently Chair for CHBA's Net Zero Council, Vice Chair of the Energy Step Code Council and a member of the Standing Committee for Housing and Small Buildings for the development of the National Building Code.

CHBA Home Buyer Preference Survey – Energy Efficiency Results

September, 7 2017 

Click here for webinar recording and slide deck

Energy Storage – A Homebuilder’s Introduction

June, 22 2016 

Click here for webinar recording and slide deck

Energy storage is a natural step in the evolution of sustainable and resilient home building. This cutting edge technology increases the amount of solar energy used directly in the home. It also provides a reliable, quiet and safe source of backup power. And for builders, it’s a key differentiator that will change the way people look at your next development, and your business as a whole.

On this webinar you’ll receive an overview of this state-of-the-art technology, including how energy storage has been geared to residential applications, and key considerations for including it in your current and future projects.

This webinar combines an introduction to energy storage technology with basic guidelines on how to plan for and implement it. Key take-aways include:

• Energy Storage Solutions & Configurations
• Criteria for Selection
• What you need to know in advance
• Builder case studies

Introduction to version 1 of the CHBA Net Zero Home Labelling Program

April, 27 2017

Tools to Help Design Building Envelopes for Net Zero Homes

February, 16 2017

Join us for this webinar to learn about some of the tools that Energy Advisors and Builders are using to help design Building Envelopes for Net Zero Homes. Each presenter will provide an introduction to their tool, highlighting the key functionality and outputs. You will learn where to access the tools and who to contact for more information. After the presentations, you will have the opportunity to ask questions to the panel. 

Moderator: Derek Satnik, P.Eng., LEED(r) AP - VP of Technology at s2e Technologies
Derek Satnik is a familiar face in CHBA and related discussions on sustainable housing. With nearly 40 million square feet of improved buildings on his resume and over 85,000 kW of renewable energy projects, Derek has made significant contributions to most of Canada’s leading green building programs including ENERGY STAR, BUILT GREEN, LEED, Net-Zero, and related codes and legislation.

Now as VP of Technology at s2e Technologies, Derek leads s2e’s Smart Communities business, working with leading developers, technology suppliers and community designers on some of the most sustainable and technologically advanced communities in the world.

Presenter: Anil Parekh, P.Eng. - Senior Researcher with Natural Resources Canada
Anil has been working in the housing energy efficiency field for over twenty-five years focusing on building envelope technologies, energy analysis and performance evaluations.  He is also Technical Advisor for the leading-edge standards such as R-2000, ENERGY STAR and EnerGuide Rating System.

HOT2000 is an energy simulation and design tool for low-rise residential buildings. It supports Natural Resources Canada’s EnerGuide Rating System, ENERGY STAR for New Homes and R-2000 energy efficiency residential programs. In 2015, updates to the rating system resulted in a new version of HOT2000 and new complementary report generation software. Anil's presentation will focus on modelling renewable energy in HOT2000 to determine the energy "budget" for a home.

Presenter: Sal Ciarlo, P.Eng. - Technical Services & Codes and Standards Manager at Owens Corning Canada
Sal is responsible for the design, certification and commercialization of complete building enclosure systems for the commercial, industrial and residential building construction markets. As a civil engineer with more than 25 years of building science experience, he specialises in high performance and net zero building envelope designs, acoustic and fire separation systems and solutions.  Sal is very active on Provincial and National Code committees helping to develop energy codes and standards.  He has presented educational seminars to architects, engineering professionals and builders across the country, focusing on next generation building envelope solutions and designs, net zero envelopes, air barrier systems, noise control and fire protection systems.

The Owens Corning effective thermal resistance calculator uses the calculation methodology, material values and framing factors listed in appendix A-9.36.2.4.1 of the National Building Code of Canada. Wood structural members are of the spruce-pine-fir type with a thermal resistance of RSI 0.0085/mm of thickness. Steel stud members are available as an option for walls above grade assemblies only with a thermal resistance of RSI 0.0000161/mm. The user can view the individual material thermal resistance values used in the calculation for the design assembly chosen by clicking on the “Download Results” icon. Assembly details are grouped by Continuous and Non-Continuous layers.

Presenter: Robert Jonkman, P.Eng. - Director Codes and Standards - Structural Engineering at Canadian Wood Council
Rob joined the Canadian Wood Council’s Codes and Standards division in 2005, progressing to “Director, Codes and Standards - Structural Engineering” in 2014. Concentrating on structural engineering, building science, and energy issues, Rob is responsible for the CWC’s Publication and Software business centre, participates on the Technical Research Committee and the Net Zero Energy Housing council of the Canadian Home Builder’s Association, participates on national building code committees (Structural and Energy) and is the Secretary/Associate for the Technical Committee on the “Engineering Design in Wood” (CSA O86) Standard.

The Canadian Wood Council’s interactive Wall Thermal Design (WTD) calculator is a free tool to help designers comply to the new energy requirements. The calculator enables designers to explore options, compare features, and determine a suitable wall assembly that can perform across a range of Canadian climates. This free online tool provides effective R-values for wall assemblies and includes a durability assessment that considers computer modeling and field experience.

Presenter: Patrick Roppel, P.Eng., M.A.Sc. - Principal, Building Science Specialist at Morrison Hershfield
Patrick manages the Building Performance Analysis Department at Morrison Hershfield.  Patrick is a Building Science Specialist with a technical focus on evaluating the performance of the building envelope through testing, monitoring, and numerical simulations. Patrick manages and provides technical oversight on new construction and retrofit projects, investigation and assessment of existing buildings, and building science research.

The Building Envelope Thermal Bridging Guide was prepared by Morrison Hershfield Ltd. incollaboration with many stakeholders and industry partners. This publication is provided to inform the practice of applying the Building Envelope Thermal Analysis (BETA) methodology for determining the effective thermal performance of building envelope assembly and interface details, as well as to guide BETA’s application in overall building design.

The Impact of Fenestration on the Building Envelope: A Window of Opportunity

January, 18 2017

Increasing energy performance requirements in codes means rethinking how we build envelopes. Examining the entire wall assembly and optimizing the window specifications may prove to be the best opportunity for builders to cost effectively improve the overall performance of their homes.

This webinar will show you how

• selecting the right glass package can influence your cooling loads,
• the window-to-wall ratio impacts the overall effective R value of your wall, and
• putting in better windows reduces initial costs and operational costs.

A more holistic approach to the building envelope may be the most cost effective way to deliver high performance homes as well as increase comfort for the occupants. Understanding the energy performance numbers for windows and how they influence the size of the mechanical systems is key to providing cost efficient solutions to improving the building envelope.

Presented by Lisa Bergeron, Government Relations Manager, JELD-WEN of Canada
Lisa is an Executive Board Member of Fenestration Canada, chairs Fenestration Canada’s Fabricator’s Council and has been a member of NRCan’s Energy Efficient Fenestration Steering Committee, which dictates ENERGY STAR fenestration criteria, since its inception. She is also a voting member of the CSA A440 Technical committee, and is a Sponsor Member of the CHBA Net Zero Energy Housing Council.

5 Net Zero Energy Builder Success Stories

June, 9 2016  

This presentation provides the results of the NRCan ecoEII Owens Corning Net Zero Energy Communities initiative. The project aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of building Net Zero Energy housing communities - addressing the challenges specific to production housing, and to act as a platform for the broader adoption of Net Zero Energy homes across Canada. Owens Coming Canada recruited 5 builders across Canada to participate:

• Mattamy Calgary Ltd. (Alberta)
• Reid's Heritage Homes (Ontario)
• Minto Communities (Ontario)
• Construction Voyer (Quebec)
• Provident Developments Inc. (Nova Scotia)

All of the teams held public opening events, and construction of all 26 homes is complete. Check out the project videos here. More information can be found on the project website here.

Andy Goyda, Market Development Manager at Owens Corning Canada, provides an overview of the project results, and representatives from each builder present an overview of their Net Zero Energy/Ready homes.

The F280-12 Standard: Right-Sized HVAC for Net Zero and Net Zero Ready Homes

May, 26 2016

Are you a planning on building a Net Zero or Net Zero Ready Home? Using right-sized HVAC equipment and ductwork will prevent on-off short-cycling, prolong equipment life, and increase operational efficiencies – not to mention improve occupant comfort. Smaller equipment and ductwork can also allow for greater design flexibility, offering more living space.

Andy Oding, Senior Building Science Associate at Building Knowledge Canada, addresses the key points of this standard, including:

• Why it’s important that residential space heating/cooling systems have the appropriate output capacity – especially in low load homes such as Net Zero and Net Zero Ready Homes.
• How to calculate the heat loss/gain of homes for selecting the appropriate output capacity of a space heating/cooling appliance.

Michelle Côté, Director of Business Development at Dettson Industries provides examples of their sustainable HVAC solutions designed to maximize residential comfort.

LEEP PV Webinar Series

January/February 2016 

Webinar #1 (Jan 26, 2016) Ben Giudici, Riverside Energy Systems

Webinar #2 (Feb 2, 2016) Matthew Schiedel, Building Knowledge Canada Inc.

Webinar #3 (Feb 9, 2016) Kyle Kasawski, SOLARMAX Power Inc.