BELGRAVIA HOME HAS ENERGY TO SPARE
Local company leads push toward low-carbon-footprint construction
Rising heating and electricity costs and the new carbon tax have made energy consumption a priority for home builders and homeowners alike in recent years, but a Belgravia home built by a local company continues to lead the way in not only energy efficiency, but energy production.
In the simplest terms, a net-zero energy home produces as much energy as it consumes. Effect Home Builders constructed the Belgravia home in 2012 to demonstrate that a net-zero energy home was possible in Edmonton’s climate. Since then the home, called Belgravia Green, has become a net-positive, generating a surplus of energy for three consecutive years.
“It has been unbelievably impressive,” said the homeowner. “We have no gas bill and produce our own electricity, so our utility bills are next to nothing. When you look at our utility savings each month it is amazing how that reduces the cost of home ownership. Looking back it is obvious that it was a solid investment that directly contributes to a better environment.”
A variety of building features help Belgravia Green achieve its remarkable energy efficiency. High-efficiency heat recovery ventilators draw in fresh air at a comfortable temperature, triplepane windows keep cold air out, and a wood-burning stove picks up any heating slack during the winter months. The home’s foundation has an insulation value of R-41, while 12-inch thick advanced exterior wall systems achieve an insulation value of R-48. By comparison, the average fibreglass insulation has an R-value of anywhere from 21 from 26.
But two solar systems — active and passive — drive the home toward net-zero energy. The active solar system uses photovoltaic solar modules located on the southfacing roof that capture sunlight and converts it to electricity. The passive solar system utilizes a concrete floor to absorb warmth from the sun and distribute it throughout the home.
“Passive solar is a very simple technology,” said Les Wold, managing partner at Effect Home Builders.
“The home is designed to capture as much of the sun’s energy as possible. Energy comes through windows and hits a thermal mass on the floor and releases that heat later on throughout the day. There aren’t any moving parts, it just releases heat as it’s needed and allows more natural light into the home.”
The two solar systems combine to meet the home’s energy requirements, and then some. Belgravia Green had generated a surplus of 4,800 kilowatt hours (kWh) by the end of 2014, achieved an additional 3,100 kWh in 2015, and had produced a surplus of 6,100 kWh through August 2016.
“When there’s surplus energy, it’s fed back into the grid, and the homeowner receives a credit for that” said Wold, who noted that various levels of government are exploring incentive programs. “We’re thrilled with the way people are becoming more aware of this technology and buying into the concept. It really does make a difference in energy costs and the environment. And it’s not just energy reduction benefits, but homes are quieter and more comfortable.“
Building a custom, energy-efficient home from scratch costs approximately about seven to eight per cent more than a traditional home, depending on how expansive the solar electric system is. Of course, energy efficiency has cost benefits, as well as a boost to the home’s resale value.
“Resale value comes up often in our discussions,” said Wold.
“To ensure the resale value is there, documents have to show that the home is as efficient as advertised. Time-stamped photography and electricity imaging helps give buyers peace of mind.”
For those looking to retrofit their existing home, the ability to introduce energy-efficient technology depends on the amount of sunlight the home receives, as well as its insulation and overall air tightness.
Enlisting an energy auditor is one easy step for any homeowner aiming to improve their efficiency.
“For a couple hundred dollars, energy auditors can look at your home and see areas for improvement, doors and windows or heating system,” said Wold, who has seen a gradual shift toward smaller, more efficient homes.
“Energy-efficient homes appeal to everyone, but particularly people who are looking longer-term, as an investment.
“The ‘bigger is better’ mentality, from our perspective, is going by the wayside. People want a home that meets their needs now and in the future.”
One of Wold’s partners at Effect Home Builders, Dale Rott, is a member of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Net Zero Energy Housing Council, promoting the technology to other builders and advancing it within the industry.
“Walking into one of these homes, the thing we’ve learned is to keep it as simple as possible but make sure that it works the way it’s intended,” said Wold. “You turn on the light switch and the lights come on. You don’t have to worry about which system it’s coming from, or you don’t have to worry about batteries, which take up storage space.”
Walking into one of these homes, the thing we’ve learned is to keep it as simple as possible but make sure that it works the way it’s intended.