Homeowners consume 19% of the natural gas and 16% of electricity used by Albertans. Even small improvements to energy efficiency can mean big reductions in GHG emissions. In the case of new homes, total improvements can represent as much as 40% of the total.
The best way to create energy efficient houses is to build them that way. Landmark achieves NetZero status by focusing on three elements: making the house “envelope” as energy efficient as possible, using the most energy efficient equipment and appliances, and generating energy through solar panels.
Dr. Haitao Yu, chief researcher for Landmark, indicated that ERA funding will improve market affordability of their NetZero Homes for mainstream housing. In the process, key learnings will be shared with other Alberta homebuilders and move the market diffusion point of NetZero Homes ahead by at least five years.