Terra View Homes Launches Bold 'Net Zero Now' Projects.
February 04, 2020
The federal Liberals have pledged to make Canada a “net-zero” emitter of greenhouse gases by 2050. “That means not putting any more carbon pollution into the air than we take out,” then-environment minister Catherine McKenna said last year.
McKenna admitted at the time that the pledge was a bold one. And she admitted that the government did not know exactly how it would be achieved. Still, Canada’s homebuilders can expect to see radical changes to building codes over the next 30 years, no matter which parties are in power in the interim. Energy-efficiency requirements are about to head off the charts.
The word climate appeared 11 times in the 2019 Throne Speech. Some Canadian home builders have already decided to get out on the leading edge of Net Zero technology, not waiting for building codes to force their hand. One such firm is Terra View Homes, Guelph, Ontario. They are challenging other builders with a bold mission statement they call “Net Zero Now.”
“Terra View’s Net-Zero Ready homes allow homeowners to greatly diminish their carbon footprint while contributing directly to the fight against climate change,” the firm says in a recent media release. “The builder has implemented and made available solar, geothermal and rainwater recovery initiatives for purchasers to select from. By practicing environmentally conscious building, Terra View utilizes building materials such as low emission quartz counters, low VOC cabinetry and wood finished off-site to limit off gassing; resulting in lower emissions from the process of constructing a new home. Terra View isn’t new to the energy-efficiency part. It was one of the first home builders in Canada to build exclusively Energy Star homes—beginning in 2006. The builder has a diverse portfolio of projects that incorporate the key elements of EnergyStar, GreenHouse, Built Green and LEED accreditations.
Currently building the first Net Zero Ready communities in Guelph at Hart Village and NiMa Trails, Terra View says that its homes in these communities “will maximize the potential of natural elements such as sun, water and rain and minimize the draw on resources needed for everyday life. Features include: all homes built to a Net Zero standard, energy modelling of each home, superior building envelope, extremely efficient mechanical systems, triple pane windows, solar PV ready with full solar option and third-party blower door testing.”
Terra View’s Net Zero Ready homes incorporate all state-of-the-art mechanical and superior insulation systems when building, however they do not include the physical solar panels. Design considerations and modifications are included in preparation for the installation of a future photovoltaic system. These homes are 80 per cent more energy efficient than those constructed at the current regulated building code. Terra View’s Net Zero Ready homes allow homeowners to save over 30 per cent on utilities while benefiting from reduced heat loss, increased insulation values, less water wastage, heat recovery and environmental protection.
Terra View Homes is also proud to call itself “Canada’s first and only builder to include 4KW of solar technology on homes at no cost to purchasers” at its Hart Village project. It calls this initiative, “GoSolar.” “GoSolar encourages homeowners to take the first step to complete energy independence when it comes to their home—their new home will be wired and ready for when they are ready to increase solar generation and classify the home as full net-zero.”
“The 4KW modules paired with monitoring systems will enable homeowners to view consumption, generation and direction of energy flow—anytime, anywhere and in real-time. The value of this system is in excess of $20,000—with the average savings for homeowners rounding to $60,000 over 30 years,” Terra View says.
Terra View Homes has also introduced Terra Condos: “Canada’s first carbon neutral condominium located at NiMa Trails in Guelph, Ontario. Terra Condos is a modern, socially responsible condo building that leaves zero carbon footprint. Terra View’s environmentally conscious design emits zero carbon by drawing on green power from solar and geothermal energy sources. Proudly part of the CaGBC’s Zero Carbon Building Standard Pilot Program, Terra Condos will help to inform further development of the standard over the coming years.”
