Net Zero FAQs

• What is a Net Zero home?

  A Net Zero home is designed to be exceptionally energy efficient, with the ability to produce as much energy as it consumes over the course of a year. Better insulation, improved air sealing, high-performance windows and efficient heating and cooling systems all work together to reduce the home’s energy needs.

• What is the difference between Net Zero and Net Zero Ready?

  A Net Zero home is designed to produce as much energy as it consumes annually. A Net Zero Ready home is built to the same high level of energy efficiency but does not yet have the renewable energy system, such as solar panels, needed to achieve Net Zero performance.

• What are the benefits of a Net Zero home?

  Net Zero homes are designed to use significantly less energy while providing a more comfortable living environment. Benefits can include lower energy consumption, more consistent indoor temperatures, fewer drafts, improved indoor air quality and a reduced environmental impact.

• How much energy does a Net Zero home save?

  A highly energy-efficient home can significantly reduce the amount of energy required for heating, cooling and everyday living. Actual utility costs will vary depending on factors such as household energy use, weather and utility rates, but the home itself is designed to minimize energy consumption.

• Do I need an air conditioner if I have a heat pump?

  No. A heat pump provides both heating and cooling. During the summer it works much like an air conditioner, moving heat out of your home to keep it cool. In colder weather, the process is reversed to provide efficient heating.

• Will my heat pump work during an Ottawa winter?

  Cold-climate heat pumps are designed to operate efficiently at low outdoor temperatures. During particularly cold conditions, your home’s heating system (furnace) may use supplemental or backup heat to ensure the home remains comfortable.

• What is an HRV and why do I need one?

  An HRV, or Heat Recovery Ventilator, brings fresh outdoor air into your home while exhausting stale indoor air. At the same time, it transfers heat from the outgoing air to the incoming air, helping provide fresh air without unnecessarily wasting energy. This is especially important in today’s well-insulated, tightly sealed homes.

• How do you know a home meets the Net Zero standard?

  Net Zero and Net Zero Ready homes are designed, modelled and tested to meet specific energy-performance requirements. This can include energy modelling during design and on-site testing, such as a blower door test, which measures how airtight the completed home is.