(The 2-day Building Science Workshop is a prerequisite to participate in this Workshop)
In this course, participants learn the latest developments on approaches to Net Zero/Ready Homes focused on optimizing performance and costs. Attendees will gain insight on Net Zero/Ready design principles, equipment options, emerging technologies, and construction practices. This course reflects the advancements in technology and innovations in the Canadian housing industry.
By the end of this course, participants will:
- Discover the history of energy efficiency and Net Zero Energy housing in Canada.
- Identify factors that are driving the Canadian housing market toward higher levels of energy performance.
- Know the various definitions of Net Zero including the CHBA’s definition of Net Zero and Net Zero Ready Homes.
- Understand how to earn the CHBA Qualified Net Zero Builder designation.
- Learn how an integrated design process and other optimization and costing tools such as NRCan’s HTAP (Housing Technology Assessment Platform) and CBAT (Cost-Benefit Analysis Tool) together with HOT2000 energy modeling can help project teams reduce costs.
- Know how to design and build Net Zero/Ready Homes that meet the program’s Technical Requirements using cost-effective, off‐the‐shelf technologies.
- Understand the key Building Science principles behind Net Zero best practices.
- Hear how occupant loads (the largest energy loads in a Net Nero/Ready Home) may or may not impact a builders’ design and construction choices.
- Understand how Net Zero/Ready Homes are designed to deliver excellent indoor air quality, helping to keep occupants healthy – a great selling feature with occupants now spending more time at home.
- Learn the construction technology and techniques behind Net Zero and Net Zero Ready Homes, including:
- Using modeling, find the balance between energy efficiency and renewable energy with cost-effectiveness as a key factor.
- Best practices for the building envelop, including comfortable basements, above-grade walls and exposed floors, super‐efficient windows and doors, effective roofing, and ceiling insulation.
- Best practices for mechanical systems, including space heating and cooling, ventilation, and water heating.
- Best practices for Solar PV design, sizing, orientation, integration, and installation.
- Reference Net Zero/Ready Home case studies for each Canadian climate zone.
An exam at the end of the course is designed to confirm that participants have learned the key Net Zero and Net Zero
Ready Home components. A passing grade is 75%.
