As the housing industry moves towards more energy-efficient options, like net-zero housing, Airdrie-based McKee Homes aims to stay ahead of the curve by offering enhanced energy-reducing features for homebuyers.
“There is definitely a push coming from our government to reduce energy consumption and go to a little bit more of what is deemed clean energy,” says Kierson Bare, architectural technologist for McKee Homes. “There are different rumblings around what different requirements are going to be but, each year, we’re pushed into being more energy-efficient. And so, there are goals in the future to have, say, ‘X’ amount of new construction be net-zero.”
A net-zero home produces as much energy as it consumes, which is achieved through alternate energy sources such as solar panels. Net-zero homes also use heat pumps for climate control; pumps have higher heating efficiency than traditional furnaces and can both heat and cool the home. Electricity generated from the solar panels can offset power consumed by the heat pump to reduce the home’s carbon footprint even more.
Insulation is also important for maintaining energy efficiency inside the home. Spray foam insulation, exterior rigid insulation around foundation walls, triple-pane windows and a heat-recovery ventilation system help keep the heat inside.
“There are lots of different paths that you can take to achieve net-zero, but the main one that we have [taken] is use what’s called a clean energy source,” says Bare. “In this case, that would be using electricity to heat and power the home. Basically, through lots of different systems and upgraded assemblies, we have reduced how much energy consumption would be used on a standard house, and then, to offset it to actually get to net-zero, we have solar panels.”
McKee Homes is currently completing its first net-zero-specification home in Bayside in southwest Airdrie and will be opening it to showcase what kind of options and features homebuyers can choose to add to their home. The process of building the home was a learning opportunity for staff, says Bare.
“We know that this is coming, and we want to be ahead of the curve, so this is our way of finding out what we can improve on,” he says.
Costs associated with net-zero housing depend on a variety of factors and what kind of features homebuyers would like to include in their home, says Stephanie Doel, energy co-ordinator for McKee Homes, adding the goal is to have a few different packages available for buyers to choose from.
“A net-zero home, overall, continues to provide comfort for the homeowners and occupants inside. And you’ll see a reduction in your utility bills, overall,” says Doel. “You’ll also be using alternate forms of energy and a bit of a different wall design to the traditional wall and insulation system.
“We are looking forward to gathering true data on the finished home to track how everything performs in our complex climate and to understand the full costs of the net-zero build from both a capital investment perspective and operationally.”
For more information, visit mckeehomes.com.
