Guelph: Reid's Heritage Homes unveils Net Zero Home

By NextHome Staff
October 07, 2015

An energy-producing, Net Zero home? Seems incredible. Not if you’re Reid’s Heritage Homes.

It was a few years ago when the American Association of Architects set a goal that by 2030, all homes could be built to produce as much energy as they consume. Inspired, Ministry of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) partnered with Owens Corning to test that objective. Not only did they want to create Net Zero houses, but gear them to the mainstream public and the lowrise production builder, using products that are readily available to the average builder while maintaining affordability for the homebuyer.

Reid’s Heritage Homes is one of five Canadian home builders selected to partner in the project and share $1.9 million in funding from Natural Resources Canada to construct 25 Net Zero homes Canada-wide, using off-the-shelf equipment and materials to build homes that produce at least as much energy as they consume. Reid’s Heritage Homes was one of the builders chosen for its track record of building energy-efficient homes, along with the company’s expertise, drive and motivation to build leading-edge homes. For almost 20 years, Reid’s Heritage Homes has equipped thousands of homes in its communities across southern Ontario with Energy Star features and certification.

Reid’s Heritage Homes has now completed its first Net Zero Discovery Home in Guelph, one of five underway, and is opening it for all to see. Not unremarkable on the outside, it blends in with neighbouring homes in the flagship Westminster Woods community. If it weren’t for the fanfare, you might not realize the cutting edge technology invested and the monumental step being taken.

Reid’s Heritage Homes has had an overwhelming response to these homes from the general public. “We have people lined up saying, ‘How can I get one of these?’ ” says Blake Seeberger, the company’s senior vice-president of residential. He expects they will take the lessons learned in building these homes and apply them to future developments. “You need some kind of a test before you go out and build a community of 300 homes. You’ve got to be able to understand how best to build the home and make it affordable to the end user.”

Industry eyes are on Reid’s Heritage Homes and the other builders as they illustrate the feasibility that may also drive prices down on some of the technologies due to increased demand. The Discovery Home will showcase “off-the-shelf” energy-saving features, including high-efficiency, triple-pane windows, an air barrier system and thicker walls with added insulation, solar panels to generate electricity, a cold climate air source heat pump instead of a furnace, and a hybrid heat pump water heater. Owens Corning has provided the CodeBord air barrier system while Jeld-Wen Windows and Doors, Bluewater Energy, Mitsubishi Electric Sales Canada Inc. and Rheem have supplied other off-the-shelf technologies.

Homes have existed off the grid for a while, but at considerable expense and as part of a custom home which is out of the reach of most homebuyers. “It was important, however, that this initiative differ from past Net Zero homes, which have been custom-built, one-of-a-kind designs. This project is geared to the mainstream public and the lowrise production builder, using products that are readily available to the average builder,” says Seeberger.

Reid’s Heritage Homes invites the public to visit their Net Zero Discovery Home located at 197 Goodwin Dr. in Guelph.

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