New-home building leads the way in energy-efficient, climate-resilient housing

New-home builders in Hamilton are producing a new era of housing that is not only more energy-efficient but also resilient to climate change. This transformation is driven by advances in the Ontario Building Code, as well as by industry leadership through voluntary programs such as Energy Star, Passivhaus, and CHBA Qualified Net Zero Homes. Furthermore, in Hamilton with a focus on our industrial heritage and with the support of the City’s Environmental Remediation Grant Program, new housing often contributes to the cleaning up of contaminated land.

Green features

Indeed, the private sector in Hamilton is playing a crucial role in advancing energy-efficient housing. Voluntary programs such as Energy Star, Passivhaus, and Net Zero Housing are setting the bar for new construction. Homes built to Energy Star standards are at least 20-per-cent more energy-efficient than those built to standard building codes.

New-home builders also often incorporate a menu of their own Green features encompassing everything from energy efficiency to water conservation and indoor air quality. Other times they seek third-party verification through these types of programs as a competitive advantage to attract potential buyers.

Net Zero Homes

One significant advancement in energy-efficient housing for new construction comes from the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) Qualified Net Zero Homes program. This initiative certifies homes that produce as much energy as they consume, thanks to advanced construction techniques, high-performance materials and renewable energy systems such as solar panels. Net Zero Homes are designed to be highly efficient, comfortable and resilient, and set a high standard for sustainable living. Builders across the province are increasingly adopting this certification, driving innovation and raising the bar for the entire housing industry.

The impact of these initiatives is stark when comparing new homes to older housing inventory. Modern homes in Ontario consume significantly less energy as a result of better insulation, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, and advanced building materials. For example, a new home built to current Ontario Building Code standards uses less than half the energy of a home built in the 1970s. This difference highlights the potential for significant energy savings and greenhouse gas reductions through new construction and buying a newly built home.