Planning & Designing Sustainable Green Homes

Grants and incentives

Green building tax credits and grants for 2025

Learn what incentives and rebates are available to help you get a better performing and healthier home for less money. Important to note: some programs may be discontinued, some new ones may be out there. Please help us keep this page updated if any of these don't work out or you know of others out there and drop a…

Materials and resources

Finding environmentally friendly building materials

Green materials don’t start and end with whether or not they are recyclable or contain recycled content. There are many factors to consider when searching for sustainable materials. All materials will have a history, the pros and cons of which will need to be weighed. Unfortunately there isn’t always an obvious…

Choosing where to live

Urban living

A green home doesn’t always cost more to build, but always costs less to operate. A healthy efficient home saves money, reduces your carbon footprint and improves your quality of life. Housing is an enormous source of carbon emissions, so it is also a place where we have tremendous room for improvement. This…

Concept and design

How waterjet cutting technology is advancing sustainable home construction

The technique of waterjet cutting is making inroads into the green building community, and offers a non toxic 'green' method of material cutting. The future of residential construction is being shaped by more than just aesthetics or affordability, it's being built around sustainability. As climate concerns mount and…

Lifestyle, location and commuting

A sustainable executive home near Toronto GTA built for comfort, efficiency, and future resilience

Passive heating and off-grid ready construction can offer a feeling of security in a future of uncertain climate-related weather challenges. When the current owners of this rural property in Erin, Ontario began looking for an executive-style home within reach of the Greater Toronto Area, they quickly realized there…

Building codes

A closer look at the Liberal Housing Plan: Opportunities and challenges for Canada’s construction industry

An in-depth look at the Liberal and Conservative housing plans, exploring challenges, industry obstacles, and opportunities to address Canada’s housing crisis and foster growth in the construction sector for affordable housing solutions. The challenges and opportunities in Canada's construction industry Canada’s…

Concept and design

Age in place home renovations and modifications for seniors

Tips for home renovations for seniors and universal access. How to create safe comfortable living spaces for those with mobility issues. As the leading edge of the baby boomer generation is now closing in on 80, many are at the point of needing home care in some form, be it retirement communities or planning to age…

Passive House

Comparing Net Zero Energy homes to Passive House solar gain designed homes: a head-to-head analysis

The main principles of Net Zero house and Passive Solar house can be applied to the same house. We've decided to compare them, as a way of getting to the bottom of the issue. The Net Zero Energy home. The concept of the Zero Energy home is appealing in its simplicity: a residence that generates as much renewable…

Concept and design

Is it spelled Insolation or Insulation? What even is Insolation?!

Ever talk about a topic you know well, only to realize halfway through that the other person has a completely different understanding of the terms you're using? This happens to me often when discussing building design, insulation, and insolation. Is it spelled insulation or insolation? A clear guide to knowing the…

Building codes

The Question that Needs to be Asked: Should California's Fire Resistance Code be Expanded for Urban Areas?

As California faces an escalating wildfire crisis, urban areas are vulnerable. With recent insurance regulation updates, the question arises: Are current building codes enough, or what changes can protect vulnerable communities from catastrophic fires. This week’s fires in California have been a wake-up call with…

Concept and design

Buying a property to renovate and flip as a green home

Flipping homes for profit - how to make money renovating and selling homes and how not to lose your shirt! Buying a property to renovate and to turn into a Green home: Key factors to consider for a smart investment and healthy return. What to look for when buying and renovating to flip a home for profit Purchasing a…