Home Rating Systems

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…

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…

Holistic design, recycled materials, hempcrete, pushing the boundaries beyond Net-Zero, all of this and more at the UBC Vancouver campus in the form of the Third Space Commons building by Third Quadrant Design. Officially billed as displaying the best of 'carbon minimalism', Third Quadrant Design's Third Space…

Find the builders and see the homes that succeeded in the Net Zero Energy Canadian pilot project. In the EcoHome green building guide pages you can learn to build a Net Zero Energy Home that can withstand a climate change. Net Zero Energy Homes pilot program goals The goal of the R-2000 Net Zero Energy homes pilot…

Are you a BC builder concerned about what the new BC Energy Step Code will mean for your business? EcoHome's been writing articles about high-efficiency construction for over 10 years, so relax, we can help. The new BC Energy Step Code - The details The BC Energy Step Code is a new provincial standard intended to…

The new Powerhouse standard factors the entire energy consumption and life cycle of buildings from cradle to grave. Powerhouse Paris Proof is a relatively new building standard that originated in Norway that is based on the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°Celsius  target. The standard lists maximum and total CO2 emissions per…

A Saanich, BC. home is the first certified with the CHBA's Net Zero Label. Net Zero Homes - the design & certification process In May of 2017, the Canadian Home Builders Association [CHBA] officially launched its Net Zero Home Labelling Program , following the successful completion of a 15-month pilot project to…

See the LEED Platinum Kenogami house with a Passive Solar Index rating of 15. Performance: Passive Solar Index 15 Registration date: February 12, 2015 Region: Saguenay, Quebec Type of construction: Single-family New home PSI rating: 15 kWh / m² Method of calculation: Modelled Built by owner Alain Hamel, the Kenogami…

The Living Building Challenge is the most rigorous and comprehensive of all building rating systems, certified on merit alone after 12 months of occupancy. What is the Living Building Challenge? The Living Building Challenge is the most rigorous and comprehensive of all building rating systems. Performance…

Green home building certification programs & rating systems offer an independent third party appraisal of the health, durability and performance of homes and buildings. Why pay for a green home certification? As more people pursue high efficiency green home rating certifications, they become increasingly well known…

The Endeavour Centre in Peterborough, ON sets its sights on the Living Building Challenge. The Living Building Challenge is one of the toughest green building certifications to complete, and has yet to be achieved in Canada. The Endeavour Centre, a not-for-profit trade school in Peterborough Ontario, is setting out…

Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirms the UK will fall short of its 1.5 million homes target by 2030, with new forecasts projecting 1.3 million homes. Planning reforms and investment in construction skills aim to boost delivery. UK Government expected to miss 1.5 Million homes target, confirms Chancellor Reeves…

Explore the growing risks of building homes in flood and wildfire-prone areas in Canada. Learn how climate change is impacting housing development and the importance of sustainable, climate-aware construction practices to avoid future costs and damages. New report warns of rising risks for Canadian homes in…

Named “The Confluence,” this house produces more energy than it uses, it captures water on site and has a positive impact on its occupants and surrounding environment. Located northwest of Calgary, Alberta, The Confluence home is a partnership between Southern Alberta Institute of Technology’s ( SAIT ) Green…

Toronto's Woodgreen Project leads the way for energy retrofits in affordable green housing in achieving the Investor Ready Energy Efficiency (IREE) certification. Efficiency Capital’s energy efficiency retrofit project across several WoodGreen Community Housing buildings is the first project in Canada to achieve the…