Advanced Home Energy Efficiency & Solar Energy

For New Construction & Major Renovations

1. Deep Energy Retrofit

• This is Wayne’s house before the retrofit.

• 120 years old• Row house

Renovation of Wayne’s house

EnerGuide rating before: 46 / 100

EnerGuide rating after: 73 / 100

Winter heat bill before: $800/yr

Winter heat bill after: $200/yr

Cost of renovation: ~$12,000

Received rebates: $3,900

Annual savings: $600 / year

Immediate payback – more comfort

• The insulated wall is now 14” thick (R-40)

• New window installed

• Increased insulation• New windows• Air Barrier• Many salvaged materials• Pine clapboard

Another example: NOW House

• 60 Year Old Post-War Housing in Toronto, converted to near net zero energy.

Passive House in New Brunswick

Naugler House

2. Passive House

• The most advanced standard for energy efficiency new home construction in the world.

• The one I visited is so well insulated, it doesn’t require a furnace.

• Examples – see video about Hawkins house and pictures of Naugler house.

What is different about the construction of a Passive House?

• Highly insulated• Thicker walls• Meticulously sealed• Triple-glazed windows• Dual wall construction to eliminate thermal

bridging.• Solar gain through windows is the main heat

source (plus the appliances and people)• Must have a heat recovery ventilator for

ventilation.

Another Example: Hawkins House, NS

2. Passive House – similar concepts

• R-2000• Net Zero Home• Equilibrium Housing• Passive Solar Design• EnerGuide for Houses ratings above 88• 1000 Home Challenge

2. Passive House – Resources

• Solar Nova Scotia: solarns.ca• Canadian Passive House Institute:

passivehouse.ca• Natalie Leonard: Passive House E-Design

passivedesign.ca• NOW House – Toronto –

nowhouseproject.com• Naugler House – Fredericton –

www.nauglerhouse.com

2. Heat Pumps

• Ground Source• Air Source

Ground Source Heat Pumps

Air Source Heat Pumps

3. Solar Energy

• Solar Hot Water• Solar Electricity

Solar water heater provides a portion of the energy for hot water year round.

Solar Power in Ship Harbour, NS

The Deanery Project

Solar electricity can be connected to the grid now, or used off-grid.

Solar Resources

• Solar NS– Book, solar courses, website

• Solar City• Efficiency Nova Scotia Solar Rebates