Enerwise Homes

Some photos of the interior of our most recent Net Zero step code 5 project. This modest little home is small so space is valuable which is why unique solutions like tucking the washer dryer under the stairs as well as service panels was utilized. Why build Net Zero or high performance home like BC step code 5.
-little or no energy bills -comfort and consistent temperatures -improved air quality. Or probably the most underrated reason - BEAT INFLATION! This is especially important if you’re on a fixed income. A home that has no utility bills is immune to energy inflation. Add in some low maintenance exterior finishes and enjoy your retirement without the worry of surprise maintenance costs or rising energy prices. Personally I also love the fact that in order to build energy efficient you must take utmost care and pride in what goes beneath your drywall and siding and have a good working knowledge of the home as a system.

This little 950 square foot home might almost be considered a tiny home! With a final blower door test of 0.76 ACH this home is on track to meet net zero ready status as well as BC step code 5. A tight air barrier has the highest ROI of nearly any energy efficient component on a new home, making these homes cost effective to build, which is why spending the extra care and attention to detail is worthwhile. Spend a little now save forever and beat inflation, now that’s what we call cost effective. Thanks to Nick Webb ,Zack Castellarin and Gary Sutton for the exceptionally tight weather barrier! With R 28 high density walls and triple pane windows, the owners can expect exceptionally low utility bills and with the addition of solar no bills at all. FYI Building energy efficient is most cost effective when the builder, client, energy adviser and designer work together to create the plan.

Great news on our current project going into the long weekend, our blower door test for our exterior air barrier reads 0.75 ACH, indicating we are well within compliance to meet our goals of net zero ready as well as BC step code 5. Achieving these higher levels of energy efficiency with airtightness on building projects need not be expensive. We didn’t utilize anything other than regular off the shelf products from local suppliers. Getting good airtightness is just a matter of taking care of the details and proper installation of the weather barrier. It’s that simple.

Metal siding progress on one of our two current projects slated to be Net Zero ready.
Nick of Fossli Carpentry can be seen working in some of the photos. Nick and I collaborated on the metal siding for this project. Nicks cuts folds and bends matched and a few times may have exceeded my own and his attention to detail and workmanship were top notch on our project, hope to work with Nick again in the future.

Progress on one of our two projects slated to meet net zero ready standards. Zack from Castellarin construction can be seen in one of the photos and I are currently collaborating on framing the roof together. Zack and his main helper Gary who have become familiar with the procedures of building energy efficient homes over these past couple years have taken on increasing responsibilities this year. Looking forward to seeing what the future has to offer in these next few years.

The beginning of a new Net Zero project. Enerwise Homes is working in collaboration with Castellarin Construction on this ICF foundation on our current build.

Building a net zero home is a hedge against inflation, no utility bills!

A sunny winter day and the solar grid is so happy! FYI…. I have Port Alberni first certified Net Zero home. AKA no hydro bills. Sunny days like today make me smile!
Enerwise Homes made magic happen here!!!

Step code 4! This home intended to reach step code 3, but with care and attention to detail and a team of excellent trades, has achieved a rating of step code 4. Better than originally intended. There's a misconception out there that building energy efficient is expensive, Not true. This home had regular 2X6 r22 walls and double pane windows. Nothing out of the ordinary was used, all readily available off the shelf products which can be purchased at any local hardware store. If you or someone you know are interested in learning about or building energy efficient, see the link below for an explanation of BC energy step code.

https://energystepcode.ca/how-it-works/

1.1 ACH for our mid-construction blower door test on our latest project with weather barrier installed ready for the rainy west coast fall. Looking forward to seeing if we get below 1.0ACH for our final test, putting us into the range of net zero and step 5, for air leakage, well beyond the requirements for this particular build. Though not our best air leakage test its probably the one I'm most proud of for the fact that we never employed any special building techniques or products, we just used regular products and methods with care and attention to detail. You wont see anything out of the ordinary of this regular stick frame constructed home that you do not see already used by most builders. Some things to look for for the average homeowner to see if your build has the quality behind the drywall to make your home energy efficient as well as safe an healthy are included in the photos, things such as windows and doors properly sealed with foam rod and caulking, good weather barrier connections especially around windows doors and any service penetration's, whether to the interior or exterior of your home and a clean and vacuumed work site between trades. Special thanks to Rick for a tight vapour barrier and Zack for care and attention to detail as well.

Many thanks to Zack of Castellarin Construction for helping me build this foundation and do the framing for our latest project.

Enerwise Homes is pleased to announce we are now passive house tradesperson certified. As a company we like to be proactive instead of reactive and be up to date with an evolving market here in on beautiful
Have a great weekend all!

This weeks project for a past client of Enerwise Homes. The lumber used for these fir stairs was reclaimed from trees which had to be removed to build the home. Building homes in on beautiful Happy Friday and have a great weekend all!

Yet another customer receives a rebate for building energy efficient. Pictured in our latest photo are Ed and Ilsa (the homeowners) and Tessa of .energy ,our energy adviser who makes it all possible. One more to add to the wall of rebate photos. Building homes in on .

Spring is in the air which means change is on the horizon and it feels like a year for positive change already. Enerwise homes has begun the pathway to certification for Passive House. Our company has a passion for quality, energy efficiency and believes in health and safety for occupants of our homes. Building homes in and the region.

Great News!! Part way through our latest project and our mid construction blower door test reveals we are exceeding our airtightness targets thanks to care and attention to details. This has unintentionally opened up the possibility of being upgraded from a BC energy step code 3, our current target, to a step 4 which would increase our clients rebate from $4000 to $6000!! Taking a little extra time and pride pays, Literally!! Through testing, certification and compliance Enerwise Homes and our team of expert trades are building a track record of proof to give our clients confidence to rely on a job well done.

There are incredible grants out there for building, it pays to go energy efficient with your build, in more ways than one 😉

FortisBC New Home Program - Better Homes BC The FortsBC New Home Step Code Incentives are available for homes with building permits after March 29, 2018. Learn more about the program here.

Ok its not a $10000 rebate like we saw for our previous Step code 5 build, but how about a $4000 rebate from which covers the cost of upgrades from a BC building code minimum to achieve this level of energy efficiency at an energy Step code 3, (approx. 20% more energy efficient than code minimum). It was a pleasure to work for such great clients. Pictured below is the happy recipient of a $4000 rebate in her brand new home. I think of getting a step code certification kind of like getting a builders test, if you do not put the quality in behind the drywall and use good trades you wont pass. Love Step code

Had a great time building this Step code 3 home for some fantastic clients! Step 3 is at least 20% more energy efficient than a code minimum home and will ensure this client gets a rebate of about 4000$ which more than pays for the minor upgrades needed to achieve this level of energy efficiency. When you purchase a car typically you wish to know the mileage, why would you not want the same information about your potentially biggest purchase of your life? Couple pics of Energuide ratings for this build and one for a net zero build incase you might be interested in breaking down some of the information on energy efficiency.

This was a nice surprise today being recognized by the Canadian Home Builders Association for building excellence and standards pertaining to energy efficiency, a field I am passionate about. Special thanks to Tessa hall of Ecolibrium Energy Solutions Inc. for nominating me and providing sound advice on energy efficient building practices, and Zirnhelt Timber Frames for providing and erecting a high quality framing package with tight weather barrier, and the rest of our trades including Rick Wittenberg of A Batt Above Insulation for putting in the care and attention to detail to achieve high standards in air tightness using standard building materials and not having to resort to expensive solutions.

Enerwise Homes updated their info in the about section.

Want a $10,000 Cheque? build to step 5 of BC step code! Pictured below is the proud recipients of a 10k cheque and owners of newly built step 5 home general contracted by Enerwise Homes and built here in Port Alberni! For those unfamiliar with step code, step 5 is the highest level of energy performance in the BC step code and this is code compliant to the year 2032. Clean BC rebates are quite substantial at the higher steps. It takes care and attention to detail to achieve this level of energy efficiency and a good team of trades all working toward the same goals. Special thanks to Ecolibrium Energy Solutions Inc. our energy advisor for this project.