Renewing Homes

In this episode of Renewing Homes, I explore the lessons from the CHBA’s Towards Net-Zero Renovation Initiative, a multi-year effort to demonstrate what is possible when building science, planning, and skilled teams come together to tackle residential retrofits. The initiative brought together builders, energy advisors, designers, and other industry professionals to develop and implement deep energy renovations across existing homes. But the goal was about more than achieving a particular energ

In this episode of Renewing Homes, I’m joined by Nathan Horton of One Click Energy Solutions and Jason Rowley of BC Hydro to explore one of the biggest barriers to residential electrification: electrical service capacity. As more homeowners look to install heat pumps, EV chargers, and other electric technologies, many are told they need costly electrical service upgrades before they can move forward. But is that always the case? Nathan and Jason explain how energy management systems

In this episode of Renewing Homes, I sit down with Peter Darlington of Solar Homes and Cooper Le of 4 Elements to explore Peter's journey from stucco contractor to one of Canada's leading residential retrofit specialists. What began as curiosity about net zero homes led Peter to undertake one of Canada's first CHBA Net Zero labelled renovations on his own home… Several years before the label even existed! That experience transformed his business and continues to shape how he approaches res

In this episode of Renewing Homes, I sit down with Michael Ridler, Stephen Magneron, and Fellipe Falluh to explore where hydronic systems fit within residential retrofits. We discuss hydronic heating and cooling, distribution methods, air-to-water heat pumps, thermal storage, zoning, and how hydronics compare to conventional forced-air systems. The conversation also examines the role hydronics could play in an increasingly electrified future. From demand-side management and peak load reduc

Most people think comfort comes down to the number on the thermostat. In reality, it's a lot more complicated than that. In this episode, I’m joined by Allison Bailes and Nate Adams to explore what actually makes a home comfortable. We discuss thermal comfort, mean radiant temperature, humidity, air movement, HVAC system design, and why two homes set to the same temperature can feel completely different. Along the way, we dig into common misconceptions, practical retrofit strategies, an

The conversation delves into the significance of the Integrated Design Process (IDP) in residential retrofits, emphasizing its role in project management, planning, and the avoidance of poorly managed and executed projects. The value of IDP in residential renovations is highlighted, along with the quantification of its benefits. The conversation emphasizes the importance of investing in the plan and continuous communication throughout the project. It highlights the need for intentional spending