OVERVIEW

Developer: The Now House Project Inc.

Home Owner: John Van Dusen

Location: Toronto, Ontario

Building type(s): detached single family home

Size: 89.5 m² plus basement

Project scope: retrofit of WWII era home

Completion date: February, 2008

Rating: LEED certifiable

Now House is retrofitting an existing 60-year-old WWII house into a near zero energy home – one that produces almost as much energy as it uses. Because wartime houses were built to standardized plans, the retrofit formula for one can be applied to many. The team will start with one house, then a community of wartime houses, then millions of houses across Canada and the U.S.

Now House™ demonstrates how home owners and contractors can dramatically improve the energy efficiency of existing homes with a few relatively simple modifications.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS

Now House™ is one of 12 winning teams from across Canada in Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) Net Zero Energy Healthy House design competition, now called EQuilibrium sustainable housing initiative.

The Now House™ will achieve the following results:

Reduce GHG emissions by 5.4 tons. Through building envelope upgrades, and electrical plug load reductions will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from 9.7 to 4.3 tons annually.

Achieve an annual energy cost of zero. Produce solar energy in the summer to offset cost of gas used in winter, therefore, protecting the mid to lower-income homeowners of wartime houses against rising energy costs well into the future. 

Reduce plug load by 59.8%. Use EnergyStar appliances, CFLs and LED lighting, kill switches, and a heat recovery ventilator.

Reduce heat loss to achieve EGHrating of 84 (Canadian rating is 1 – 100 with higher number better). Envelope upgrades will reduce air leakage from 4.61 air exchanges per hour to 1.5. 

Produce energy on site from renewable resources. Add solar PV and solar thermal systems.

Use minimal new resources and produce minimal waste. Insulation and materials will be sourced locally. Siding will be reused. Waste materials will be recycled. Water use will be reduced through efficient appliances, low-flow fixtures, water collectors, and landscaping.

Improve indoor air quality. 
 New operable windows and a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) will ensure fresh air circulation.