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Site 1 Balzac Solar And EV
Lovely estate home with solar, a wind turbine, and electric vehicles.
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Solar thermal collector on the wall, composting barrels, and ground mount solar, .
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The homeowner described the systems to visitors.
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He regularly teaches about the efficiency of electric vehicles and has a classroom in the "frunk."
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They also planted 200 trees, and have a large rainwater collection pond.
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Site 2 Ranchlands NZR Retrofit
The homeowner was on hand to describe the features of his home.
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Deep energy retrofit of a 45 year old home to get it to net zero ready. Adding solar will take it to NZE.
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Insulation was added to the exterior and efficient windows were added.
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There were pictures of the construction and details of the systems installed.
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Part of the renovation was to add an addition to the front of the house.
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Site 3 Silver Springs NZR
The home was upgraded to net-zero ready with new exterior insulation and windows. Will achieve NZE once solar is installed.
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 Part of the upgrade was to electrify the home with an air source heat pump. |
 They also added a radon removal system. This fan runs continuously to depressurize the soil and vent radon. |
 The homeowner explains the washer/dryer combo unit. |
A view from the back of the home.
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Site 4 Varsity NZE Retrofit
Deep energy retrofit to get this home all the way to NZE.
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The homeower was on hand to explain. "This cost about as much as a large pickup truck, but this pays me back!"
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 The builder explains the air source heat pump and the air source heat pump hot water tank. |
 Here is the external part of the air source heat pump. No issues on the coldest days. |
The insulation was added to the exterior of the home and windows were upgraded. Note the wall thickness.
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Site 5 St Andrews NZE Retrofit
This home is undegoing a complete retrofit to NZE.
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This called a "Larsen Truss" system that adds insulation space to the outside of the walls.
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The homeowner was on hand to explain. The house is under construction so you can see the complete layout.
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The large garage will have a heated section with gym.
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Drone shot of the construction a few weeks before the tour.
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Site 6 Highland Park NZE Townhomes
These NZE townhomes will have 9 units between the front and the back building.
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The townhomes were under construction during the tour.
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The builder was on hand to describe the townhomes.
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Describing the basement walls which are made with polystyrene foam and steel studs, less CO2 than concrete.
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The back building has three more townhomes and three large garages.
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Site 7 Bragg Creek NZR Home
Large net-zero ready home on the hills west of Bragg Creek. Will be NZE with the addition of solar.
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The homeowners were on hand to show visitors around their home.
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A lovely view to the east towards Bragg Creek.
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They installed two air source to hydronic heat pumps but it turns out only one is needed.
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They have their own wastewater treatment plant (foreground) to protect the local environment.
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Site 8 Bragg Creek NNZ Home Lovely near-net zero home. Too many trees and shading to get enough solar to go NZE. |
Lovely open-plan design with lots of light.
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The homeowners were on hand to show their home to visitors.
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This home is in the flood plain by the river and does not have a basement.
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Tucked into the woods with a greenhouse, chickens, and lots of space for kids to play.
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Site 9 Okotoks NZE Retrofit Home
This old farmhouse (age unknown) was renovated to NZE.
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Unusual open plan interior with free standing walls and exposed rafters.
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This year they added an air source heat pump which gives them air conditioning and heating (last year only resistance heaters).
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The homeowners showed us their greenhouse. It has earth tubes to help maintain temperature for a longer growing season.
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Lovely little NZE house in the country.
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Site 10 Southland Solar and EV Home
This home features enough solar to offset their entire electric bill, however the house has not been upgraded yet.
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The solar is on this large pergola which is on top of the garage.
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The bi-facial solar panels have a glass backing which lets the light filter through and create a lovely deck area.
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The solar modules are connected to micro-inverters which are mounted on the undeside of the pergola.
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The homeowner is an electric car enthusiast. Here is his Nissan Leaf. On the wall is a collection of matchbox electric cars.
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Site 11 Chinook Park NZR Retrofit Home
This home was upgraded to net-zero ready status. They can get to NZE with the addition of solar.
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The homeowners were on hand to show visitors their home. Note the thickness of the exterior insulation in the window wells.
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 The home is all electric with an air source heat pump and air source heat pump hot water tank. |
They have chickens and bees in the back yard.
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A drone shot from a few weeks before the tour.
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Site 12 Lakeview Retrofit Home
This home updated its insulation and windows but maintains its conventional heating system.
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Enthusiastic greeters welcomed visitors to the home.
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 An electric air source heat pump water heater has been added. The furnace is a relatively-new high efficiency gas unit. |
 Part of the upgrade was a radon removal system. This fan continuously depressurizes the soil under the home to vent potential radon. |
The builder describes the upgrades to this part of the home where a large fireplace was removed.
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Site 13 Bowness NZE Townhomes
There will be 8 rental units in this NZE townhome development. The entire front lawn is being planted to strawberries.
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The interior of an upstairs unit. Windows are high on the wall to protect the privacy of the neighbors.
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 Each unit has its own small air source heat pump and HRV, while the hot water tank is shared between two suites. |
 The external units for the air source heat pumps. This lane is being planted with fruit trees. |
This drone shot shows the building-intergrated solar being installed. This waterproof system replaces the shingles on the roof.
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Want to see more?Here are the links to the 2025 Edmonton tour pictures.You can also see our 2021 virtual tour videos on the Videos and Definitions page. |