Second Year of BOMA Canada’s Net-Zero Challenge Announced

Published on March 29, 2019

The second year of the Net-Zero Challenge from the Building Owners and Managers Association of Canada (BOMA Canada) was recently publicized, and is now taking applications.

The Net-Zero Challenge is supported by Natural Resources Canada, and it recognizes buildings that have significantly improved their energy performance, and those that have already achieved high levels of energy efficiency or innovation.  

On September 11, at the BOMA Canada National Awards Gala, awards will be given to buildings in three different categories: Best in Class, Innovation, and Most Improved.

The Best in Class category is for buildings that have demonstrated their progression towards being Net-Zero Energy, while also being at the forefront of the industry.

The category for Innovation is for buildings that have introduced new and exceptional strategies of conserving energy, as well as for buildings that have incorporated onsite renewable energy sources that are able to generate a significant amount of energy while still being able to make a return on investment.

And finally, the Most Improved category is for the buildings that substantially improve their energy efficiency and performance over their own previous baseline.

For a building to be classified as Net-Zero Energy, it must combine high levels of energy efficiency, with onsite renewable energy sources capable of producing as much energy as the home consumes over a 12 month period.

To affordably achieve such high levels of energy efficiency, a Net-Zero Energy home must utilize the newest and most efficient technologies and strategies on the market.

The demand for these new technologies, along with programs such as BOMA’s Net-Zero Challenge, are helping to push the envelope of energy efficiency innovation.

John Smiciklas, Director of Energy and Environment for BOMA Canada, has said that Net-Zero Energy buildings are the future for the building industry, and that the future is happening now.  

He also added that the uptake of the Net-Zero Challenge is telling of us heading in the right direction.

Use Net-Zero Energy Strategies to Save Money at Home

A Net-Zero Energy home or building uses a number of different strategies in order to achieve such high level of energy efficiency. This includes: high levels of airtightness, dedicated ventilation, and strong insulation.

Many of the energy efficiency strategies that are used in a Net-Zero Home can also be used to affordably improve the energy efficiency and utility cost for the average homeowner in Ontario.

The first step towards making energy efficiency improvements and a lower utility bill is to have an Energy Assessment conducted by a Registered Energy Advisor. This provides you with an indepth look at your home’s energy performance, and it highlights trouble areas while suggesting the most cost-effective solution possible.

By making energy efficiency improvements, you may notice that your home not only has a lower operational cost, but also that it is more comfortable, that humidity is better controlled, and that the interior air quality has improved.

Additionally, an Energy Assessment from Barrier Sciences Group can help your home qualify for up to $5000 of home renovation rebates through either the Home Energy Conservation Program from Enbridge Gas, or the Union Gas Home Reno Rebate Program (depending on your utility provider).

We offer free phone consultations to help you get started, and our Registered Energy Advisors are happy to answer any questions you may have about improving your home’s energy performance, lowering your utility bill, or what rebates you are applicable to you.