This document summarizes a presentation given by Woytek Kujawski from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) about CMHC's EQuilibrium sustainable housing initiative. The initiative involves building and monitoring energy efficient, net zero homes across Canada to demonstrate renewable energy technologies. It aims to reduce homeowners' energy needs through passive solar design and efficient materials and appliances. Market research found 90% of respondents interested in such homes. The presentation described several case study homes built for the initiative that incorporate solar power and energy efficient features.

1. Green Building Festival, Toronto
September 10, 2008
Woytek Kujawski, M.Arch, LEEDTM AP
Senior Researcher
Sustainable Housing Policy and Research
www.cmhc.ca

2. CMHC’s Policy and Research Division
 Over 60 years of housing research
 Research areas include:
 Efficiency of Housing Markets  Research is posted on
 Needs of Communities CMHC’s website at
 Needs of individuals www.cmhc.ca
 Building Performance and  Our latest initiative is :
Technology
 Improved Data
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

3. CMHC’s EQuilibriumTM Sustainable Housing
Demonstration Initiative
 National residential design-build-
demonstrate-monitor initiative led by
CMHC
The Now HouseTM
 To develop homes, and eventually Toronto, ON
communities
With benefits for future generations
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

4. CMHC’s EQuilibriumTM Sustainable Housing
Demonstration Initiative
Health
Indoor air quality
Daylighting
Noise Control
Core principles: Water Quality
 Health and comfort
 Energy efficiency
 Resource conservation
 Environmental impact
 Affordability
Energy
Total Net Annual Energy Consumption
Renewable Energy Strategy
Peak Electricity Demand
Embodied Energy Strategy
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

5. CMHC’s EQuilibriumTM Sustainable Housing
Demonstration Initiative – Vision
 Aims to reduce the homeowner’s need for Solar hot water
energy collectors
 Uses readily available technologies
 Can be applied to a variety of housing
models
 Build interest and capacity within the industry Slab hot water radiant
heat distribution
system
Photovoltaic roofing
tiles
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

6. Features of an EQuilibriumTM House
EQTM incorporates:
 Climate-specific passive solar design
 Energy and resource-efficient construction
methods, materials and appliances
to build the best building first and only then use
the technologies such as
 Integrated renewable energy systems
to achieve net zero energy goal and even sell
the excess of energy
ÉcoTerraTM
Eastman, QC
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

7. Benefits
Homeowner benefits:
 Lower utility bills Avalon Discovery 3
Red Deer, AB
 Healthier space
 Additional, renewable sources of energy
 Greener choice for the environment
A better future with all above
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

8. Benefits
Builder benefits:
 Establish a reputation
 Meet the needs of Canadians
Community benefits:
 Reduction of infrastructure
 Reduction of costs
 Healthy & liveable communities
 Land, water and habitat conservation
 Protection of existing ecosystems
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

9. CMHC’s EQuilibriumTM Sustainable Housing
Demonstration Initiative – Context
EQuilibriumTM Market Research Findings based
on approx 2300 respondents
 90% are interested in an EQuilibriumTM-type
home
 86% are interested in a residence that uses
alternative energy sources
 48% better for environment
 34% cheaper to operate
 81% of those planning to renovate are
interested in improving energy efficiency
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

10. The Demonstration Projects
72 20 12 + current Second Phase = ?
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

11. The Demonstration Projects
The Laebon CHESS Project: Case Study # 1
An energy-efficient bungalow
Red Deer, AB
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

12. The Demonstration Projects
Riverdale NetZero Project: Case Study # 2
An energy-efficient duplex
Downtown Edmonton, AB
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

13. The Demonstration Projects
Inspiration - The Minto EcoHome: Case Study # 3
A single family home
Ottawa, ON
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

14. The Demonstration Projects
ÉcoTerraTM:
A two-storey detached home
Eastman, QC
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

15. The Demonstration Projects
Avalon Discovery 3:
A single family home
Red Deer, AB
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

16. The Demonstration Projects
Alstonvale Net Zero House:
A single-family detached house
Hudson, QC
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

17. The Demonstration Projects
The Now HouseTM:
Retrofit of a 60 year old wartime house
Toronto, ON
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

18. The Demonstration Projects
Abondance le Soleil:
An energy and resource-efficient
triplex
Verdun, QC
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

19. The Demonstration Projects
Urban Ecology:
An infill project
Winnipeg, MB
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

20. The Demonstration Projects
Top of the Annex TownHomes:
Three energy-efficient townhomes
Downtown Toronto, ON
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

21. The Demonstration Projects
Echo Haven:
A complete community of 25 healthy, low-impact homes
Calgary, AB
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

22. The Demonstration Projects
YIPI! Net Zero Footprint Housing:
A durable infill-ready house
Prince Albert, SK
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

23. www.cmhc.ca type EQ in a Search box
1 800 668 2642