Net Zero Retrofit Planning Process

Step 1 - Contract  
The process begins after a contract has been signed. For single unit residential houses the fee is $550.00 CAN (after the Greener Homes Grant) for a Net Zero Retrofit (NZR) plan. For other buildings an estimate will be provided. This service is available in Canada.

Step 2 - Site Visit 

An NRCan certified energy advisor  visits the site building to gather the site component information such as building component size, age & issues (eg. worn out air handling unit, furnace, boiler, lighting, windows).

Step 3 - Energy Analysis 

The building's energy usage is modeled to determine the original annual base load. A report that identifies the load mixture by component and fuel is developed and provided.

Step 4 - Lifecycle Analysis 

Ages of components are established or estimated and their remaining life is estimated. This step determines the likely date of their replacement which is critical in minimizing replacement costs.

Step 5 - Develop ECMs

Energy Conservation Measures (replacement components) are proposed and analyzed to determine if they can be economically added to the building to reduce energy requirements (eg. a heat pump may be proposed to replace a central air conditioner). These results are summarized in the Upgrade Report.

Step 6 - Reporting

A plan is developed to show how to move your building to Net Zero. This Net Zero Retrofit (NZR) plan identifies the costs for the replacement  components, their proposed date of replacement, annual and lifetime savings, payback and the estimated reduced Green House Gas (GHG) production associated with each ECM and site renewable energy generation. See reports below;

Step 7 - Implementation Project Management 

In Canada local experienced general contractors can be referred for project implementation of various upgrades (heat pumps, solar panels) for owners that manage their own purchases or BST can project manage upgrades like switching a natural gas furnace to a heat pump with offsetting solar panels, electrical panel upgrades and net metering arrangements with the local utility.

 

Note that our service provides the NZR analysis and planning. Consequently decisions are independent of manufacturer or contractor bias. You receive the best advice independent of other influences.

Note - Net Zero also means you have to most likely use renewable fuels (typically solar). This is also a fuel transition plan.
<---- Example House

This example house is located in Ottawa Ontario - pertinent data from the analysis is shown below. This house is currently heated with natural gas.

Example Report
- All 3 reports (below) constitute a BST complete report.
Base Case - Click Here - This NRCan report provides the building's existing energy estimates.
Suggested Upgrades- Click Here _this NRCan report outlines the proposed energy conservation measures and their annual savings.
Plan and Metrics - Click Here - This BST report outlines the costs, return on investment, reduction in GHGs and plan to acheive Net Zero.
See our fee webpage to discover the costs for Net Zero and/or fuel transition planning.