--- title: "Net Zero Homes: Are they the future of building?" description: Net Zero homes are up to 80% more energy efficient than a typical new home build and it is known to produce as much energy as it consumes. Get ahead of the curve and start considering a Net Zero home for your next custom build. image: https://blog.normerica.com/hubfs/Ridout%20ext_3416.3.2.jpg --- - [Custom Homes](https://normerica.com/custom-homes/) - [Semi Custom Homes](https://normerica.com/semi-custom-homes/) - [Mass Timber](https://normerica.com/mass-timber/) - [Meet Normerica](https://normerica.com/meet-normerica/) - [Our Process +](https://normerica.com/our-process/) - [Overview](https://normerica.com/our-process/) - [Construction Options](https://normerica.com/our-process/construction-options/) - [How We Manufacture](https://normerica.com/our-process/how-we-manufacture/) - [Our Materials Building Solution](https://normerica.com/materials-shell-package/) - [Cost of Building Your Timber Frame Retreat](https://normerica.com/cost-of-timber-frame-home/) - [Architects & Builders](https://normerica.com/architects-builders/) - [Blog](https://blog.normerica.com/blog) - [Contact Us](https://normerica.com/contact-us/) Menu - [Custom Homes](https://normerica.com/custom-homes/) - [Semi Custom Homes](https://normerica.com/semi-custom-homes/) - [Mass Timber](https://normerica.com/mass-timber/) - [Meet Normerica](https://normerica.com/meet-normerica/) - [Our Process +](https://normerica.com/our-process/) - [Overview](https://normerica.com/our-process/) - [Construction Options](https://normerica.com/our-process/construction-options/) - [How We Manufacture](https://normerica.com/our-process/how-we-manufacture/) - [Our Materials Building Solution](https://normerica.com/materials-shell-package/) - [Cost of Building Your Timber Frame Retreat](https://normerica.com/cost-of-timber-frame-home/) - [Architects & Builders](https://normerica.com/architects-builders/) - [Blog](https://blog.normerica.com/blog) - [Contact Us](https://normerica.com/contact-us/) # Net Zero Homes: Are they the future of building? 27 Jun, 2018 ![Ridout ext_3416.3.2](https://blog.normerica.com/hubfs/Ridout%20ext_3416.3.2.jpg) A net zero home is a home that generates the same amount of energy it uses, and it is a big step for the future of living. Making buildings and industrial sectors [more eco-friendly](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/have-you-considered-an-environmentally-friendly-home) will help reduce the impact on climate change.  As we all know countries around the world are committed to the environment and willing to become as environmentally friendly as possible. In Ontario, Canada, [Net Zero homes are expected to be the future of the province](https://tvo.org/article/current-affairs/are-net-zero-homes-the-future-of-ontario-living), but the high cost is still a big concern. This article by TVO explains the state of the economy in Ontario and the future of building homes in this province and across the country. There is an ongoing trend of green building practices that are inspiring building, design and construction communities. Together they are approaching the point where achieving net zero energy for new homes is technically viable. [Delphi’s research for the CaGBC study](https://www.cagbc.org/cagbcdocs/advocacy/Green_Building_in_Canada_CaGBC_and_Delphi_Report_Executive_Summary.pdf) provides an overview of the economic contributions of the green building sector in Canada. The study shows the current status of activities in Canada’s green building sector as well as provides an overview of the evolution of the sector, current trends and market opportunities such as costs, risks and barriers to growth. A net zero home is such a high performance building with high energy efficiency that the renewable system will either offset all or most of your current annual energy consumption.  Get ahead of the curve and start considering a Net Zero home for your next custom build. [Download the Residential Construction](https://download.normerica.com/residential-construction-guide-3) or the [Construction Guide for Builders and Architects](https://download.normerica.com/builders-construction-guide?hsCtaTracking=c863ec48-cd52-43ee-a378-8d1379de7070%7Ca12e28f5-97d1-4f2c-8882-846721a6bb32) to discover how energy efficient [Normerica Timber Homes & Cottages](https://www.normerica.com/) can be. --- ### Net Zero Homes and Timber Frame Construction: Your Questions Answered Q: What is a net zero home? A net zero home is a highly energy-efficient home that produces as much energy as it consumes over the course of a year — typically by combining a very tight, well-insulated building envelope with a renewable energy system such as solar panels. The goal is to offset all or most of the home's annual energy consumption through on-site generation, resulting in a net energy balance of zero. Net zero homes represent the leading edge of residential construction in terms of energy performance. Q: Is timber frame construction compatible with net zero home standards? Yes — timber frame construction is well suited to net zero performance when paired with the right building systems. Normerica's wall and roof systems are designed specifically to support high-performance construction: the insulated wall panels and cathedral roof system create an airtight, highly insulated building envelope that minimizes heat loss and reduces the energy load the home needs to offset. The system is Energy Star certified and compatible with net zero home construction. Q: What makes a home qualify as net zero? Achieving net zero requires two things working together: a building envelope that dramatically reduces energy demand, and a renewable energy system that generates enough power to cover what remains. The building envelope — walls, roof, windows, and air sealing — is the foundation. A poorly insulated home requires a much larger and more expensive renewable system to offset its energy use. This is why the quality of insulation and airtightness is the critical first step in any net zero build. Q: Are net zero homes more expensive to build? The upfront cost of a net zero home is typically higher than a conventionally built home due to the higher-performance building systems and renewable energy components required. However, the long-term operating costs are significantly lower — in some cases approaching zero for energy bills. For custom home buyers with a long-term ownership horizon, the investment in net zero performance can be cost-effective over the life of the home. The cost premium has also been decreasing as high-performance building systems and solar technology have become more mainstream. Q: Why should someone building a custom timber frame home consider net zero performance? For buyers investing in a custom timber frame home — a build designed to last for generations — net zero performance is a natural fit. The same values that drive the choice of timber frame construction (quality, durability, long-term thinking) align well with the investment in a high-performance building envelope. Normerica's building systems are already engineered to support net zero compatibility, making it a more accessible upgrade for timber frame builds than for conventionally constructed homes. ---   ## About Normerica Since 1979, Normerica has created the highest quality timber frame homes and buildings across North America and around the world. Our decades of timber frame experience and expert in-house design capabilities have given us the ability to offer a high level of customization and design flexibility – a key advantage of timber frame homes and post and beam construction.  ### Recent Posts ### Categories - [Bungalow](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/bungalow) - [Cathedral Ceiling](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/cathedral-ceiling) - [Choosing a Custom Home Builder](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/choosing-a-custom-home-builder) - [Construction Financing](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/construction-financing) - [Contemporary Homes](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/contemporary-homes) - [Cost of Building a Timber Frame Home](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/cost-of-building-a-timber-frame-home) - [Cottage](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/cottage) - [Cottage Life Show](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/cottage-life-show) - [Custom Timber Frame Home Blog](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/custom-timber-frame-home-blog) - [Environmentally Friendly Home](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/environmentally-friendly-home) - [Featured Publications](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/featured-publications) - [Great Room](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/great-room) - [Green Building](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/green-building) - [Green House](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/green-house) - [House Designs](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/house-designs) - [House Plans](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/house-plans) - [How To Build A Custom Home](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/how-to-build-a-custom-home) - [Lakeside Cottage](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/lakeside-cottage) - [Modern House Plans](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/modern-house-plans) - [Net Zero Homes](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/net-zero-homes) - [Post and Beam Construction](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/post-and-beam-construction) - [Promotions](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/promotions) - [Screened-In Porch](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/screened-in-porch) - [Shows](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/shows) - [Timber Frame Homes To Love](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/timber-frame-homes-to-love) - [Timber Frame House Plans](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/timber-frame-house-plans) - [Timber Framing Experts](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/timber-framing-experts) - [Traditional House Plans](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/traditional-house-plans) - [Waterfront Cottage](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/tag/waterfront-cottage) Interested in Our Custom Homes? Start a conversation! ![](https://blog.normerica.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Normerica_updated_blog_theme_52_pickup/images/green-arrow.svg) ![](https://blog.normerica.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Normerica_updated_blog_theme_52_pickup/images/start-a-conversation-iamge.jpg) ### Read Further [![Customized Normerica Rocklyn timber frame home on Georgian Bay in winter, featuring a two-storey window wall and four-season sunroom addition](https://blog.normerica.com/hubfs/IMG_5574.jpeg) A View Worth Building For: A Customized Rocklyn on Georgian Bay Normerica Timber Homes 07 Jul, 2026 / 3 min read](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/a-view-worth-building-for-a-customized-rocklyn-on-georgian-bay) [![What Does a Timber Frame Home Actually Cost? A Complete Guide to Budgeting Your Build](https://blog.normerica.com/hubfs/Cost%20of%20Building%20a%20Timber%20Frame%20Home%20Blog%20Normerica%20Header%20Update%202-1.png) What Does a Timber Frame Home Actually Cost? Normerica Timber Homes 20 Jul, 2026 / 7 min read](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/understanding-the-true-cost-of-building-your-dream-timber-frame-home) [![best of cottage designs muskoka room screened in porch three season room lakeside living](https://blog.normerica.com/hubfs/Rennie.jpg) Building a Muskoka Room / Screened In Porch in Your Timber Frame Home Normerica Timber Homes 08 Apr, 2022 / 10 min read](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/cottage-designs-muskoka-room-screened-in-porch) [![Up to $130,000 in HST relief on a new custom timber frame home — exterior view of a Normerica timber frame home surrounded by mature trees and landscaping](https://blog.normerica.com/hubfs/Normerica%20HST%20Blog%20Banner%20June%2026%202026.png) Up to $130,000 in HST Relief on a New Build…Here’s What We Know Normerica Timber Homes 23 Jun, 2026 / 6 min read](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/hst-relief-new-build-ontario) [![mar14_fusstruss](https://blog.normerica.com/hubfs/mar14_fusstruss.jpg) The Fuss About Trusses normerica\_ 10 Mar, 2014 / 1 min read](https://blog.normerica.com/blog/the-fuss-about-trusses) ## Office [645 Veterans Drive, Unit H Barrie, Ontario Canada L4N 9H8](https://maps.app.goo.gl/hXRbfndK6bWDA8Qd8) [info@normerica.com](mailto:info@normerica.com) [+1 (800) 361-7449](tel:+18003617449) [+1 (705) 431-4710](tel:+17054314710) ## Opening Hours Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm By appointment only. (including evenings and weekends). ## Discover Homes - [Custom Homes](http://localhost:8888/normerica/public/custom-homes/) - [Semi Custom Homes](http://localhost:8888/normerica/public/semi-custom-homes/) - [Mass Timber](http://localhost:8888/normerica/public/mass-timber/) ## Learn More - [Meet Normerica](http://localhost:8888/normerica/public/meet-normerica/) - [Our Process](http://localhost:8888/normerica/public/our-process/) - [Architects & Builders](http://localhost:8888/normerica/public/architects-builders/) - [Blog](http://localhost:8888/normerica/public/blog/) - [Contact Us](http://localhost:8888/normerica/public/contact-us/) ## Resources - [Meet Normerica](http://localhost:8888/normerica/public/meet-normerica/) - [Careers](http://localhost:8888/normerica/public/careers/) - [FAQ](http://localhost:8888/normerica/public/faq/) - [Privacy Policy](http://localhost:8888/normerica/public/privacy-policy/) © Normerica 2024. 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