Jun 2021 Decarb Lunch Podcast: The Builders Have Spoken: The Cost of High-Performance Construction

May 2021 Decarb Lunch Podcast: Building a High-Performance Home – Does it Cost More?
July 29, 2021
Marketing the High-Performance Home
August 31, 2021
May 2021 Decarb Lunch Podcast: Building a High-Performance Home – Does it Cost More?
July 29, 2021
Marketing the High-Performance Home
August 31, 2021

Season 1 Episode 4

Recorded at Past Event: Jun 25 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm





Overview

When the Step Code was introduced, some concerns were raised regarding the expected additional cost to build more energy- efficient buildings. At the time, some studies were undertaken to estimate the additional cost. As opposed to estimating what a high-efficiency building is likely to cost, ZEBx, in partnership with BTY Group and seven builders from across BC, has completed a cost analysis of seven high-performance, wood-framed, mid-rise, multi-unit residential buildings that were designed to meet Step 4 of the Energy Step Code or the Passive House standard. The results of the study may surprise you!

This event was a collaboration with the Urban Development Institute and RDH Building Science.


Speakers

Jeff Fisher, M.PL., CAE, MCIP, RPP

Jeff Fisher is a Vice President and Senior Policy Advisor with UDI Pacific Region. UDI is a non-profit and non-partisan industry association of the residential, commercial and industrial builders. Prior to joining UDI, Jeff was a Senior Policy Advisor with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. Before that, he worked in the B.C. and Ontario legislatures.

Jeff sits on several Provincial Government committees such as the Development Approvals Review Working Group and the Energy Step Code Advisory Council.

Jeff holds a Bachelor’s in Political Science from the University of Toronto and a Master’s in Urban Regional Planning from Queen’s University. He is also a Registered Professional Planner and a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners, as well as a Certified Association Executive.


Monte Paulsen, CPHC, PHI Building Certifier

Monte is among Canada’s most experienced Passive House professionals. He leads a multi-city Passive House team that has consulted on or certified more than 90 projects—totalling 7 million square feet—including homes, offices, affordable mid-rise buildings, and luxury high-rise buildings. Recent projects include the Vancouver Art Gallery and a pair of dormitories at the University of Victoria

Monte is also a veteran Passive House Trainer who has helped more than 100 professionals earn their Certified Passive House Designer (CPHD) credential. His courses range from a one-day Passive House 101 overview to the multi-day workshop A Pattern Language for Passive House, which focuses on how to design and construct Passive House buildings for less

Monte was a founding board member and volunteer at the not-for-profit organization Passive House Canada, and previously managed his own Passive House consulting firm, which merged with RDH in 2016.


Roberto Pecora, P.Eng., CEM, LEED AP, SMT, ZEBx Director of Programs

Roberto’s journey through the building industry extends back almost two decades and includes stops in Ottawa and Montreal before settling in Vancouver ten years ago. He has extensive experience in both new construction and existing buildings. Roberto has successfully taken on project management roles for subcontractors, a general contractor and a national project management firm. In the eight years before joining ZEBx, he worked in the building science group of a national consulting engineering firm, specializing in building assessments, capital planning, asset management and most recently, energy studies and energy management. Roberto is very well acquainted with the real estate, property management, consulting and construction industries. Most importantly, he has a deep-rooted desire in transforming the building industry to reduce its impact on climate change.