Parliamentary Secretary Rudd Celebrates the Success of the Net-Zero Energy Housing Demonstration Project

OTTAWA, March 9, 2016 /CNW/ - Parliamentary Secretary Kim Rudd, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Carr, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today delivered remarks celebrating the successful conclusion of the largest net-zero energy housing demonstration project in Canada.

Through this project, as of spring 2016, a total of 26 energy-efficient homes and condominium units will have been built across Canada in Calgary, Guelph, Ottawa, Laval and Halifax. Parliamentary Secretary Rudd congratulated Owens Corning Canada and the five participating home builders on the success of the project, which received $1.96 million through Natural Resources Canada's ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative.

Net-zero energy housing leverages energy-efficient technologies, such as photovoltaic panels, airtight construction with improved insulation and  ground and air source heat pumps, to produce at least as much energy as they consume on an annual basis, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The demonstration project shows the viability and cost-effectiveness of net-zero energy housing technologies, in addition to the significant energy reduction and savings that this type of housing can generate for home owners.   

Quick Facts

• Natural Resources Canada's ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative has been involved in low-energy and net-zero energy housing research for more than a decade, working with industry on energy technologies to provide housing solutions that reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Through Mission Innovation, Canada and 19 other governments have agreed to double their respective investments in transformative, clean energy research and development over five years, encourage private sector investment in clean energy technology, and increase collaboration among participating countries.
• The Government of Canada is committed to investing an additional $100 million each year in clean technology producers and tackling Canada's most pressing environmental challenges. The Government will also invest an additional $200 million each year to support innovation and the use of clean technologies in the natural resources sector.

Quotes

"Congratulations to Owens Corning Canada, the five participating home builders and the many important players involved in this impressive project. Our government proudly shares your vision of energy-efficient home construction. These net-zero energy homes will reduce our environmental footprint, create clean jobs of the future and help Canada become a global leader in low-carbon energy."

Kim Rudd
Parliamentary Secretary

Associated Links

• Science at Work Video: Net-Zero Energy Houses
• Net Zero Energy homes
• Canada's Action on Climate Change

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

Laurel Munroe, Office of the Minister of Natural Resources, 343-292-6837; Media Relations, Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, 343-292-6100