Project Overview
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Project Name: South Riverdale Family Home Toronto
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Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Property Type: Semi-detached Home
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Square Footage: 1800ft2
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Year Built: 1913
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Renovation Completed: 2016 (initial renovation) with ongoing improvements.
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Motivation for Renovation: The homeowner wanted to enhance energy efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of their family home.
Home Overview and Details
Mid Renovation – Still on its Journey to Net Zero
This 1913 semi-detached family home, nestled in the charming South Riverdale neighborhood, boasts three bedrooms and three bathrooms, perfectly suited for a family of three.
The journey to Net Zero for this home has been incremental. Originally, the home struggled with excessive energy consumption and heat loss stemming from outdated building standards. Low insulation R-values and single-paned windows were major culprits in causing heat loss. In 2005, the homeowners began renovating to address these issues, focusing on enhancing insulation in the roof, basement walls, and floors. These efforts significantly improved the home's R-values and heat retention.
"The transformation of our home has been incredible. Not only are we saving on energy costs, but we also feel great knowing we’re contributing to a healthier planet." - Homeowner
However, the journey didn't stop there. It soon became clear that further upgrades were needed to achieve the kind of energy-efficient home they envisioned. This realization led to a partnership with Homes to Zero in 2016, marking the next phase of the home's transformation. Our collaboration with the homeowner went beyond simply implementing upgrades. We brought together expert architects and data analysts to implement what would soon become the Homes to Zero approach. We meticulously assessed the home's energy needs and developed a comprehensive plan tailored to progress incrementally towards Net Zero, all while aligning with the homeowner's budget and desires. The homeowners have since started to implement their plan, and the results are already speaking volumes.
Performance and Impact:
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Pre-Renovation Energy Usage: 47,500 kWh
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Mid-Renovation Energy Usage: 29,166 kWh
Key Renovation Measures:
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Insulation Upgrade: Despite previous renovations, the insulation was still insufficient. Insulation was added to the roof, above-grade walls, and basement. The roof's insulation increased from R8 to R50, the above-grade walls from R15 to R35, and the basement walls and floor retained their R20 and R10 values.
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Window and Door Replacement: Double pane windows replaced the old single, significantly reducing air leakage and heat loss. The air tightness improved dramatically from 11.27 ACH to 3.4 ACH.
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Heating and Cooling System: The homeowners chose to install a high-efficiency gas furnace, with the intent to replace with a heat pump in the future.
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Ventilation System: An efficient HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilation) system was installed to circulate fresh air, compensating for the increased airtightness.
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Cooking Appliance: The gas stove was switched to a highly efficient electric induction stove.
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Water Heating: A drain water heat recovery (DWHR) system was installed to preheat incoming cold water.
Summary
The home’s step-by-step upgrades have already notably improved its energy efficiency, curbed its carbon footprint and enhanced overall comfort. While their plan is still ongoing, future upgrades include the installation of a full DWHR system, transitioning to an electric air source heat pump to get off gas and the integration of roof-mounted solar panels for energy generation.
As their journey to Net Zero continues, the homeowners are committed to monitoring their energy performance and exploring even more renewable energy solutions.
