28 in-depth lessons on net zero and Passive House homes in BC, with real numbers, worked examples and case studies.

The Deep Dive follows on from our Building Science Series. Where the series explains the ideas, the Deep Dive works through the calculations, code requirements and design decisions behind high-performance homes. Each lesson is about 5 to 10 minutes long and ends with three questions to test yourself.

There are seven modules. Watch them in order, or jump to the topic you need.

The physics of heat, air and moisture, with the real calculations designers use.

1.1 Heat Flow by the Numbers

R-value, RSI and U-value, effective R of a framed wall, and calculating heat loss for a Vancouver home.

1.2 Thermal Bridges in Detail

Linear and point bridges, psi-values, cold spots, and how window position changes heat loss.

1.3 How Air Moves Through Buildings

Stack effect, wind and fans, what makes a good air barrier, and reading blower door results.

1.4 Moisture in Depth

Moisture sources, dew point, vapour control, exterior insulation ratios and the wetting–drying balance.

1.5 Control Layers & High-Performance Walls

The four control layers, the pencil test, and three BC wall designs from R-16 to R-36.

How real walls, roofs, foundations and windows are built for high performance.

2.1 High-Performance Wall Systems

Exterior insulation, double-stud walls, SIPs and ICF compared for R-value, moisture safety and carbon.

2.2 Roofs & Attics

Vented attics, raised-heel trusses, airtight ceilings, and why flat roofs need insulation above the deck.

2.3 Foundations & Slabs

Insulation placement, capillary breaks, slab edges, radon protection and keeping water out.

2.4 Windows & Doors

Reading window ratings, glazing and frames, choosing by orientation, overheating and installation.

2.5 Materials & Embodied Carbon

Life-cycle stages, carbon hotspots, lower-carbon choices and new BC rules.

What BC’s codes and the major standards actually require.

3.1 The BC Energy Step Code in Numbers

How compliance works, what each step asks for, and where BC is heading.

3.2 The Zero Carbon Step Code

Emission levels EL-1 to EL-4, targets for houses, and a worked carbon calculation.

3.3 Passive House in Detail

Certification criteria, the Classic, Plus and Premium classes, EnerPHit, and PHPP.

3.4 Net Zero Labels & Choosing a Standard

CHBA Net Zero, how the standards compare, and how to pick the right target.

Working out the numbers on an energy report, and how homes are modelled and tested.

4.1 Calculating the Energy Metrics

TEDI, MEUI, TEUI and GHGI worked out step by step for one house.

4.2 Energy Modelling & EnerGuide

Who models homes, what goes into the model, and using it to make design decisions.

4.3 Blower Door Testing in Practice

Preparing, testing, finding leaks, and hitting your airtightness target.

4.4 Heat Loss & Equipment Sizing

Design heat loss, CSA F280, and why oversized equipment is a problem.

Planning high-performance homes as a team and building them right.

5.1 The Integrated Design Process

Who’s at the table, when decisions are made, and how to run the process.

5.2 Applying the Six Principles

A design review, principle by principle, with real numbers.

5.3 Quality Assurance & Commissioning

From the pre-construction meeting to handover and beyond.

Heating, ventilation, hot water and power for all-electric, net-zero ready homes.

6.1 Heat Pumps in Depth

How heat pumps work, COP and ratings, system types, sizing and defrost.

6.2 Ventilation: HRVs & ERVs

System types, heat recovery efficiency, design and installation.

6.3 Efficient Hot Water

Heat pump water heaters, drain water heat recovery and smart plumbing.

6.4 Electrical, Solar & EV Charging

All-electric service, sizing solar for net zero, net metering and EV-ready homes.

Making the numbers work, and lessons from real BC projects.

7.1 Cost Analysis Methods

Incremental cost, simple payback, net present value and life-cycle cost.

7.2 Smart Decisions: Where to Spend

The right order of upgrades, diminishing returns, and value beyond energy bills.

7.3 Real BC Case Studies

A Vancouver Passive House costing study, a net-zero Passive House, and embodied carbon in three homes.

Lessons draw on the BC Building Code, BC Energy Step Code and Zero Carbon Step Code materials, the Passive House Institute criteria, and published BC studies including the City of Vancouver Passive House costing study (RDH, 2016) and Carbon Leadership Forum BC research (2023). Codes, rules and incentives change, so always confirm current requirements for your project. Narration uses an AI-generated voice.

Xerox Builders builds energy-efficient homes in Vancouver and Burnaby. Get in touch to talk about your project.