Video Series
Building Science Series
15 short videos explaining how high-performance, energy-efficient homes work, from insulation and airtightness to heat pumps, solar and BC’s Step Code.
Learn How Better Homes Work
Whether you’re planning a custom home, a laneway house or a renovation in Greater Vancouver, these videos will help you understand what makes a home comfortable, healthy and efficient. Each video is about 5 to 7 minutes long and ends with a short “test yourself” quiz.
Ready to go further? Our Building Science Deep Dive covers the same topics in depth, with real calculations and BC case studies.
1. How Heat Moves Through a Home
Heat flow, insulation, R-value vs U-value and thermal bridges.
2. Air Leakage & Airtightness
Air barriers, blower door tests and what ACH50 means.
3. The Six Principles of High-Performance Homes
The envelope-first approach and the six principles of high-performance homes.
4. Moisture: Keeping Water Out of Walls
Rainscreens, flashing, the four D’s and keeping wood-frame walls dry.
5. BC’s Energy Step Code & Zero Carbon Step Code
How BC’s two energy codes work and what they mean for your build.
6. Net Zero, Zero Carbon & Passive House Compared
What net zero, zero carbon and Passive House really mean.
7. Measuring Performance: TEDI, TEUI, GHGI & ACH50
The numbers on BC energy reports, explained in plain language.
8. Integrated Design: Planning a High-Performance Home
Why the whole team should plan a high-performance home together from day one.
9. Building It Right: Quality on the Job Site
How job-site quality closes the gap between designed and real performance.
10. Materials & Embodied Carbon
The carbon built into a home, and how material choices reduce it.
11. Heat Pumps: Efficient Heating & Cooling
How heat pumps work, why they’re efficient and how to size them.
12. Ventilation & Hot Water: HRV, ERV & DHW
HRV vs ERV, fresh air in airtight homes and efficient hot water.
13. Solar Power & Electrical Systems
Solar, net metering, solar-ready roofs and EV-ready, all-electric homes.
14. The Cost & Value of High-Performance Homes
What high-performance homes cost, what they save and where to spend first.
15. Putting It All Together: A Net-Zero Ready Home
A walk-through of an example net-zero ready family home in Greater Vancouver.
Planning a High-Performance Home?
Xerox Builders builds homes across Greater Vancouver. Get in touch to talk about your project.