Edmonton’s First Off-Grid Business
Effect Home Builders has opened the doors to the first off-the-grid business in Edmonton – and it just happens to be their new headquarters! The Holmes Approved Homes building team is an experienced sustainable builder with many net-zero projects in their growing portfolio. When the decision was made to move to new digs, Effect Home Builders pledged to make their new office space their most energy-efficient project to date.
The new headquarters involved a deep energy retrofit of a single family home in a residential neighbourhood. The year-long project saw a complete transformation of the 2-storey, 1,800-square-foot home . The final office space now boasts of many sustainable building technologies and materials, including:
- 16 solar panels feeding into six battery packs (4.88kW solar electric system)
- a pair of natural gas-powered micro Combined Heat Power units for higher power loads
- 2.5″ BASF WALLTITE® insulation on the interior with 4.5” of BASF Neopor® graphite insulation on the exterior for a R-value of R-32 effective wall
- Triple glazed Innotech fixed and Tilt + Turn Windows
The result of the deep energy retrofit is an impressive reduction of CO2 emissions by 80%!
The grand opening of the new office space was celebrated with the Mayor of Edmonton and television celebrity Mike Holmes. As the new office space the first off-the-grid business space in Edmonton, Effect Home Builders has raised the bar and set a new standing in sustainable construction.
On June 1 & 2, 2019 the project will be part of Edmonton’s popular Eco-Solar Home Tour. Visit http://www.ecosolar.ca for more information.
Media Coverage
Global News: Edmonton’s first off-the-grid business building opens its doors
The Star Edmonton: Edmonton office space cuts the cord and gets off the grid with green tech
CTV News Edmonton: First ‘off-grid’ workplace unveiled in Edmonton
Images courtesy of Effect Home Builders.