Blog

November 29, 2018

Provincial & Municipal Grants Applicable to Residential Solar Panel Installation

Solar PV systems are a great way to reduce your electricity bill and help the environment. To help reduce the installation cost of residential solar panel systems for Edmontonians both the City of Edmonton and the Alberta Government offer a variety of grants. Why Add Solar Panels? Though electricity only accounts for 16% of the… Read more »

August 28, 2018

How Advancements in Renewable Energy Generation Are Already Benefiting Us at Home

We all want to reduce our carbon footprint and save money. One easy way for homeowners to achieve this goal is to invest in solar panels, home batteries, and proper insulation. Together these three technologies work together to bring you closer to achieving a net-zero home– a home that produces as much electricity as it… Read more »

February 17, 2018

New Office Building Deep Energy Retrofit

Is the grass greener on the other side? In this case, yes! We’ve purchased the neighbouring lot to our current office and starting a deep energy retrofit of the building to create our newer, greener office space! Our renovation will turn this old apartment building into one of the most energy-efficient workplaces in Edmonton. Before… Read more »

November 16, 2017

How Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF’s) Benefit Homeowners

Long-term value, energy efficiency, comfort, and safety – four important factors we look for when purchasing a home. Every homeowner is different and weighs the importance of each factor differently. But one thing is consistent amongst all buyers; these factors are a necessity. With that being said, achieving these benefits must be expensive and difficult,… Read more »

October 14, 2017

Readying Your Home for Fall and Winter

Here at Effect Home Builders, we understand better than most that your house is treasured, loved, and even part of your family’s story. As such, it’s important to look after it as best you can, and that’s never more crucial than in the run up to winter. Alberta’s harsh winters require a bit of preparation… Read more »

August 9, 2017

Net-Zero FAQ: Answering Five Common Questions About Building and Owning a Net-Zero Home

As one of western Canada’s premier net-zero home builders, we pay particular attention to this ever-evolving space. As Canada begins to make serious inroads into greenhouse gas reduction, with an eye-focused eye on sustainability and environmental awareness, more Canadians are beginning to look at energy-efficient and net-zero homes as realistic options. Naturally, questions arise regarding… Read more »

June 27, 2017

Reduce Your AC Bill This Summer: Four Ways to Cool Your Home Without Using Power

Summertime in Edmonton can be scorching, but simply turning up the air conditioning isn’t always the most economical solution. We’re here to help you discover a few practical ways to cool your home without using power so that you can relax and enjoy being inside this summer. Window Management Correctly utilising your windows is key… Read more »

May 29, 2017

The Tesla Solar Roof: A Good Option for Albertans?

Back in January we wrote about how Alberta is a great place for solar power generation. With the recent unveiling of the Tesla Solar Roof, we thought we would revisit the subject of rooftop solar and discuss whether or not rooftop solar – and the Tesla Solar Roof in particular – is a viable option… Read more »

April 28, 2017

Three Easy Ways to Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency & Reduce Heating/Cooling Bills

With spring finally arriving to Edmonton, many people are anxiously waiting to get outside and enjoy the sun. Right now also happens to be the perfect time of year for you to start planning the small projects that need to get done around the house. After the winter we just had, you may find yourself… Read more »

March 28, 2017

Taking a Simple Approach to Energy Efficiency

Last month we spoke to the Edmonton Journal about the Belgravia home and its efficiency credentials. Specifically, we talked about how the Belgravia is a home that “just works” despite its efficient build. Today, we thought we’d talk about the elephant in the room (when it comes to efficient homes): simplicity, and specifically, why it’s… Read more »

February 22, 2017

Upcoming Advancements Set to Further Improve Home Energy Efficiency

As one of Canada’s leading builders of green, energy-efficient homes – and one of Western Canada’s only net-zero home builders – we are very interested in new technologies and developments in the space. We are quite excited by the pace of change. From solar power, to material design, to energy storage, the industries that play… Read more »

January 16, 2017

Is Alberta a Good Place to Have Solar Panels On Your Home?

Yes!  For a variety of reasons, Alberta is a great place to have solar panels on your home.  In this blog post, we will discuss why this is the case. Sunniest Province in Canada First of all, Alberta has the distinction of being one of the sunniest places in Canada, and even the world.  This is naturally… Read more »

January 3, 2017

Understanding the Average Canadian’s Annual Energy Consumption

Canadians are no strangers to high energy costs in the home. Some months it seems like every bill that comes in is higher than the month preceding it. While our northern climate and dispersed population can explain away some of these high expenses, ultimately our energy consumption boils down to a lack of frugality and… Read more »

November 3, 2016

How An Energy Efficient Home Can Benefit You

At Effect Home Builders we pride ourselves on providing energy efficient homes that capture a sense of community and integration. We use smart building techniques and an environmentally centred philosophy to provide you a home that not only looks gorgeous but also enhances your life. Efficient Home Benefits By The Numbers Living in your own home carries… Read more »

What is a Net Zero Energy Home?

As the world moves toward more sustainable building and manufacturing processes, we are starting to enter a metaphoric “golden age” of sustainable construction. We aren’t going to get into the politics of it – frankly, that’s way outside our scope – but we thought we’d chime in on the value and capability offered by a… Read more »