(This story is sponsored by VictorEric.)

Climate change is one of the greatest threats facing humankind. People tend to feel helpless in the face of this overwhelming thought but by reducing our individual energy consumption at home, we can significantly decrease our impact. VictorEric is a Vancouver-based business, which designs and builds custom, luxury homes that also meet the highest standards of sustainability. By recognizing that more mindful consumption starts at home, VictorEric is raising the bar in terms of what we can expect from our houses and the way they are built.

That’s why the government enacted the B.C. Energy Step Code in April 2017, which is a voluntary provincial standard outlining an incremental and consistent approach to achieving more energy-efficient buildings that go beyond the requirements of the base B.C. Building Code. At present, builders can choose whether to adopt the series of measurable, performance-based requirements for construction, but bylaw changes will make this mandatory by 2030—with the goal of making all buildings net-zero energy-emitting by 2032.

Anyone who is buying a home, working in real estate development, interested in conserving their energy costs, or concerned with saving the planet should take note. That’s because most houses will fall out of compliance in 2030.

VictorEric’s certified Passive House design-build team has spent the past 15 years creating cutting-edge spaces and sustainable homes for its clients. The performance standard of the Passive House is two to three times as strict as conventional code-built houses due to a better performing building envelope, an airtight barrier, high efficiency HRV system, and high-performing windows and doors. All building components of a home built to the Passive House standard requires testing by the Passive House Institute in Germany before it can be deemed as certified, which gives the homeowner quality assurance.

Future-proofing buildings in this way makes for more comfortable and environmentally friendly living. It also improves resale value. Homes certified as Passive House can be complemented with solar roof panels that result in free electrical (EV) charging, making it very easy to achieve Net Zero performance. They can also come with fully automated climate control using light-flow from nature, as well as the ability to return energy to the grid and creating potential to earn money on your home.

VictorEric’s purpose is to revolutionize the industry and delight the community by creating amazing spaces that are both sustainable and beautiful. Those who are interested in learning more about the core principles of attractive Passive House design and building energy efficiency regulation implementation in Vancouver are invited to VictorEric’s public service seminar entitled "Future home—don’t let upcoming bylaw changes strip your home of its value".

The event, taking place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Oak Room of the West Point Grey Community Centre’s Aberthau Mansion (4397 West 2nd Avenue) on May 18, is free to attend and important for anyone interested in being the change they want to see in the world.

To learn more about Passive House standards, energy efficiency, or how you can own a high-performance home, visit VictorEric’s website at victoreric.com/high-performance/. Or contact VictorEric at 604-677-0021 to reserve a seat at the future home seminar.