Zero Carbon Building (ZCB) Services -Enerma Energy Modeling Services
Zero Carbon Building (ZCB)
ENERMA Energy Modeling Services

Zero Carbon Building (ZCB) Services

As we strive toward a more sustainable future, our Zero Carbon Building (ZCB) services provide expert guidance in the design, construction, retrofitting, and operation of buildings that minimize carbon emissions. In alignment with the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) standards, our ZCB services help you achieve compliance with national and global climate goals.

Our services cater to both new construction and existing buildings through the ZCB-Design and ZCB-Performance standards, offering tailored solutions that meet your building’s unique needs.

Zero Carbon Building (ZCB) Services -Enerma Energy Modeling Services - Enerma.ca
ENERMA Energy Modelling Services

What is a Zero Carbon Building?

A Zero Carbon Building is one that achieves significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by focusing on energy efficiency, renewable energy use, and the reduction of embodied carbon from construction materials and building operations. In cases where emissions cannot be fully eliminated, high-quality carbon offsets are utilized.

Zero Carbon Building (ZCB) Services -Enerma Energy Modeling Services
ENERMA Energy Modelling Services

ZCB Certification Pathways

We offer services for both ZCB-Design and ZCB-Performance certification pathways. These two certifications cover the full life cycle of buildings, ensuring that both new projects and existing buildings meet zero carbon standards.

Zero Carbon Building (ZCB) Services -Enerma Energy Modeling Services
ZCB Certification Pathways

1. ZCB-Design Certification

(For New Construction and Major Retrofits)

The Zero Carbon Building – Design Standard is focused on helping new construction projects and significant retrofits reduce anticipated carbon emissions. This certification ensures that your building will be designed to operate with zero carbon emissions once completed.

 

Key Focus Areas:
  • Energy Efficiency: Integrate energy-efficient HVAC, lighting, and mechanical systems that minimize energy consumption.
  • Embodied Carbon: Select low-carbon construction materials to reduce the carbon footprint of the building.
  • Refrigerants: Address the climate impact of refrigerants used in heating and cooling systems.
  • Airtightness: Ensure high levels of airtightness to prevent energy loss and improve building performance.
  • On-Site Combustion: For buildings using combustion-based equipment (e.g., for heating), develop a transition plan that phases out combustion equipment in favor of zero-carbon alternatives over time.

Why Choose ZCB-Design Certification?

  • Long-term sustainability: Align the project with national and international climate goals.
  • Innovation in design: Meet regulatory and market expectations for green building practices.
  • Increased access to financing: ZCB-Design certified projects may qualify for funding, tax rebates, and green bonds.
Zero Carbon Building (ZCB) Services -Enerma Energy Modeling Services
ZCB Certification Pathways

2. ZCB-Performance Certification

(For Existing Buildings)

The Zero Carbon Building – Performance Standard is for buildings already in operation. It focuses on measuring and reducing carbon emissions from normal building operations such as heating, cooling, and electricity use.

Key Focus Areas:
  • Zero Carbon Balance: Achieve a balance where all carbon emissions are either eliminated or offset by renewable energy credits (RECs) or carbon offsets.
  • Energy Efficiency: Track and report the building’s Energy Use Intensity (EUI) to identify areas for improvement.
  • Carbon Offset Management: Purchase and management of carbon offsets for any remaining emissions.
  • Operational Monitoring: Ongoing evaluations of energy consumption and carbon output, ensuring that the building meets zero carbon standards on an annual basis.
  • Refrigerants and Embodied Carbon: Account for emissions from refrigerants and any major upgrades or new materials used in building maintenance.
Why Choose ZCB-Performance Certification?
  • Operational Efficiency: Drive down energy costs while reducing carbon emissions.
  • Annual Reporting: Continuous monitoring to ensure the building meets certification requirements year over year.
  • Zero Carbon Transition Plans: For buildings using combustion equipment, create a clear plan for transitioning to zero-carbon systems.
Zero Carbon Building (ZCB) Services -Enerma Energy Modeling Services Enerma.ca
ZCB Certification Pathways

ZCB-Design and ZCB-Performance Standards: Key Requirements

Both certification pathways are rigorous but flexible, allowing buildings of any type—commercial, residential, industrial, and institutional—to work toward achieving zero carbon emissions.

 

For ZCB-Design:
  • Zero Carbon Balance: The building must be modeled to achieve a zero-carbon balance once operational.
  • Energy Efficiency: Meet one of three energy efficiency approaches, ensuring the building consumes less energy.
  • Embodied Carbon: Reduce and limit embodied carbon emissions from construction materials.
  • Refrigerants and Heating: Implement strategies for addressing refrigerants and space heating to minimize the carbon impact.
  • Grid Citizenship: Ensure the building minimizes its demand on the local electrical grid by reducing peak energy loads.

 

For ZCB-Performance:
  • Energy Use Intensity (EUI): Track and report the building’s energy performance.
  • Peak Energy Demand: Measure and manage seasonal peaks in energy consumption to avoid grid stress.
  • Refrigerants and Carbon Offsets: Account for and offset any refrigerant leaks or embodied carbon from renovations or upgrades.
  • Zero Carbon Transition Plan: Develop a roadmap for transitioning away from combustion-based equipment to fully decarbonized systems.
ZCB Certification Pathways

Benefits of Zero Carbon Building Certification

  1. Reduced Operating Costs
    Zero Carbon Buildings are highly energy-efficient, which leads to significant cost savings on energy bills over the long term. In addition, as carbon taxes and energy prices continue to rise, ZCB certification helps future-proof building against these financial pressures.
  1. Enhanced Market Value
    Buildings certified under the Zero Carbon Building Standards are more attractive to investors, tenants, and buyers. Their sustainability credentials, combined with energy savings, increase overall property value.
  1. Access to Financing and Incentives
    Zero Carbon Building certification opens the door to numerous funding and financing opportunities, including:
  1. Climate Leadership
    By certifying your building under the ZCB standards, you demonstrate a commitment to climate action, aligning your business with global sustainability goals and national regulations.
Zero Carbon Building (ZCB) Services -Enerma Energy Modeling Services - Enerma.ca
ZCB Certification Pathways

Ready to Build a Zero Carbon Future?

Our Zero Carbon Building services provide the expertise, guidance, and resources you need to transform your building into a sustainable, zero-carbon asset. Whether you're planning a new construction project or seeking to decarbonize an existing building, we can help you every step of the way.

 

Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist in achieving Zero Carbon Building certification for your next project.