Bosch house is South Ridge (Courtesy Ross Lavigne)

By Hayley Ferguson

Net Zero Home

Net zero home being built in Medicine Hat

Jul 29, 2019 | 5:38 PM

Medicine Hat, AB – The construction site looks like any other.

This one’s special for owner Bosch Built Homes owner Joel Bosch though.

Not only is it his own, but the first of it’s type in Medicine Hat.

“It’s net zero which means the house will produce as much energy as it consumes over the course of a year.” He explains.

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Bosch became interested in net zero homes after taking over the family business.

From there he started planning to built his own home, saying he wanted to build something special for his kids and family.

“It’s something I want to leave behind. Something for them. And I want to make an impact in the world and this was kind of those meeting. Like my values and what excites me and my interests coming together.” He said.

Along with building something for his family Bosch wanted to be able to show others what is possible.

“I’m still fairly young and I get excited about the changes I’m going to see in the industry in my lifetime. So I don’t want to be chasing or behind. I want to be ahead of the pack.”

Solar panels cover the back of the roof and help power the house.

Bosch says that’s just one of the aspects that make the home net zero.

“Insulation on the walls and floor. More efficient heating systems. Triple Pane windows and a heat recovery systems.” He said. “There’s a lot that we put into this to get it a lot more efficient before we even added solar.”

He says one of the things he is most excited for though is the home monitoring system.

“So we’ll be able to see every device in our house. All the lights, how much energy we’re using in real time. So I’ve already noticed that being able to see that, when you shut of lights, you can see your energy usage dropping. You’re more inclined to you know want to shut the lights off.” Bosch said.

Energy advisor and operator of Advanced Energy Advisors Kent Pearson says that he is hopeful that when people are able to see the Bosch house they will more open to the idea.

“I think there’s a very large misconception that when you have a net zero home like Joel is building, that it’s going to be really small.” Pearson continued. “When we hear net zero people are thinking off grid bush style houses. This is not what net zero is today. They’re building very modern, very high tech homes that will suit a family.”

Pearson and Bosch both admit that the cost of building an energy efficient home can be more upfront. They say that with national and local grants those costs are worth it in the long term.

The home will be showcased this fall during the Parade of Homes for the public to view.