Building to Perform

A high-performance building primer for Atlantic Canada: the code vs net-zero vs passive-house definitions, the full certification ladder, what to spec for the 2026 energy code, the air-sealing/radon tension, and why the region still trails Europe.

5 parts· Building Science & Energy ▸

Part 1 of 5 · EXPLAINER

Building Code Is the Worst House You're Legally Allowed to Build: Code vs Net Zero vs Passive House in Atlantic Canada

Get the definitions straight: code vs net-zero vs passive house, and what each one actually buys.

Part 2 of 5 · EP 22

Passive House vs Net Zero: The Full Canadian Certification Ladder with Casey Grey (The Conscious Builder)

Ottawa's Casey Grey (The Conscious Builder) walks the full certification ladder — code to passive house — and the business case for climbing it.

Part 3 of 5 · HOW-TO

Watch BC, Spec for the Future: What to Spec NOW for Nova Scotia's 2026 Energy Code

What to spec now for Nova Scotia's 2026 energy code — before it's mandatory.

Part 4 of 5 · CONTRARIAN

Tightening the Envelope Traps Radon: The Efficiency-vs-Health Tension Atlantic Builders Must Manage

The build-science catch: how tightening the envelope collides with radon, and how to handle both.

Part 5 of 5 · CONTRARIAN

Why Atlantic Canada Lags Europe 10 Years on Energy: The Net-Zero Definitions Killing Procurement

Zoom out: why Atlantic Canada's energy code still trails Europe's net-zero definitions.

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