Kamloops homebuilders sat down for a conference this month on designing and building green homes.

Presentations and trade show exhibits focused on incremental changes in technology and building needed to save Canadians money and reduce use of fossil fuels.

But a Chilliwack-based development is sweeping away the slow-change approach and moving headlong to a target many thought not possible: building a subdivision that uses net zero energy.

For Archie Guvi, the commitment came during a trip to Africa with his family three years ago.

“Climate change never meant a whole lot to me,” Guvi acknowledged to more than 100 local builders gathered at Kamloops Conference Centre for a Built Green conference.

“It was such a big problem and I’m such a small guy.”

But the trip with his family to southern Africa, including to Zimbabwe where he grew up, changed everything.

The fertile lands of his childhood were barren and incapable of producing food crops due to drought.

The images Guvi and his children saw moved all of them. For one of his sons, it was as simple as giving up fast food in favour of healthier fare. His daughter pledged to donate to support a child overseas.

“How can I make a difference?” the real estate marketer and former software developer asked himself.

“In real estate, I thought we could help with construction and development — everyone lives somewhere. The place where we can make an impact is at home.”

Guvi approached a long-time Fraser Valley developer, Henry Rempel, who was born in the area with the idea of a net-zero energy development.

Last month the Solara Homes was kicked off with a showing to unveil the ambitious plans.

Buyers are able to use their own builder but can’t opt out of the net-zero scheme. The partnership includes BC Hydro, which will buy back energy to the grid when the development produces more power than it uses.

How?

Guvi said the goal will be achieved by use of geothermal heating and cooling, solar energy, small wind turbines and building houses to the highest energy efficiency code.

“We believe all this should be net zero,” said Guvi, who is marketing the project as the country’s first net-zero development. It consists of 107 homes and 18 townhouses.

There is a cost to all the technology, of course. On paper Guvi said the efficiencies and technology should add about $50,000 to the cost of a typical home. But in reality commitment and enthusiasm from the developer and builders is resulting in lower costs, dropping the premium to $20,000 or $30,000.

Cameron Muir, chief economist for B.C. Real Estate Foundation, said a recent survey found more than 60 per cent of respondents say they will pay more for energy efficiency.

“This is a desire. The question is, how much more will they pay?”

For those who can’t wait for net-zero homes to come to Kamloops, the conference showcased other ways for homeowners to operate more efficiently. Chief among them is solar power.

Roger Huber and his wife, Susan, operate Swiss Solar Tech Ltd. from Summerland. Roger said solar-powered hot water is becoming increasingly used in the Okanagan and is viable in Kamloops.

The system is used in conjunction with natural gas or electric water heating. Hot water heating can represent as much as 30 per cent of home heating bills.

Huber said the province needs more certified solar installers. He trains people to install the technology, even though they may go on to become competitors, because he doesn’t want the industry to get a bad name.

“It’s important they don’t make mistakes.”

He also advised homebuyers to ask builders to ensure homes are solar ready, through plumbing to the roof (for panels) and other measures that can drastically cut costs compared to retrofitting.

Typical cost of a solar water heating system is $7,500.

“Our system is a six- to eight-year payback with rebates,” he said. “If we lose rebates it can go up to 12 years.”