The Smart Way to Sequence Your Net-Zero Home Upgrades

Introduction

Upgrading your home to net-zero isn’t about doing everything at once — it’s about doing it in the right order. If you install solar before insulating your attic, or buy an EV before checking your panel capacity, you could overspend or miss out on key rebates.

This guide walks you through the ideal upgrade sequence for Canadian homes, ensuring each step builds on the last. Whether you’re in BC, Nova Scotia, or anywhere in between, this strategy-first approach will help you maximize savings, avoid mistakes, and unlock layered incentives.

Want to skip the planning headache? Just enter your postal code on Solenery Insights to get instant upgrade recommendations.

Start With Efficiency: Reduce Before You Produce

The cheapest energy is the energy you don’t use. That’s why efficiency upgrades should always come first.

Prioritize:

• Attic and basement insulation
• Air sealing and caulking
• ENERGY STAR® windows and doors
• LED lighting and smart switches

Why this comes first:

• Reduces heating and cooling demand
• Makes solar and HVAC systems smaller and cheaper
• Improves comfort and increases rebate eligibility

Example: A homeowner in Manitoba added attic insulation and air sealed their basement before installing solar. Their contractor was able to downsize the solar array by 25%, saving over $3,000.

Electrify Heating & Cooling: Install a Heat Pump

Once your home envelope is tightened, swap fossil fuels for an electric cold-climate heat pump.

Popular system types:

• Mini-splits for homes without ducts
• Central ducted systems for full-home replacement
• Hybrid systems if you want to keep a backup furnace

Why now:

• Insulated homes need smaller, cheaper heat pumps
• Rebates are available in every province (e.g., $5,000–$10,000 in PEI, Nova Scotia, Ontario, BC)
• Reduces your carbon footprint and future-proofs your heating

Tip: Some installers in provinces like Nova Scotia and Ontario offer bundled heat pump + insulation packages.

Generate Power: Add Solar Panels (Right-Sized!)

With a more efficient and electric home, solar makes sense — and your system can be smaller and more affordable.

Checklist before solar:

• Have you completed insulation and air sealing?
• Switched your furnace to a heat pump?
• Reduced usage with smart devices?

Sizing advice:

• Use updated post-retrofit energy usage to size the system
• Most Canadian homes require 4–7 kW to offset most needs
• Confirm net metering policy in your province (e.g., Ontario, Alberta, PEI)

Example: A Calgary family reduced their home energy needs by 30% before installing solar. The final system was 20% smaller — and saved them $4,000 upfront.

Add Smart Controls & Energy Monitoring

Now that generation and heating are in place, it’s time to optimize with smart tech.

Top picks:

• Smart thermostats for zone-based heating
• Energy monitors (e.g., Sense, Emporia)
• Load-balancing smart panels (e.g., SPAN, Eaton)
• Smart plugs and occupancy sensors

Why this step matters:

• Lets you shift appliance use to sunny or off-peak hours
• Helps detect efficiency problems early
• Required for maximizing time-of-use savings in provinces like Ontario and BC

Incentives: $50–$100 rebates for smart thermostats in Ontario, BC, Quebec, and others.

Go Mobile: Install EV Charging Last

The final piece of your net-zero puzzle is an EV charger — but save this for last.

Why last:

• Your main panel may need an upgrade (especially if you’ve added solar + a heat pump)
• Smart EV chargers can integrate with solar or time-of-use rates
• Many utilities offer EV charger rebates after other upgrades are complete

What to know:

• Level 2 chargers (240V) are ideal for overnight charging
• BC, Quebec, and PEI offer rebates of $250–$600
• Some apps allow solar-integrated EV charging schedules

Bonus: Pairing EV charging with a smart panel helps avoid overloads and service upgrades.

Conclusion

When it comes to building a net-zero home in Canada, sequencing is everything. Start with efficiency. Then electrify. Add solar. Optimize with smart controls. And finally, go electric with your car. Each upgrade sets the stage for the next—maximizing savings and performance while unlocking bigger rebates.