Builders and renovators across the country are increasingly delivering on Canadians’ growing desire to live in an energy efficient home.

This was never more evident than during this year’s CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence – Canada’s premiere competition for new homes, renovations, community development, and residential marketing. The awards, which this year received a record number of entries, recognized housing excellence in two Net Zero Home awards categories: Best Production Net Zero Home and Best Custom or Renovated Net Zero Home. CHBA builders and renovators across Canada submitted their innovative Net Zero or Net Zero Ready Homes qualified under the CHBA Net Zero Home Labelling Program hoping to gain national recognition in this year’s awards competition.

In May, during CHBA’s Glitter & Groove Awards Bash, we revealed the winners of these prestigious awards. In this blog post, we’re showcasing the top 5 projects for Best Production Net Zero Home in the 2025 competition (with another blog to follow for the Best Custom or Renovated Net Zero Home category).

WINNER: “Glasshaus” by Stratton Homes Limited

Stratton Homes Limited built this award-winning Net Zero Ready Home in Huntsville, ON.

It’s no wonder this Net Zero project earned a trophy in this year’s competition! “Glasshaus” is a Net Zero Ready Home built by Stratton Homes Limited, a Qualified Net Zero Builder in Huntsville, ON. This home seamlessly combines luxury, resilience, and energy efficiency, appealing to eco-conscious buyers who value comfort and design.

The exterior of the home features dark steel, rich wood, and Douglas fir timbers that harmonize with the surrounding Muskoka landscape. Large triple-glazed windows flood the home with natural light, while ensuring exceptional thermal performance and energy efficiency. And don’t forget the stunning screened-in outdoor living space, which connects seamlessly with the natural surroundings.

Inside, the home’s design package features European white oak hardwood, quartz countertops, and premium finishes, which give a sense of timeless sophistication. The open-concept layout includes 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a chef's kitchen with panel-ready appliances.

A key component of this Net Zero Ready Home is that it’s built for high energy performance and comfort. It incorporates leading-edge systems such as dual-fuel HVAC (i.e., an air source heat pump (ASHP) paired with a natural gas furnace that ensures reliable year-round comfort) and an ASHP water heater, which reduces energy consumption while delivering consistent hot water. The home also boasts exceptional airtightness of 0.51 air changes per house (ACH), far exceeding CHBA’s Net Zero Ready standard of 1.5 ACH for detached homes to optimize energy efficiency and air quality.

Stratton Homes Limited was also careful to take other environmental precautions when building this home, including preserving natural drainage and minimizing disruption to the landscape while achieving superior energy performance. The builder also made careful material choices to reduce embodied carbon emissions.

Given Stratton Homes Limited’s commitment to deliver a future-ready home that balances innovation, luxury, and environmental stewardship, it is clear why the project was awarded Best Production Net Zero Home in 2025.

Strong contenders

Four other finalists with incredible Net Zero entries were stiff competition for “Glasshaus” this awards season. Listed in alphabetical order, the other finalists are:

“Amber in Sirocco: Leading the Way in Sustainable, Net Zero Living” by Sterling Homes Ltd., a Qualico Company in Calgary

First up, “Amber in Sirocco: Leading the Way in Sustainable, Net Zero Living” by Sterling Homes Calgary , a Qualico company, quashes the myth that Net Zero Home design is “boxy.”

Immersed in the essence of sustainability, this architectural gem emphasizes an open-to-below design, offering a seamless, spacious living experience. Every corner is drenched in sunlight, thanks to generously proportioned windows. This Net Zero Home cleverly harnesses natural elements, contemporary design principles, and energy efficient technologies to create a dwelling that balances luxury and sustainability.

“Cascadia” by StreetSide Developments, a Qualico company in Surrey, BC

StreetSide Developments, a Qualico company located in Surrey, B.C., built this functional Net Zero Ready townhome project.

The Cascadia features efficient roof insulation, exterior insulation, a sealed garage and party walls, an energy recovery ventilator, heat pump water heater, air source heat pump, and more. Outside, the townhome’s traditional design fits within the charm of the farm-centric Fraser Valley, while being better for the environment and offering lower energy costs for homeowners. Interior design features include quartz countertops, stylish cabinets, induction cooktops, soaker tubs, optional electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, and more.

“Holly 24” by Jayman BUILT in Calgary

Next is “Holly 24,” a gorgeous Net Zero Home by Jayman BUILT. Located in Calgary, AB, this Net Zero Home is designed for growing families or established couples looking to enjoy the most out of their home.

The prairie-style exterior with a low-sloped hip roof, as well as brick and James Hardie siding, gives this Net Zero Home a traditional look with added durability. Warm wooden grey and brown tones in the interior décor complement the exterior. Designer finishings create a high-end feeling, including an all-black tiled kitchen backsplash, a modern square hood fan shroud, and statement fixtures. This Net Zero Home features 37 solar panels and is 100% electric powered.

““The Superior” at Watercrest at Hunters Pointe” by Lucchetta Homes in Welland, ON

Finally, Lucchetta Homes built this thoughtful Net Zero Ready Home in Welland, ON.

This home’s modern farmhouse aesthetic combines brick, stone, and stucco for a stylish yet rustic allure.  Inside, the open-concept design flows seamlessly into the expansive great room, dining area, and kitchen. Built CHBA Net Zero Ready, this home features super-insulated walls, floors, and ceilings, universal design elements for enhanced comfort (including a Detton modularized right-sized furnace with smart duct high velocity ductwork), and a 17 SEER air source heat pump. Panoramic triple-pane windows and radiant under-slab flooring further enhance efficiency and comfort.

Every year, builders across the country repeatedly raise the bar in energy efficient home design with these Net Zero projects. Find out more about the benefits of living in a Net Zero Home on our website.

Looking for the latest home and design trends? Follow @chbanational and @chbanetzero on Instagram for regular content featuring beautiful and unique homes from CHBA members across Canada.