LEEP10 Integrated Retrofit Pilot Project: Bringing Net-Zero Within Reach

How thinkBright Homes Is Helping Homeowners Reach Net-Zero Through the LEEP10 Integrated Retrofit Pilot Project

Across Canada, homeowners and builders are seeking ways to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and prepare for a changing climate. Here in the Columbia Valley, we are taking the lead, building and renovating future-proof homes today. In spring 2025, we developed and launched the LEEP10 Integrated Retrofit Pilot Project—a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to help homeowners achieve deep energy savings and move their homes toward Net-Zero performance.

While the LEEP10 project is supported by national and provincial partners, this pilot exists because we saw problems in the way retrofits are currently being funded and completed, and proposed a solution, bringing the right organizations and partners to the table, and assembling a high-performance team capable of delivering deep, evidence-based retrofit plans. Our leadership ensures homeowners receive a clear, cost-effective, and scientifically rigorous pathway to improve comfort, efficiency, and long-term resilience.

As part of this initiative, homeowners receive actionable plans that deliver energy savings of 50% or more, ultimately guiding their homes toward Net-Zero.

A First in Canada: Bringing LEEP and TNZR Together

The LEEP10 project represents a breakthrough in how energy retrofits are delivered. thinkBright Homes recognized the opportunity to combine the strengths of:

• LEEP (Local Energy Efficiency Partnerships)
• CHBA’s Towards Net-Zero Renovations (TNZR) initiative
• Support from City Green Solutions, Community Energy Association, and Bernhardt Contracting.

 

Provincially, NRCan and BC Hydro have partnered with City Green Solutions to deliver LEEP Trial Homes for Renovation. Nationally, CHBA is delivering the TNZR initiative. But LEEP10 is the first to merge these programs into a cohesive, locally focused initiative, conceptualized and led by thinkBright Homes.

We designed LEEP10 to answer a critical question:

What happens when multiple homes in one community undergo a single Integrated Design Process (IDP)?

The goal: better, more affordable retrofit plans and projects, delivered by a high-performance team, resulting in healthier, more resilient homes. Collaboration across multiple homes results in better plans, lower costs, stronger energy outcomes, and more accessible pathways to Net-Zero.

For participating homeowners, this pilot offers unparalleled technical support, contractor transparency, and access to a retrofit team with deep expertise in building science and home construction. Through this program, the Columbia Valley is demonstrating what the future of home energy renovation can look like.

What Is LEEP—and Why It Matters

LEEP (Local Energy Efficiency Partnerships) is a national initiative by Natural Resources Canada designed to accelerate adoption of energy-efficient innovations across the residential construction industry. LEEP bridges a major gap between codes and policies and the builders and trades who implement them every day.

Instead of having each builder independently research new technologies, test solutions, or analyze emerging performance methods, LEEP brings the full ecosystem together:

• Builders
• Renovators
• Trades and contractors
• Manufacturers and suppliers
• Municipalities
• Industry associations

 

By sharing proven solutions and eliminating trial-and-error, LEEP reduces risk, streamlines innovation, and strengthens regional capacity.

This collaborative model enables:

• Higher-performing, healthier homes
• Lower operational and embodied carbon
• Improved resilience to climate extremes
• Better long-term affordability
• Faster adoption of Net-Zero and Net-Zero-ready practices

 

Because LEEP is delivered regionally, it tailors its solutions to local climate, building stock, contractor expertise, and supply chain capacity. For the Columbia Valley, that means homes built for mountain weather, shifting energy systems, and a community committed to sustainability.

CHBA: Supporting Retrofit Innovation Toward Net-Zero

With support from Natural Resources Canada, the Canadian Home Builders’ Associations is working with Municipalities across Canada (and one Invermere General Contractor!) to support delivery of 100-150 Net Zero Renovations.

This ground-breaking initiative brings local governments, renovators, and industry partners together to explore ways to accelerate the pace and effectiveness of deep energy retrofits in Canada. Training, network, and knowledge development are combined to advance innovative technologies and approaches to pursue net zero levels of performance in the most cost-effective ways possible, a key to making it possible for more Canadians to reduce their GHG emissions at home.

The LEEP10 Integrated Retrofit Pilot Project

Combining the fire power of LEEP and CHBA’s Toward Net Zero Renovations initiative, the LEEP10 pilot brings ten homes in the Columbia Valley together to undergo a comprehensive, building-science-driven retrofit planning process. Each receives a comprehensive, analysis of how to reach deep energy reductions and achieve Net-Zero performance.

As the lead organization, we designed the project structure, coordinated the technical team, and guided the builder- and homeowner-facing process to ensure clarity, affordability, and a high standard of building science.

Every participating homeowner receives:

• A detailed integrated home energy assessment
• A personalized roadmap to reach Net-Zero
• Step-by-step sequencing of recommended upgrades
• A fully costed two-phase implementation plan
• Right-sized mechanical and energy modeling
• Guidance on rebates, incentives, and long-term savings

 

Unlike typical home energy audits, the LEEP10 approach is holistic, using advanced modelling, rigorous building science, and collaborative expertise to chart the most effective path toward Net-Zero performance.

This approach is far more advanced than a stand-alone home energy audit. It reflects our commitment to rigorous analysis, practical implementation, and real-world performance.

House-as-a-System: Why Integrated Retrofits Matter

Most homeowners renovate in small steps over several years—replacing windows, upgrading insulation, swapping mechanical equipment, or adding solar panels. But without a House-As-A-System approach, this can lead to a range of problems, including:

• Oversized or undersized mechanical systems
• Increased moisture and durability risks
• Redundant or unnecessary construction costs
• Missed rebate windows
• Ventilation issues and reduced air quality
• Upgrades that fail to deliver expected energy savings

 

We’ve designed LEEP10 to eliminate these risks by applying a House-as-a-System (HAAS) approach and a unified Integrated Design Process across all 10 homes.

Under this model, every system in a home is analyzed holistically—envelope, mechanicals, ventilation, solar, and electrical—to ensure:

• Correct mechanical sizing and performance
• Optimal sequencing of upgrades
• Cost-effective decision-making
• Improved durability and indoor environmental quality
• A predictable, supported path to Net-Zero
• Improved home comfort and indoor air quality

 

This is the type of retrofit planning that thinkBright Homes has long championed—and LEEP10 formalizes that leadership in a community-wide model.

Building a High-Performance Team

The success of LEEP10 depends on the strength of the team driving it. We have coordinated a regional network of top-tier experts to deliver leading-edge retrofit plans.

Our local collaborative team includes:

• Energy Advise
• Jefferson Contracting Ltd.
• Toby Creek Electric
• Energy Economics Solar

 

From across the province:

• Bernhardt Contracting for advanced modeling, durability analysis, and data insights.
• Riverside Energy Systems for electrical load analysis.
• Community Energy Association’s Retrofit Assist Program for rebate and logistical support.

 

Working across 10 homes allowed us to share expertise efficiently, test innovations consistently, and develop high-quality Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) tailored to each home.

Two-Phase Retrofit Plans Developed Under thinkBright Leadership

Phase 1: Achieve 50% energy savings

Typically includes ventilation improvements to safeguard durability and indoor air quality, along with the most cost-effective upgrades, including heat pumps, attic insulation, and critical window and door replacement.

Phase 2: Pathway to Net-Zero

Typically includes deeper envelope improvements, window and door upgrades, mechanical refinements, and solar PV—timed to align with natural building life cycles like re-roofing or re-siding.

What Homeowners Receive from the LEEP10 Retrofit Plan

The LEEP10 roadmap provides homeowners with everything they need to confidently move forward:

1. Deep Energy Assessment

A whole-home analysis covering:

• Insulation values
• Airtightness
• Windows and doors
• Mechanical systems and ventilation
• Electrical capacity and load management
• Durability and moisture considerations
• Solar readiness

2. Customized Retrofit Roadmap

A prioritized list of recommended upgrades, sequenced for maximum efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

3. Certified Contractor Quotes

Estimates from professionals trained in high-performance construction.

4. Affordability Support

Through the CEA Retrofit Assist East Kootenay program, homeowners receive ongoing help navigating incentives, planning upgrades, and staying on track through the renovation journey.

Why thinkBright Homes Is the Ideal Partner

As leaders in energy-efficient, low-carbon construction, we bring decades of expertise in building and retrofitting homes designed for long-term comfort, durability, and resilience. Our approach is grounded in:

• Integrated design
• Evidence-based decision-making
• Proven performance metrics
• Builder-led innovation
• Climate-ready construction practices

 

The LEEP10 project aligns with our mission:

To bring safety, comfort, and sustainability to families through energy-efficient, carbon-conscious homes that respond to the climate crisis.

A beautiful home matters—but what’s underneath is what ensures it lasts a lifetime. Think of it as capital asset management made comfy!

Looking Ahead: A More Sustainable, Resilient Housing Future

By developing and delivering LEEP10, we are helping develop a scalable retrofit model for communities across BC and Canada. This work supports:

• Local workforce training
• Innovation in the regional supply chain
• Community climate resilience
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
• Better affordability for homeowners

 

Most importantly, it gives homeowners a clear, supported pathway toward a more efficient, comfortable, and future-ready home.

Want to Learn More About Home Energy Renovations?

If you’re exploring Home Energy Improvement, we’re here to help.

Contact thinkBright Homes today—take the first step toward a more sustainable, resilient home.

 

LEEP10 is supported by the following project funders, who are also advisors and leaders – we are grateful for their collaboration, creativity, and commitment to a climate-stable future: