The 2026 Eco Solar Tour highlights home energy efficiency innovations beyond solar panels, from geothermal systems to locally manufactured insulated windows, offering homeowners ways to reduce costs and environmental impact.
Event Details
The annual Edmonton home tour, organized by the Eco Solar Society, takes place on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14, with a Calgary edition the following weekend. The free, self-guided tour features 16 Edmonton-area sites, with eight open each day from noon to 5 p.m., except for some out-of-city homes that open earlier at 10 a.m.
Net-Zero Energy Homes
Eco Solar Tour Society president Andrew Mills emphasized the importance of net-zero energy homes amid high energy and fuel costs. These homes generate as much energy annually as they consume, eliminating gas bills and often resulting in a credit on electricity bills. Mills noted his own net-zero home returned a $200 credit last year, even after powering two electric vehicles and covering heating and lighting.
Key Features on Display
- Geothermal Systems: Ground source geo-exchange systems for efficient heating and cooling.
- Insulated Foam Basements: Enhanced insulation to reduce energy loss.
- LiteZone Windows: Locally manufactured insulating glass units achieving up to 2.8 times higher insulation than triple-pane windows, combined with Duxton fibreglass frames.
- Solar Panels: Rooftop solar installations to generate renewable energy.
- Energy Recovery Ventilators: Systems that improve indoor air quality while conserving energy.
Case Study: The Marchand Home
Roger Marchand purchased a 1996 bungalow in St. Albert four years ago, aiming to downsize while improving energy efficiency. He implemented a plan including rooftop solar, a ground source geo-exchange system, an energy recovery ventilator, and replaced over 20 windows with LiteZone units. Marchand emphasized that each step is straightforward when taken one at a time. His home, designated Site 2 on the tour, serves as a teaching venue where visitors can touch, see, and ask questions.
Tour Purpose
Mills stressed the ongoing need for the tour to publicize energy efficiency. The event is not a sales venue but an educational opportunity for homeowners to learn about reducing energy costs and emissions.
