In this episode of Change Builders, we sat down with Jamie Kuhn, one of the owners of Pheasant Hill Homes, to talk about what “energy efficient” really means on Vancouver Island — beyond the usual conversations about insulation and windows.

From custom builds to complex renovations, Jamie and the Pheasant Hill team have been building high-performance homes for more than a decade, with a company culture shaped by energy efficiency long before it became mainstream.

And as codes evolve, costs rise, and priorities shift, Jamie offers a grounded perspective: building better is still the goal — but it needs to stay connected to the people living in the home.

Meet Jamie Kuhn and Pheasant Hill Homes

Jamie is one of the owners of Pheasant Hill Homes, based in Nanaimo and working across the Central Island (and wherever projects take them).

Pheasant Hill’s focus includes:

• Custom home building
• Renovations and retrofits
• High-performance and energy efficient construction

Energy efficiency isn’t new to them — it’s baked into the company’s DNA. Jamie credits the company’s original founder, Ken Connolly, who began building energy efficient homes more than 15 years ago. Since then, the torch has been passed forward, and Jamie says that mindset has been “ingrained” through years of building, learning, and refining systems.

For Jamie, the passion comes down to outcomes homeowners can feel:

• Comfort
• Longevity
• Health
• A home that performs well — and lasts

Energy Efficiency Is Bigger Than Insulation and Windows

When people hear “energy efficiency,” the first things that come to mind are usually insulation values and window specs.

Jamie doesn’t dismiss those — but he broadens the definition.

For him, energy efficiency is about the long-term durability of the house, especially in the unique coastal climate we live in.

On Vancouver Island, homes face:

• Heavy rain and long wet seasons
• Salt air near the ocean
• Winter storms
• Hotter, drier summers than we used to see

Jamie points out that poorly built homes can visibly “take a beating” through those cycles. High-performance building is not just about saving energy — it’s about building homes that age better, resist moisture issues, and maintain comfort through increasingly extreme weather patterns.

Where to Start: Get an Energy Audit Early

When the conversation shifts to affordability, Jamie is clear: there’s no single answer that fits every project.

What matters is understanding the house — and the homeowner’s goals — before making decisions.

His strongest recommendation is to bring in an energy advisor early, especially for renovations and retrofits, and start with an energy audit.

A relatively small investment upfront can identify:

• Where the home is losing the most heat
• What upgrades will provide the best return
• Whether the priorities should be windows, insulation, airtightness, or mechanical systems

That early clarity helps homeowners avoid spending money in the wrong places — and supports a long-term plan when “doing everything at once” isn’t realistic.

The Best Value Upgrades (When Budget Matters)

Jamie notes that airtightness is often the biggest performance lever — but it can also be the hardest and most expensive to improve because it may require removing drywall or siding.

When homeowners need to prioritize cost-effective upgrades, he often points to:

• Attic insulation as one of the best investments
• It’s relatively simple to install
• Requires little demolition
• Delivers meaningful improvement
• Insulation upgrades around foundations
• Wall improvements, if they can be done without major disruption

The bigger message is that the “right” upgrade depends on how the house performs today — and that’s why the audit matters.

Do Consumers Still Put High Performance at the Top?

Jamie’s answer is honest: sometimes yes — and sometimes it changes.

Many clients start the process with energy efficiency high on their list. But as budgets tighten and costs climb, priorities often shift.

He’s seen energy efficiency move down the list as people face the real cost of construction — and that’s not always because they don’t value performance, but because they’re trying to make the project feasible at all.

“Most people we talk to have it on their list somewhere,” he said. “And then as you go through, things change.”

A Crystal Ball View: What Happens Next?

When asked where energy efficiency is heading over the next five to ten years, Jamie admitted his answer would have been different just a year and a half ago.

With Step Code and Carbon Step Code, it once felt like the industry was being steadily pushed toward higher performance.

But right now, the landscape has shifted.

With building costs rising again, Jamie sees builders and homeowners focusing heavily on affordability — and energy efficiency is sometimes the part that gets cut.

He predicts that over the next couple of years, energy efficiency may not feel as prevalent as it did recently — not because it isn’t important, but because recession pressure forces tough decisions.

That said, Jamie believes it will come back.

Builders are already adapting, learning, and improving. The more you build high performance, the more efficient the process becomes — and that can reduce costs over time through:

• repetition
• better detailing
• faster execution
• fewer mistakes
• better sequencing

Incentives Need a Reality Check

Jamie also spoke directly to the role of government and utility incentives.

He believes the industry needs a refocus on programs that actually reach the people who need them.

A key issue with many past grant models is that homeowners often had to front the cost and receive reimbursement later — which excludes the very people who can’t take on the project without support.

In Jamie’s words, that structure can end up acting like an interest-free loan for those who already have capital — rather than enabling new projects that wouldn’t otherwise happen.

He sees value in:

• larger, more meaningful grants
• accessible financing tools
• easier-to-use homeowner loans (including programs like PACE, where applicable)

The goal isn’t just to reward efficiency — it’s to make it possible.

Award-Winning Passive House Renovation on the Ocean

One of the most memorable projects Jamie shared was an award-winning passive house renovation — not a new build.

Rather than demolishing and rebuilding, the team transformed an old, inefficient home into a passive house-level performer. For Jamie, that was especially rewarding because it meant:

• reusing key components instead of sending everything to landfill
• dramatically improving performance
• creating a beautiful, extremely efficient home in a demanding oceanfront environment

The project wasn’t easy — it ran through COVID and material supply issues, and many products were sourced from Europe, which added major logistics challenges.

Performance-wise, the renovation achieved an impressive airtightness result: below 0.6 ACH (approximately 0.45 ACH, as Jamie recalled).

Lessons Learned: Innovation Isn’t Always Practical

Because the homeowner had built multiple passive homes (including one in Germany), he wanted extremely complex systems — sometimes choosing the most difficult option even when easier solutions existed.

That complexity created learning opportunities, including experimenting with vacuum insulated panels sourced overseas — thin panels with high R-values, designed like a thermos.

But shipping and elevation changes damaged many panels, and some couldn’t be used. Jamie says it was a valuable lesson — and not something they’d likely choose again.

A Detail Worth Repeating: Shou Sugi Ban Siding

One standout feature they would do again: Shou Sugi Ban siding — charred cedar that performs well in coastal climates.

The team essentially built a furnace on site to burn the cedar siding, then used the soot mixed with finish as part of the final treatment. The result was a striking exterior designed for durability in:

• heavy rain
• salt air
• strong sun exposure

Jamie acknowledged it isn’t the cheapest siding approach — but it’s a memorable example of craftsmanship meeting longevity.

What They’re Working on Now

Jamie’s current favorite project is a Step 4 custom home in Nanoose on the water.

Energy efficiency wasn’t the client’s initial top priority — but comfort, health, and performance became part of the plan.

This home, Jamie says, is where all the team’s learning comes together — applying proven details from passive and net zero work into a high-performance build that’s practical and achievable.

They’re focusing on:

• airtightness strategy
• window detailing
• ceiling and air barrier continuity
• minimizing penetrations
• design choices that protect performance

Want to Learn More?

To learn more about Pheasant Hill Homes or talk with Jamie directly about energy efficient builds, renovations, or retrofits, visit:

www.buildbetterhomes.ca

Jamie notes that if you reach out, he’ll likely be the person you speak with — and he’s always happy to talk energy efficiency and building better homes.

At its core, Jamie’s perspective is a reminder that performance is never just technical. It’s personal. Energy efficiency matters most when it improves the way people live, through comfort, health, resilience, and homes that stand up to the realities of our coastal climate.