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Change Builders Series | Zsiros Contracting

Welcome back to Change Builders, a video series spotlighting builders and industry leaders who are pushing construction forward across Vancouver Island.

In this episode, we sat down with Jim Zsiros, owner of Zsiros Contracting, to talk about high-performance homebuilding — what sparked his early commitment to energy efficiency, how he balances affordability with sustainability, and where he sees the next wave of innovation heading.

With nearly 24 years in business and deep experience building in the Comox Valley and north end of the Island, Jim brings a practical, lived-in perspective: energy efficiency is achievable, but it works best when you commit to a system, refine it, and educate homeowners on how to operate it.

Meet Jim Zsiros and Zsiros Contracting

Jim has owned Zsiros Contracting for almost 24 years. His company is known for:

• Custom and luxury homes
• High-performance and Built Green projects
• Net Zero builds
• Renovations
• Work primarily in the Comox Valley and north end of Vancouver Island

Jim’s experience spans the evolution of B.C.’s building codes — from the early days of voluntary green programs to today’s increasingly performance-driven standards.

When Energy Efficiency Became a Priority

Jim’s energy-efficiency journey started around 2007–2008, when he began following the Built Green program.

As provincial regulations changed and energy conservation became a bigger part of code and client expectations, Jim and his team leaned in:

• taking more courses
• refining their approach
• asking whether the changes were actually making a difference for homeowners long term

Like many early adopters, they also faced the challenge of limited product availability.

In those early years, sourcing solar panels and green products wasn’t straightforward — there simply weren’t many options. Jim notes that in the last five to six years, product availability has improved dramatically, though pricing hasn’t dropped as much as many hoped.

Start With the Assembly: Energy Advisor + Client Goals

A consistent theme throughout Jim’s approach is starting every build with an energy advisor and the client’s priorities.

The questions are practical:

• What’s most important to the homeowner?
• What’s the budget?
• Where do upgrades provide the best value?

From there, Jim focuses on choices that deliver meaningful performance without automatically pushing clients into premium-priced systems.

“Insulation is Always the Cheapest” — and It Adds Up

When it comes to low-cost performance gains, Jim points first to insulation.

Examples he shared include:

• Upgrading wall insulation from R22 to R24 (small cost, measurable benefit)
• Increasing attic insulation from R40 to R60 to reduce heat loss

Those are relatively cost-effective moves that can noticeably improve comfort and reduce energy demand.

But Jim didn’t stop at cavity insulation — his team also moved toward exterior insulation, which can reduce thermal bridging and improve overall envelope performance.

After testing different assemblies, they landed on what worked best for Vancouver Island:
two inches of exterior insulation + upgraded batts

The Key to Affordability: Pick an Assembly and Get Really Good at It

One of Jim’s most valuable lessons for builders trying to reach higher performance steps is about strategy — not just products.

Rather than constantly experimenting with new wall assemblies on each build, Jim’s team committed to one approach and refined it over time.

They:

• stuck with one assembly
• improved installation and sequencing
• got faster
• dialed in pricing
• reduced surprises for trades and clients

That consistency became a key lever for affordability — because repetition drives efficiency.

Airtightness Without the “High-End Everything”

Jim also shared a grounded perspective on air barrier systems.

Yes, premium wraps and tapes (like SIGA systems) can be excellent — and he’s used them — but he emphasized that high performance isn’t exclusive to high-end clients.

For many builds, they’ve achieved strong blower door performance using:

• standard Tyvek
• matched Tyvek tapes (not “duct tape” shortcuts)
• careful installation and product compatibility

He noted they’ve achieved blower door results under 5 and even under 3 using standard materials — proving that execution matters as much as the product selection.

Windows, Trade-Offs, and Giving Clients Choices

Windows are another major cost and performance driver.

Jim pointed out that today, many clients can get high-quality, energy-efficient double-glazed windows that perform well — without necessarily having to go straight to triple pane.

He also emphasized choice in fuel and systems, especially given B.C.’s regional realities.

“All electric doesn’t always work everywhere,” he noted — and his approach is to help clients understand options rather than pushing a single solution.

That includes acknowledging the shifting landscape around “clean energy,” improved wood stove technology, and even methane-related initiatives in gas utilities.

Performance Outcomes Clients Actually Notice

When asked about homeowner outcomes, Jim didn’t focus only on bills — he focused on lived experience.

Clients report:

• fewer hot and cold spots
• more consistent temperatures throughout the home
• quieter interiors
• very low hydro bills (sometimes close to nothing, depending on the project and systems)

Since 2018–2019, Jim said roughly 95% of their builds have been delivered with this higher-performance approach — and follow-ups with clients years later confirm high satisfaction.

The Underrated Piece: Homeowner Education and Maintenance

Jim was direct about one of the most common issues in high-performance homes:

They’re mechanically driven — and they require maintenance.

He emphasized homeowner education on topics like:

• HRV operation
• filter replacement
• heat pump servicing
• how open windows affect mechanical systems

On Vancouver Island, where people love fresh air, the habit of leaving windows open can undermine how a mechanically balanced home is designed to perform.

His advice is simple:
schedule annual servicing like any other routine appointment so the systems keep running as intended.

Smart Home Tech: Useful, But Don’t Overcomplicate

Zsiros Contracting has integrated smart tech in some homes, including:

• smart electrical panels
• app-based monitoring for energy usage and peak tracking
• whole-home systems tied into automation platforms

But Jim offered a practical warning: the more complex the tech, the more things can go wrong.

His personal philosophy is that you don’t need to go “too fancy” to get strong results — especially when simple, proven systems already deliver excellent performance.

Upfront Cost vs Long-Term Payback

This is one of the hardest conversations in the market, Jim acknowledged.

Some upgrades can lead to payback timelines of 15–20 years, depending on what’s added and how aggressively performance is pursued.

But he also shared examples where the numbers are more compelling:

• Net Zero homes with solar tied into BC Hydro as a “battery,” resulting in extremely low bills
• Modeling that suggested payback in the 9–10 year range in at least one case

Still, he believes the “underrated” value is comfort, health, and indoor air quality — benefits that are hard to price but immediately felt.

The Next Frontier: Embodied Carbon, Resilience, and Water

Jim sees energy efficiency as increasingly “dialed in” — but he believes the next big focus areas are:

Embodied emissions and material choices

Improving operational performance isn’t enough if the materials used carry heavy carbon impacts.

He pointed to growing attention on:

• off-gassing and material health
• petroleum-based products and adhesives
• concrete selection and alternatives

Resilience

With hotter summers and increased wildfire risk, durability and resilience are becoming essential parts of “high-performance.”

Water

Jim predicts water will become the next major building issue as summers get drier and communities grow.

He anticipates more interest in:

1. rainwater recovery for landscaping
2. better water efficiency standards
3. potential graywater or water recycling approaches over time

Learn More About Zsiros Contracting

To learn more about Jim’s work, projects, and client testimonials, he recommends visiting their website (listed in the interview) where you can also find direct contact info.

Jim’s message is consistent throughout: high-performance building isn’t about chasing the newest trend on every project. It’s about committing to a system that works, refining it over time, and ensuring homeowners understand how to operate and maintain a mechanically efficient home.

That’s how performance becomes sustainable — financially and practically — for builders and clients alike.