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In this episode of Change Builders, we sat down with Chiara Sulyok, Regional Partner with Alair, to talk about one of the most pressing questions facing residential construction today:

How do we balance energy efficiency with affordability — in real projects, with real clients and real budgets?

Chiara brings a unique perspective. Having been with Alair for 10 years, she now supports franchises across Vancouver Island and Arizona, working closely with business operations, staffing, training, and project management teams. That wide lens gives her insight into how energy conversations are unfolding across different markets and municipalities.

And one thing is clear: there is no one-size-fits-all answer.

Energy Efficiency Shouldn’t Be a Luxury

For Chiara, the goal as a builder is straightforward:

Find the happy medium between performance and the client’s financial comfort zone.

Energy efficiency and comfort, she believes, shouldn’t be considered premium add-ons reserved for high-end projects. They should be achievable at a reasonable cost.

But achieving that balance requires careful conversations — and often, education.

Are Clients Driving the Energy Conversation?

Interestingly, Chiara notes that most clients don’t walk in asking for specific Step Code levels or airtightness targets.

Instead, they come with lived experience.

Many have owned multiple homes and know what has or hasn’t worked for them. Their priorities tend to revolve around:

• A comfortable heating system
• Good indoor air quality
• Overall comfort in the spaces they use most

Windows also become a major point of discussion — particularly in custom homes — where orientation, views, and lifestyle dictate design decisions.

For example:

• Is the home south-facing or north-facing?
• Where will the family spend most of their time?
• Is this a full-time residence or a seasonal home?

Those factors often shape performance decisions more than abstract energy targets.

The Builder’s Role: Translating Code Into Value

Because most clients aren’t immersed in building code, it falls to the builder to explain:

• What’s required
• Why it’s required
• What upgrades are available

How those upgrades affect comfort, resale, and operating costs

Chiara emphasizes that energy code changes significantly impact cost conversations.

The reality? Energy codes are continuously evolving — and when new requirements roll out, everyone in the industry is learning at the same time.

That includes:

• Builders
• Trades
• Mechanical contractors
• Municipal inspectors

And to complicate matters further, municipalities located just 15 minutes apart may interpret or administer requirements differently.

That inconsistency adds friction and cost particularly during periods of transition.

Biggest Bang for the Buck: Mechanical Systems

When asked which upgrades deliver the most meaningful impact for homeowners, Chiara pointed first to mechanical systems.

Heating and cooling choices have expanded dramatically in recent years, particularly with heat pump technology. Early conversations with mechanical contractors can shape the entire project.

Key considerations include:

• Home size
• Number of floors
• Usage patterns
• Whether the home is all-electric or hybrid

Windows also play a major role — especially in custom homes where performance and design intersect.

Insulation, she notes, is fundamental — but largely governed by code. Mechanical systems, on the other hand, offer greater opportunity for strategic decision-making.

Rebates Make a Real Difference

Chiara shared a powerful example of how rebates can meaningfully shift affordability.

A recent set of clients who chose to go all-electric received close to $10,000 in rebates — a substantial offset that made higher-performance decisions far more accessible.

But there’s a challenge: many homeowners simply aren’t aware of available programs.

Because rebates frequently change — sometimes favoring gas, sometimes electric — staying informed requires ongoing collaboration with energy advisors and mechanical partners.

Education, again, becomes critical.

What About PACE?

While Chiara hasn’t yet had clients use the PACE program in Nanaimo, she sees the potential value in financing tools that help homeowners overcome upfront cost barriers.

The key, she suggests, will be awareness and simplicity.

If processes are clear and supported — especially with energy concierge services helping homeowners navigate paperwork — programs like PACE could be meaningful tools in retrofit conversations.

The Bigger Picture: Can Affordability and Energy Coexist?

Looking ahead five to ten years, Chiara remains cautiously optimistic.

Like any emerging shift in the industry, higher energy standards initially bring:

• Supply chain pressures
• Trade shortages
• Learning curves
• Higher upfront material costs

But history shows that over time:

• Materials improve
• Options expand
• Trades gain experience
• Processes streamline

As adoption increases, consistency improves — and costs stabilize.

“I think eventually it will streamline and we’ll get there,” Chiara reflected. “It’s just how long and when.”

That uncertainty is often what creates the most concern — not the goal itself, but the timeline.

A Practical Path Forward

Chiara’s perspective reinforces an important truth in the energy conversation:

Affordability and sustainability aren’t opposing forces — but they do require thoughtful navigation.

That navigation depends on:

• Early conversations
• Strong partnerships with mechanical and energy advisors
• Staying current on rebates
• Translating code into client value
• Balancing long-term operating savings with upfront budgets

In short, it’s about finding that “happy medium.”

If you’d like to learn more about Alair’s work on Vancouver Island, you can visit their website and connect with the location nearest you.