Winnipeg, MB – Sterling Homes Winnipeg’s new two-storey Net Zero Home marks a new milestone for Qualico and net-zero builds in Winnipeg.

The 2,509-sq.-ft. home at 110 Butterfly Way in Winnipeg’s Sage Creek community offers buyers a desirable combination of luxurious comfort, modern style, and long-term sustainability, all at a competitive price.

Sterling Homes chose to build the home in the Sage Creek community because it was the right fit for the product and potential customers. The builder designed the home to blend seamlessly into the community’s contemporary architectural character.

Thanks to top-notch products and building innovations, homeowners will appreciate a notable difference in the overall comfort of the home, including greater control over noise, temperature, and air quality.

Incorporating many energy-efficient features into the home’s design reflects Sterling Homes’ commitment to Qualico’s Building Sustainably corporate responsibility pillar. The pillar highlights the company’s environmentally responsible operational practices aimed at minimizing its environmental impact and promoting long-term sustainability.

While this is Sterling Homes’ second Net Zero Home build in Manitoba, it’s the first two-storey Net Zero Home the team has tackled. Sterling Homes unveiled its first Net Zero Home – an 1,850-sq.-ft. bungalow in the rural municipality of MacDonald – during the 2024 Parade of Homes. It was the first CHBA-qualified Net Zero Home in the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region.

Exceptional exterior

Sterling Homes selected The Westminster model for the new build, which features luxury curb appeal with an impressive exterior, angular rooflines, and upscale materials.

Courtney Sims, Marketing & Digital Sales Manager, Sterling Homes Winnipeg, said the exterior also showcases the home’s integrated solar panels and high-performance windows.

“This home’s exterior pairs modern aesthetics with visible energy efficiency,” said Courtney. “The solar panels and high-performance windows immediately signal the home’s sustainability focus, which is an appealing aspect for eco-minded buyers.”

The solar panels work together with the home’s other energy-efficient features to ensure maximum benefit for the homeowner. For example, in a power outage, the solar energy could keep mechanical systems for heat and ventilation operating, while state-of-the-art products like higher-graded insulation will keep the home warm or cool for longer.

Welcoming design

Inside the home, buyers will find warm interiors, laminate flooring, a linear electric fireplace, and a glass-railed staircase. The bright kitchen includes white cabinetry, a frappe island, quartz counters, and a tile backsplash, which create a modern, welcoming atmosphere.

The Westminster’s double front attached garage has direct access to the pantry and kitchen, creating seamless flow on the open concept main floor. The living space extends to a screened deck and south-facing backyard. A main floor den provides extra space that can be used for guests or as an office.

The second floor includes a luxurious primary bedroom with dual walk-in closets and spa-inspired ensuite with tub, tiled shower, and in-floor heating. Two other bedrooms, an additional bathroom, and a large laundry room are also located on the second floor.

The home’s lower level offers even more possibilities, as it can be finished to add a rec room or an additional bedroom and bathroom for guests or other family members.

Comfort living

Sterling Homes designed this Net Zero Home with comfort in mind. High‑performance windows, a tightly sealed building envelope and efficient heating and ventilation systems work together to create a quieter home with consistent indoor temperatures and clean, healthy air. These features help reduce drafts and limit outside noise while maintaining a comfortable living environment year‑round, giving homeowners a noticeable difference in day‑to‑day comfort.

Achieving that level of comfort in a two‑storey Net Zero Home required the builder team to overcome several technical challenges. These included managing air leakage in a larger home, optimizing solar capacity, adapting cladding for thicker exterior insulation, insulating the foundation from outside, navigating limited net metering in Manitoba, and finding home sites with suitable lot orientations to achieve net-zero performance.

Dale Verville, Production Manager, Sterling Homes, noted there was a silver lining to the technical challenges the team faced while building the home.

“We are investing in learning about the innovation, design, and technology that is required for a Net Zero build,” said Dale. “Overcoming the challenges related to building this newest home will help the team understand how to scale Net Zero Homes as the demand increases and stay up to date with building practices.”

The homebuilder is also working hard to educate buyers with transparency, using in-home displays, performance data, trained staff, and signage to highlight energy savings, comfort, and long-term value. The goal is to help clients confidently choose a Net Zero Home.

Sterling Homes is changing homebuyers’ perceptions of what sustainability looks like. The Westminster’s innovative design offering upscale performance at a competitive price is sure to appeal to homebuyers seeking sustainable living and long-term energy savings without sacrificing style.