About Us
Founded In 2020
HomeZero Collective is a Vernon non-profit that has developed a unique neighbourhood approach to clean energy retrofits. Embarking on this exciting process as a group means lower costs, faster delivery and quality assurance. Plus, our team takes care of all the coordination for participants.
With funding and support from the Green Municipal Fund and the Federation of CanadianMunicipalities (FCM), and with our industry-leading partners, Okanagan Geothermal, Okanagan Solar, and Ground Source Drilling, we are thrilled to have successfully completed a pilot project of 11 homes in two Vernon neighbourhoods in 2024.
With so many successes and learnings along the way, we are now in a community engagement phase that aims to bring deep energy retrofits to 500 Vernon homes throughout the city over the next three years. Of course, this is just the beginning of creating a lower-carbon future for our community and creating a roadmap for other communities to follow!
FOUNDER
Amandeep Singh
Amandeep Singh was a born behind-the-scenes change maker. Over the years, he’s led several projects that tested, incubated and proved innovation across a range of industries. Since founding HomeZero Collective in 2020, he’s developed the clean energy neighbourhoods model and feasibility study that will begin to pave the way for an exciting, carbon neutral future in Vernon and beyond.
BOARD MEMBER
Ed Graydon
Beginning in the 1980’s, Ed Graydon and his team grew Graydon Security from a small family-run security business into a commercial and residential security company with multiple locations throughout BC. The partners sold to a leading Canadian telecommunications company in 2018.
Ed has over 30 years in sales, business acquisitions, marketing, operations management and human resources. He can speak firsthand to the challenges of growing a business while maintaining company culture. Since selling his company, he has worked as a business coach and acquisitions consultant, sharing his decades of experience with other entrepreneurs.
BOARD MEMBER
Emily E. MacArthur
Emily is a lawyer at Nixon Wenger, specializing in corporate/commercial law, real estate, and estate planning and administration. She grew up in Vernon and holds a BFA from the University of Victoria, as well as both an LL.B. and B.C.L. from McGill University.
Emily is also actively involved in her community, serving on the boards of Powerhouse Theatre and Caravan Farm Theatre. She is excited to join the board of the HomeZero Collective and support its mission to promote clean energy retrofits for homes in the Okanagan.
BOARD MEMBER
Kazia Mullin
Kazia Mullin brings a wealth of experience bringing big ideas to life. As a former marketing consultant and project manager, and now as the Business Services Manager at Community Futures North Okanagan, Kazia is passionate about helping entrepreneurs and social enterprises thrive at all stages.
BOARD MEMBER
Sandy Kersey, CPA
Sandy is a Chartered Professional Accountant with more than 30 years of experience spanning a variety of roles in public practice, healthcare, and manufacturing. A diligent leader who believes that good governance and controls contribute to the sustainability of an organization, Sandy is currently the Corporate Treasurer of Tolko Industries Ltd., overseeing treasury and financial risk management while providing corporate governance advisory across multiple operating jurisdictions.
"Initiatives like HomeZero Collective Society's project could not come at a better time. "
- Scott Pearce, former FCM President
OUR PARTNERS
Our partners have supported the HomeZero project since 2020 -- first with a comprehensive feasibility study, then a pilot project, and now a large-scale project.
Federation Of Canadian Municipalities
FCM has been the national voice of municipal government since 1901. Their members include more than 2,100 municipalities of all sizes, from Canada's cities and rural communities, to northern communities and 20 provincial and territorial municipal associations.
FCM has provided HomeZero funding for this pilot project through the Green Municipal Fund’s (GMF) Community Efficiency Financing (CEF) program.
Okanagan Geothermal
OGL specializes in providing solutions to homes and light commercial projects providing services for: conventional HVAC systems, geothermal systems, Solar PV, plumbing, gas, and more. They provide custom mechanical designs to meet the individual needs of your home or building.
OGL has been collaborating with HomeZero on various aspects of this project since 2020. They have been serving the Okanagan region for over 25 years.
Ground Source Drilling Ltd.
Ground Source Drilling offers geothermal drilling for residential, multi-family and commercial/institutional projects. They have been serving the Okanagan region since 1987. Their drillers are certified by the Canadian Ground Water Association as well as by the Ministry of Environment, and their installation crews are certified by the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition.
Ground Source Drilling has been engaged with the HomeZero initiative since 2020.