We present the first results from a minute cadence survey of a 3deg^2^ field obtained with the Dark Energy Camera. We imaged part of the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Legacy Survey area over eight half-nights. We use the stacked images to identify 111 high proper motion white dwarf candidates with g<=24.5mag and search for eclipse-like events and other sources of variability. We find a new g=20.64mag pulsating ZZ Ceti star with pulsation periods of 11-13min. However, we do not find any transiting planetary companions in the habitable zone of our target white dwarfs. Given the probability of eclipses of 1 per cent and our observing window from the ground, the non-detection of such companions in this first field is not surprising. Minute cadence DECam observations of additional fields will provide stringent constraints on the frequency of planets in the white dwarf habitable zone.

Cone search capability for table J/MNRAS/462/2506/table13 (Astrometry, photometry (table 1) and physical parameters (table 3) of the good white dwarf candidates in the first field)

Cone search capability for table J/MNRAS/462/2506/table24 (Astrometry, photometry (table 2) and physical parameters (table 3) of the "maybe" white dwarf candidates in the first field)