New Construction

BC Step Code Compliance Reporting

The BC Energy Step Code is a provincial regulation that local governments may use, to incentivize or require a level of energy efficiency in new construction that goes above and beyond the requirements of the BC Building Code. It consists of a series of steps, representing increasing levels of energy-efficiency performance. By gradually adopting one or more steps of the standard, local governments can increase building performance requirements in their communities. The Province of British Columbia has set a goal that all new buildings must reach a net-zero energy-ready level of efficiency by 2032; the BC Energy Step Code serves as the policy pathway to achieve that goal.

Net-zero energy buildings produce as much clean energy as they consume. They are up to 80 percent more energy efficient than a typical new building and use on-site (or near-site) renewable energy systems to produce the remaining energy they need.

A net-zero energy-ready building is one that has been designed and built to a level of performance such that it could, with the addition of solar panels or other renewable energy technologies, achieve net-zero energy performance.

In most regions throughout BC, building permit applications for Part 9 residential buildings must include:

A completed Pre-Construction BC Energy Compliance Report; and an energy model provided by a licensed Energy Advisor or qualified energy modeller (for example, HOT2000 detailed report).

This typically includes,

  • A BC Energy Compliance Report: Pre-Construction Report, including Section F, completed by a Certified Energy Advisor
  • Energy Model Full House Reports, House with Standard Operating Conditions or the Proposed House, and EnerGuide Rating System Reference House or the Reference House
  • A copy of the BC Energy Step Code Compliance Calculator
  • Two (2) sets of plan drawings clearly showing all energy efficiency upgrades noted in Section B of the BC Energy Compliance Report: Pre-Construction Form. The first the page of Pre-Construction Form must be duplicated on the assemblies sheet of the drawings
  • If the EnerGuide Rating System is utilized, the EnerGuide Homeowner Information Sheet package
  • For each Energy Advisor, a copy of a valid certificate of insurance for no less than $2 million of general liability insurance and $1 million in errors and omissions insurance

Mid-Construction Blower Door Test

It’s recommended and often required, that builders have a mid-construction blower test completed by an Energy Advisor and submit a completed Mid-Construction BC Standard Verification Report to ensure that the build is on track to meet the requirements of the mandated step.

As-Built BC Energy Compliance Report

Before occupancy, a completed As-Built BC Energy Compliance Report demonstrating compliance with the mandated step of the BC Energy Step Code must be provided. This includes,

  • A BC Energy Compliance Report: As-Built Report, including Section F, completed by an Energy Advisor, indicating post-construction blower test results and verification of all building efficiency upgrades. NOTE: The post-construction blower test result must be used by the Energy Advisor in the HOT2000 model of the As-Built house
  • HOT2000 Full House Report for both the As-Built and Reference houses
  • A confirmation email from NRCan, accepting the HOT2000 “N-file” corresponding to the As-Built HOT2000 Full House Report

Energy-Efficient Building Incentives

CleanBC Better Homes New Construction program provides rebates of up to $15,000 for the construction of new, high-performance, electric homes. Please see the useful links below for ways to apply. Rebates are also offered for retrofitting and installation of heat pumps into existing homes.

Resources

Check your Local Authority More Information

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