One of the major steps taken in the wake of the Climate Leadership Plan formulated in August 2016 is the recent proposal of the new energy step code. This code will outline a different set of energy efficiency requirements for new construction projects, that go way beyond the guidelines mentioned in the British Columbia Building Code.

Apart from paving the way for the development of Net Zero energy ready buildings by the year 2032, the proposed step code will be able to provide a more consistent and localized solution to stipulating the energy efficiency guidelines for the province as opposed to the plethora of programs and policies laid down by the different local governments. In other words, the step code will support the Building Act by ensuring that the technical standards for construction of new buildings in the province of British Columbia stay consistent throughout.

One of the key features of the proposed energy step code is that it will be largely performance based. While every new building project will be energy-modeled prior to construction, the builder will be required to get it commissioned by incorporating air-tightness tests before the building is opened for occupation. Additionally, the step code will employ the efficiency evaluation of the building; it’s envelope (including doors, windows, insulation) and the mechanical and electrical systems such as the ventilation, heating and cooling for optimum performance.

The ‘fuel neutral’ approach of the energy step code allows the consumers and developers the flexibility of using electricity, natural gas or any other available energy resources as per their preference, without them having to pay a penalty for it. It offers everyone right from the local governments, the builders and the utility industry, the freedom and opportunity to employ cutting edge technologies and tools for not only optimizing energy efficiency, but also reducing the secretion of harmful green house gases in the atmosphere.