BC Energy Step Code

BC Building Code Consultation

The Building and Safety Standards Branch (BSSB) has released proposed revisions to BC Building Code 2018 (BCBC 2018) for public review. These include proposed changes to minimum energy efficiency requirements for most Part 9 and Part 3 buildings, as well as an opt-in carbon pollution standard.

Click the link to view the news release: https://boabc.org/bc-building-code-consultation/

The public review period ended on November 4, 2022.

Project information

The Province of BC has committed to taking incremental steps to increase energy-efficiency requirements in the BC Building Code to make new buildings net-zero energy ready by 2032 and has committed to requiring all new buildings be 20% better than the current building code by December 2022.

The BC Energy Step Code is currently an optional performance-based compliance path in the BC Building Code. The Energy Step Code does not specify how to construct a building, instead, it identifies energy-efficiency targets that must be met and allows the designer/builder to decide how to meet them. To comply with Energy Step Code, builders engage an energy advisor who uses modelling software and on-site testing to demonstrate that both the building design and construction meet the requirements of the Energy Step Code.

The RDOS engaged communities and industry professionals across the regional district to build knowledge and skills for compliance while minimizing the risk of non-compliance and the cost to consumers. Communities were asked to consider the three options below for implementation, for which consultation has now closed.

1. Early Mandatory Compliance with Energy Step Code (lower steps) before it becomes BC Building Code
2. Voluntary Compliance with Energy Step Code with potential incentives before it becomes BC Building Code
3. Wait for the Province to adopt through Building Code (December 2022)

Archive: information release.

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