Energy Efficiency

The Province has committed to taking incremental steps to increase energy-efficiency requirements in the BC Building Code and to make buildings net-zero energy ready by 2032 in line with CleanBC goals. The BC Energy Step Code is a part of the BC Building Code.

On this Page

• What is it?
• Why do we have it?
• When does it take effect?
• BC Energy Step Code information

What is it?

The BC Energy Step Code is currently a voluntary provincial standard that provides an incremental and consistent approach to achieving more energy-efficient buildings that go beyond the requirements of the base BC Building Code. It does so by establishing a series of measurable, performance-based energy-efficiency requirements for construction that builders can choose to build to, and communities may voluntarily choose to adopt in bylaws and policies.

Why do we have it? 

The BC Energy Step Code is a single provincial standard which allows local governments to continue to play a leadership role in improving energy efficiency, while providing a single standard for industry, building capacity over time.

When does it take effect?

The BC Energy Step Code came into force in April 2017; builders have the option of building to the requirements in the Energy Step Code at any time. Currently, local governments have the authority to require or incentivise builders to meet one or more steps. In future, new homes will need to be built better than the current BC Building Code:

• 20 per cent more energy efficient by 2022 
• 40 per cent more energy efficient by 2027
• 80 per cent more energy efficient by 2032 which is
  the net-zero energy ready standard

BC Energy Step Code information

Visit the BC Energy Step Code website.

On this site you will find information on how the BC Energy Step Code works, the multi-stakeholder Energy Step Code Council, local government implementation updates and other use useful resources.