Q: What is the EnerGuide rating system?
The EnerGuide rating system is
a science-based system for rating the energy
efficiency and emissions footprint of a house, coordinated by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). Rather than prescribing specific steps, the EnerGuide rating system uses computer software to consider the building as a system. The software looks at the relationship between building envelope performance and the heating, cooling and ventilation systems within the building to improve energy efficiency. |
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Q: What does it take to achieve an EnerGuide rating of 77?
Builders who have enrolled in the EnerGuide program can work with a Natural Resources Canada-certified energy advisor, who will recommend energy-saving upgrades. When the house is finished, the energy advisor verifies the EnerGuide rating through a blower door test, which measures the air tightness of the house, which is one indicator of its energy efficiency. |
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Q: Are you requiring EnerGuide testing of every new home?
No. The new requirements are designed to offer builders options for achieving greater energy efficiency. Those who do not want to follow the EnerGuide path can achieve compliance with the Building Code by meeting the new insulation requirements instead. |
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Q: There are not enough certified energy advisors. Isn’t this going to slow down construction and increase costs?
The EnerGuide path is an option which requires the services of a certified energy advisor. As the industry grows, more and more energy advisors are being trained to meet the demand.
Builders who do not wish to use an energy
advisor can achieve compliance with the Building Code
by meeting the new insulation requirements
instead, which do not require the services of an energy advisor. |
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Q: What does it take to meet the ASHRAE 90.1 2004 standard?
ASHRAE 90.1 applies to several building components—the building envelope; heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems; water heating; and power, lighting
and other equipment. Individual requirements in
the standard, such as wall insulation, may
differ depending on the climatic zone in which
the building is located.
Compliance with the standard can be achieved
either by meeting prescriptive requirements or by
using computer software to model the building and
determine how to achieve a particular energy
performance target. Trade-offs among different
building components may be used to achieve the
target. The building project architect and engineers
will develop a design that conforms to the ASHRAE
standard. |
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Q: Why did the Province choose to wait until September 5 to implement the new Code requirements?
The Province is committed to helping industry and local governments prepare for the new requirements by providing lead-in time so that those who use the Code can become familiar with the changes. |
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Q: What happens to building projects that are already underway?
Projects that have applied for a building permit before September 5 can proceed as planned without having to meet the new requirements. |
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Q: How will the new requirements apply to existing buildings?
The new requirements will apply in the same way as the current Building Code—they will apply to new construction and renovations. People beginning renovation work should confirm the requirements with their local government. |
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Q: How will the new green requirements be enforced?
These provisions will be part of the Building Code, making them enforceable through local government building departments, just like other Code requirements. |
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Q: Will the new Code requirements increase the cost of new homes?
B.C. has a variety of different climate zones, which require different construction techniques and materials to achieve energy efficiency. While construction costs for houses are expected to increase from 0.3 per cent to 1.3 per cent, this will be offset by energy savings in four to nine years, depending on
location.
As well, as green building techniques become the new industry standard, the cost of associated materials and products will likely come down. |
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Q: These requirements deal only with water and energy efficiency. What else is the Province doing?
The first steps in greening the Building Code focus on water and energy efficiency—two areas where we can make immediate, measurable improvements. We have already begun to explore further areas of improvement, including grey water recycling, the use of lighting sensors and the reuse of existing buildings. As we proceed we will consult with local governments, industry and the public. |
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Q: Why not just mandate the use of LEED or another existing green building rating system?
We’ve designed these changes to be compatible with existing programs like LEED or Built Green so developers can meet the green requirements of the Building Code while still pursuing green certification. Many of these green requirements contribute points toward rating systems like LEED, while giving builders flexibility to decide whether they wish to officially register their project with a third-party system.
It is important that the Province’s green building requirements stand alone because green rating systems generally have a much broader scope than the Building Code, such as the recycling of waste, choice of appliances and site planning. |
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Q: There is already a shortage of qualified building and trades people. Won’t adding more requirements make it harder to find qualified people?
The shortage of qualified builders and trades definitely presents a challenge. That’s why we kept the new green Code provisions simple, straightforward and based on well-understood techniques such as the use of insulation. There will be a lead-in period before the new requirements come into effect. This will give local governments and industry time to prepare. We are also working with industry and local governments to establish training for Code users to make sure the transition to the new requirements will be as smooth as possible.
NEW! Homeowner Protection Office Code Change Seminar Series - Greening the BC Building Code: Are you ready for September?
NEW! Introduction
to Energy Modeling for ASHRAE 90.1 (2004)This half-day
introductory-level workshop
from Light House Sustainable
Building Centre will help designers,
building officials, developers and other
Building Code users become familiar with energy
models and the important role they play in the
design and regulatory processes.
NEW! Building
Energy Simulation Training Using EE4 Version
1.70 This
two-day hands-on workshop will show architects,
engineers and other design professionals
how to use modelling to comply with the BC
Building Code's new energy efficiency requirements.
NEW! Greening the Building Code Seminars - September 2008 The Building Officials' Association of BC in cooperation with the British Columbia Building & Safety Policy Branch, Ministry of Housing & Social Development and the Electricity & Alternative Energy Division, Ministry of Energy, Mines & Resources are delivering Education Seminars on Greening the BC Building Code across BC in September 2008. More information and registration.
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Q: Can local governments require technical building standards in addition to what is announced here?
We are trying to accommodate communities that want additional building standards. However, we also have to balance local innovation with the need for consistent standards across B.C. Local governments can explore additional building standards, but these will be subject to ministerial approval. |
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Q: What sort of energy savings and greenhouse gas reductions will EnerGuide and ASHRAE result in?
Establishing province-wide requirements in the Building Code will help the Province to meet its energy conservation and greenhouse gas reduction targets, and will reduce energy costs for British Columbians over the longer term. The savings will continue to grow as more new buildings are constructed.
The table below gives an indication of the impacts the new requirements are expected to have:
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Reduction in annual GHG emissions by 2020 (tonnes) |
Reduction in annual energy consumption by 2020 |
Annual savings by 2020 ($) |
| Houses and low-rise residential buildings |
109,000 |
232 GWh (electricity)
2188 TJ (terajoules) (natural gas) |
$24 million |
| High-rise residential and larger buildings |
230,000 |
576 GWh (electricity)
4564 TJ (natural gas) |
$50 million |
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