Support for Capacity Building and Step Code Implementation
June 2021 update (click the image for full-sized version):
Share this video with your community and clients: https://youtu.be/3J8nP_owhgU
For Builders and Trades
Working with an Energy Advisor
Working with an Energy Advisor:
workingwithEA-Final.pdf
Mechanical System Solutions (3 Part series)
Part 1:
Recording from April 8, 2021
Mechanical Decision Tree:
4.1-HVAC-Mechanical-System-Options.pdf
Part 2:
Recording from May 6, 2021
Enclosure & Airtightness Solutions
Airtightness Sign:
airtight-building-sign-new.pdf
BuildSmart Tailgate on-site airtightness training:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1KCaX3_LLo&list=PLlbW7jHE7jWlFDmoxJrWaybY5UqpYM68z&index=11
Step Code Solutions for Northern BC
- The Canadian Home Builders’ Northern BC Association covered the costs to the builder for an Energy Advisor (energy modelling, airtightness testing, incentives and labels) for ten projects *travel costs included
- Emphasis to work with builders in a variety of communities (size and location) throughout northern BC
- Two on-site mid-construction blower door test events were well attended by builders, building officials, EAs, designers and tradespersons, before COVID restrictions were enacted
- An online wrap-up event, ‘Step Code Solutions for Northern BC’ in partnership with the Community Energy Association on May 19, 2021, featured the 10 resulting case studies, builders sharing their experiences, and more than 100 registrations
See the Case Study here: https://docs.communityenergy.ca/wp-content/uploads/CaseStudies_CHBANorthernBC.2021FinalReport.pdf
More Case Study information on the Energy Step Code website
There were 4 "Best Practices for Working with an Energy Advisor" sessions held for industry and local government staff through Spring 2021. View the March 10, 2021 recording here: https://building-a-legacy-resources.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/WorkingwithanEA.mp4
PDF Document: Working with an Energy Advisor: Your roadmap to a High Performance Home
Find a local qualified energy advisor: https://betterhomesbc.ca/ea/
CEA partnered with Hamid Design Build (HDB) to construct a set of 10 mobile demonstration wall assemblies, wall to window intersections, 9 roof assemblies, and several below-grade mock-ups, to assist with hands-on education (see the technical booklets links below).
These mobile assemblies, and accompanying booklets, showcase various methods of improving energy efficiency and moisture performances, effective building envelope detailing at window to wall interface, penetrations, as well as steps to improve the long-term performance of the building envelope.
The assemblies represent a wide range of basic code-built to high-performance design and construction. No one assembly is the “correct” one as there are pros and cons of each which are dependent on a myriad of other factors such as location, climate, materials availability, budget, etc.
Technical Booklets:
Booklet_CEA_Roof_Assemblies_Final_Version.pdf
Booklet_CEA_Wall_Assemblies_Final_Version.pdf
CleanBC Better Homes New Construction Program (Part 9) – Up to $15K for eligible new homes
See https://betterhomesbc.ca/rebates/cleanbc-new-construction/
CleanBC Commercial Express (Part 3) - https://betterbuildingsbc.ca/incentives/cleanbc-commercial-express-program/
targeted to operators of small and medium-sized businesses with interest in fuel switching
CleanBC GoElectric (Part 9 and Part 3)
https://electricvehicles.bchydro.com/incentives/charger-rebates -
CleanBC Better Buildings – Custom, Custom Lite, New Construction (Part 3)
rebates for home (single family and MURB) and workplace EV charging
FortisBC
https://www.fortisbc.com/rebates/home/new-home-construction?utm_campaign=newhome&utm_source=collateral&utm_content=newhomeew Home Program
Part 3 (and soon large Part 9) FortisBC Commercial New Construction program: https://www.fortisbc.com/cnc
*check with your energy advisor and building official for any additional local incentives
Quick Links
YouTube Channel
Building A Legacy playlist
BC Energy Step Code:
www.energystepcode.ca
BCIT - Zero Energy Buildings
https://commons.bcit.ca/zeroenergybuildings/videos
BC Housing Resources:
Building Envelope Thermal Bridging Guide
Technical Resources
StepWin: https://stepwin.ca
StepWin is a web-based tool with an intuitive interface for Step Code Evaluation.
Shift: http://shift.opentech.eco
Shift helps building industry participants, investors, and policy makers to:
- understand the changing building codes by city
- identify the changing component landscape
- realize new opportunities
Logos and images are available for your use. Please do not remove credit.
BC Energy Step Code Graphics:
High Performance House Graphic
HighPerformanceHouseGraphic.png
Building A Legacy:
BALlogo.png
BALheader.png
BALfooter.png
BALpresentation-image.png
Building A Legacy Tailgate:
For Local Government
Notified:
City of Terrace Sept 13, 2019
Town of Smithers Sept 4, 2019
City of Prince George Feb 19, 2020
District of Kitimat Nov 6, 2020
To notify, visit: https://energystepcode.ca/notification/
Council Presentations:
City of Prince George: June 14, 2021: view the presentation
Regional District Bulkley-Nechako: May 3, 2021
Vanderhoof: December 2, 2020
Prince Rupert: Nov 25, 2019
Prince George: Oct 2, 2019
Smithers: Aug 30, 2019
Contact us if you would like a council presentation: info@communityenergy.bc.ca
Other:
Terrace BCIT workshop: Feb 11, 2020
Kitimat Staff workshop: Oct 1, 2019
Read the Best Practices Guide for Local Governments
Why Notify?
- signal to market
- build energy advisor capacity
- better homes sooner for residents
There were 3 Deep Dive meetings in 2021 regarding Step Code in the North. Recordings of these meetings are available to Local Government staff through the SCPN website. Email ssedlowsky@communityenergy.bc.ca for access. There are 4 quarterly meetings per year and 4 or more deep dives on a variety of topics each year.
The mandate of the Step Code Peer Network is to support local governments to successfully implement the BC Energy Step Code by bringing local government staff together to support peer learning and knowledge sharing. The purpose of the BC Energy Step Code Local Government Peer Network is to:
- Accelerate local government understanding and adoption of the BC Energy Step Code
- Prepare local governments for successful implementation of the BC Energy Step Code
- Provide a communication channel between local governments and the Energy Step Code Council
The Building A Legacy (BAL) Toolkit, inspired by the successful BC Energy Step Code (ESC) engagement initiative carried out in the East Kootenay region of BC, has been prepared for local governments to assist the implementation of the ESC. In this guidebook you will find a general introduction to ESC, related Provincial and local government context, and a collection of implementation activities for use by municipalities.
On this BAL Toolkit webpage: www.communityenergy.ca/BAL, you will find free webinars, a link to the guidebook, and additional resources and customizable templates for use in your region’s ESC implementation program. This toolkit is applicable to all communities, large and small, seeking to implement ESC for new buildings.
Implementation of the toolkit is about building local capacity. Ideally there is staff support and resources to execute. Additional support and facilitation, can be provided by CEA. See the CEA Building A Legacy webpage for ideas about what might also work in your regional context: https://www.communityenergy.ca/projects/building-a-legacy/. We are happy to answer questions about this guide and or toolkit. To contact CEA directly, email us at info@communityenergy.bc.ca
- The Canadian Home Builders’ Northern BC Association covered the costs to the builder for an Energy Advisor (energy modelling, airtightness testing, incentives and labels) for ten projects *travel costs included
- Emphasis to work with builders in a variety of communities (size and location) throughout northern BC
- Two on-site mid-construction blower door test events were well attended by builders, building officials, EAs, designers and tradespersons, before COVID restrictions were enacted
- An online wrap-up event, ‘Step Code Solutions for Northern BC’ in partnership with the Community Energy Association on May 19, 2021, featured the 10 resulting case studies, builders sharing their experiences, and more than 100 registrations
See the Case Study here: https://docs.communityenergy.ca/wp-content/uploads/CaseStudies_CHBANorthernBC.2021FinalReport.pdf
More Case Study information on the Energy Step Code website
There were 4 "Best Practices for Working with an Energy Advisor" sessions held for industry and local government staff through Spring 2021. View the March 10, 2021 recording here: https://building-a-legacy-resources.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/WorkingwithanEA.mp4
There was a Deep Dive on May 12, 2021 of the Step Code Peer Network specifically addressing compliance and the role of EA in working with local government staff. Please see the Peer Network session for access.
PDF Document: Working with an Energy Advisor: Your roadmap to a High Performance Home
Find a local qualified energy advisor: https://betterhomesbc.ca/ea/
CleanBC Better Homes New Construction Program (Part 9) – Up to $15K for eligible new homes
See https://betterhomesbc.ca/rebates/cleanbc-new-construction/
CleanBC Commercial Express (Part 3) - https://betterbuildingsbc.ca/incentives/cleanbc-commercial-express-program/
targeted to operators of small and medium-sized businesses with interest in fuel switching
CleanBC GoElectric (Part 9 and Part 3)
https://electricvehicles.bchydro.com/incentives/charger-rebates -
CleanBC Better Buildings – Custom, Custom Lite, New Construction (Part 3)
rebates for home (single family and MURB) and workplace EV charging
FortisBC
https://www.fortisbc.com/rebates/home/new-home-construction?utm_campaign=newhome&utm_source=collateral&utm_content=newhomeew Home Program
Part 3 (and soon large Part 9) FortisBC Commercial New Construction program: https://www.fortisbc.com/cnc
*check with your energy advisor and building official for any additional local incentives
“Building A Legacy” is an initiative of the Community Energy Association (CEA). This toolkit was created by CEA to enable customized replication of the successful outreach, policy, and education program first delivered in the East Kootenay. Credit to CEA.
Acknowledgements
This toolkit was developed and prototyped by the Community Energy Manager role in the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) and prepared by CEA.
We gratefully acknowledge that this guide has been made possible with the direct financial support of BC Hydro, with various elements of the Building A Legacy East Kootenay program having been developed through financial contributions from BC Hydro, Columbia Basin Trust, RDEK, FortisBC, Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia and BC Housing.
