BC Energy Step Code

BC Energy Step Code Adopted in the Township

After an extensive process of public stakeholder engagement and industry consultation, the Township of Langley has adopted the BC Energy Step Code . Effective January 1, 2019, compliance with the BC Energy Step Code is required for all new building permit applications for residential buildings.

• Step 2 is now required for all new residential building permit applications (Part 9 & Part 3 of the BC Building Code) as of January 1, 2020
• Buildings can voluntarily be built to a higher step, with steps 4 and 5 being eligible for a rebate
• Please note that buildings located within a Development Permit Area may also require additional measures for either Energy Conservation or reduction of GHG Emissions
• Step Code is not required for other (non-residential) building types at this time

The adoption of the Step Code builds on the success of the Township’s voluntary Green Building Rebate Program, established in 2014.  Adopting the Step Code allows the Township to continue to meet goals within the community to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the operation of buildings.  

What is the Step Code?

The Step Code is a new provincial standard that provides an incremental and consistent approach to achieve energy efficient construction. The Step Code requires buildings to demonstrate energy efficiency code compliance through:

1. Building energy modeling
2. Airtightness testing

This means builders will be required to work with a qualified energy consultant (an Energy Advisor or energy modeler). Projects that use the Step Code must demonstrate compliance with a number of performance targets:

Part 9 Step Code Residential Targets

Part 3 Step Code Residential Targets

The Step Code provides local government and industry with a clear framework to make progress towards the provincial goal that all new construction in BC is built “net-zero energy ready” by 2032. The Province defines a net-zero energy ready building as one that has been designed and built to a level of performance, such that it could (with additional measures) generate enough onsite energy to meet its own energy needs. It’s expected that net-zero energy ready buildings will be required by the BC Building Code by 2032.

More information can be found on the BC Energy Step Code website .

Building Permit Application Documents

The following documents are required to as part of all new building permit applications for Step Code projects:

Part 9 Buildings

• Part 9 Step Code Compliance Report
  • Pre-construction form, submitted at time of BP application
  • As-Built form, submitted at time of final inspection
• An energy modeling report (typically an EnerGuide report with accompanying HOT2000 data for Part 9 houses) must accompany all building permit applications.
• The application shall also include energy statements on the drawings indicating that the project complies with the BC Energy Step Code, the climate zone (Climate Zone 4), the specific Step pursued and the required step code target metrics (TEDI, TEUI/MEUI, Airtightness) and the actual values achieved in the model as applicable.
• Air barrier details shall be shown on the drawings (in red).
• For non-residential Part 9 projects, contact the building department for the building permit application requirements.

NOTE: The Township of Langley Step Code Bulletin  provides clarification on Step Code compliance issues such as acceptable approaches to whole building energy modeling for Part 9 multifamily projects modeled in Hot2000.

Part 3 Buildings

• Part 3 Step Code Energy Intensity Report , or
• Part 3 Design Intent Letter for projects to which the Step Code does not apply {other than residential use in accordance with 10.2.2.1.(1)(a) or 10.2.2.1.(1)(b)} shall use this form to demonstrate compliance with either ASHRAE 90.1 or the NECB.

Available Step Code Incentives

A number of incentives are available for projects that wish to conduct mid-construction blower door testing or design to the upper steps of the Step Code. Information on these incentives can be found below:

• Mid-Construction Blower Door Testing Incentive Program 
• Energy Evaluations 
• Single Family Dwellings – Upper Steps Incentive Program 
• Multi-Family Dwellings – Upper Steps Incentive Program 

Stakeholder Engagement and Consultation

The Township submitted a BC Energy Step Code Notice of Consultation to the Province on November 7, 2017. After engaging the development and construction community in early 2018, a clear path forward for the integration of the Step Code over several years was brought to council and approved as part of the Township of Langley’s Building Bylaw.

Report to Mayor and Council 

Langley Building Bylaw 

BC Energy Step Code Presentations and Webinars

Energy Step Code Demonstration Home Presentations and Videos

The Township of Langley presented a series of Energy Step Code Demonstration Home tours and workshops in partnership with Clay Construction, BC Hydro, and City Green. The goal of the August workshops was to demonstrate techniques and training at an active construction site to help the construction industry meet the BC Energy Step Code performance targets. In December, the completed home hosted Realtors and the public to showcase its energy efficient features.  Industry experts presented during an afternoon workshop and an evening open house.

Presentations
December 2019

• Selling the Benefits of Energy Efficient Homes 

August 2019

• High Performance Ducting 
• Mid-Construction Blower Door Test 
• Compliance with BC Energy Step Code 
• Step Code for Building Inspectors 

Videos

• Energy Step Code Demonstration Home Preview
• High Performance Ducting
  • Workshop
  • Demonstration
• Mid-Construction Blower Test
  • Workshop
  • Demonstration
• Compliance with BC Energy Step Code - General
• Compliance with BC Energy Step Code - Building Inspectors

Builder Forum Series: Building Envelope Energy Efficiency – How to Avoid Surprises (Feb. 6, 2020)

The Township of Langley hosted this builder forum series event in partnership with the City of Abbotsford and City of Surrey to share information related to building envelope energy efficiency and how it relates to the BC Energy Step Code.  Hamid Heidarali of Hamid Design Build Ltd. explained a holistic approach to building energy efficiently within the airtightness and thermal performance requirements of the BC Energy Step Code.  This event was an educational partnership with BC Hydro, and sponsored by FortisBC.

• Presentation Video
• Presentation Slides

Airtightness Forum Presentations (Apr. 25, 2019)

In partnership with the City of Surrey, the Township of Langley organized a training forum on airtightness and the BC Energy Step Code.  As airtightness is an essential measure in achieving the BC Energy Stop Code performance targets, local builders and industry experts presented on air barriers and how to achieve Step Code-level airtightness.

• Township of Langley Step Code Update 
• City of Surrey Step Code Update 
• Small Planet Supply - Albert Rooks and James Bourget 
• RDH Building Science - James Higgins and James Bourget 
• Clay Construction – Larry Clay 
• Odessa Group – Nathan Stone 

Other

• Step Code Builder’s Forum Presentation (Dec 11, 2018) 
• For information on previous events, training opportunities, and past webinar recordings, visit BC Energy Step Code 2017-18 Presentations & Webinars.

For more information, contact the Township’s Community Development Division at 604-533-6018 or buildinginfo@tol.ca.