The RDKB will implement the BC Energy Step Code for new homes and buildings on January 1, 2021. Builders and homeowners can choose to follow the Step Code’s performance path or the existing prescriptive path currently laid out in the BC Building Code.
Diane Langman, RDKB Board Chair said that: “As a regional district, we are committed to taking action to increase our own energy efficiency in our buildings and facilities to move us closer to being carbon neutral. We are also committed to supporting and informing builders and homeowners so everyone is prepared for more stringent energy efficiency requirements coming in 2022 and for owners to understand what they can do to lower their carbon footprint now,”
The RDKB has been in consultation with the construction industry and residents this past year and asked for input on BC Energy Step Code implementation options. Community feedback led to the RDKB adopting voluntary compliance.
Information Session December 10, 2020
The RDKB will hold a BC Energy Step Code virtual information session on Thursday, December 10 to review the RDKB Building Bylaw, provide an overview of the Step Code, and explain how to work with an Energy Advisor and take advantage of incentives and rebates.
Use this link for registration is at or email [email protected].
The information session is part of – Build Energy Smart – a special project on jointheconversation.rdkb.com that provides the building industry with one central portal to resources, information on education and training sessions as well as on online newsletter, Q and A tool, and discussion forum.
About the BC Energy Step Code
The BC Energy Step Code is a provincial standard that provides a five-step, incremental approach to make buildings more energy-efficient so the Province of B.C. can meet the goal of having all new buildings Net Zero Energy ready by 2032. ‘Net zero’ means that emission of greenhouse gases equals the equivalent of the volume of greenhouse gases absorbed from the atmosphere. This will start with the Province requiring by 2022 that all new buildings are 20 per cent more energy efficient than what the current building code requires.
The Step Code’s performance path establishes a desired outcome, and leaves it to the design and building team to decide how to achieve it. The current BC Building Code’s prescriptive path means buildings must meet specific requirements for insulation, windows, furnaces, water heaters, lighting and other equipment and systems. The aim is to build more energy efficient buildings and reduce the volume of greenhouse gases produced by heating and cooling homes, apartments and commercial buildings.
**information from RDKB press release**