Where We Live and Work
Step Up New Buildings
Objectives
Enhance energy efficiency and low carbon heating in new buildings
1. Enhance Energy Step Code adoption to include a low carbon approach 2. Build industry capacity
Overview While existing buildings generate the majority of building-related greenhouse gas emissions, local governments have greater authority to influence new construction. They can do so via the BC Energy Step Code, a section of the BC Building Code that local governments may use to require or incentivize better-than-code energy performance in new construction. While the Step Code is a great tool for improving overall building energy performance, it does not explicitly address emissions from new buildings. Local governments can address influence emissions by implementing the regulation in tandem with incentives that target zero-emission heating and cooling systems. City of Penticton’s population is growing at a rate of 0.98%. Every new building built to minimum code standards is a lost opportunity for improved energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions and is one more building that will have to be retrofitted down the road.
Looking Forward to 2030 – An Aspirational Target
All new buildings (~180/year, 1,600 by 2030) will be built to Step 4 of the Energy Step Code (40% more efficient), and 75% of our community’s new buildings (135/year, 1,200 by 2030) will use only zero carbon energy sources for space and water heating. The building industry is now focused on whole building performance, as opposed to prescriptive code requirements. Energy performance is quantified and verified, so homeowners and buyers now have a better understanding on the long-term operations cost of the home. Homes are quiet, comfortable and durable. Energy costs are minimized through efficient design that reduces demand.
Penticton CCAP
Provincial Action The province’s CleanBC climate plan outlines the dates when the base BC Building Code will adopt BC Energy Step Code performance targets:
In 2022, all new buildings will be 20% more energy efficient than those built to meet today’s minimum code requirements.
By 2027, all new buildings will be 40% more energy efficient
By 2032, all new buildings will be “net zero energy ready”.
CleanBC Better Homes links homeowners and residential builders to rebates and resources, and CleanBC Better Buildings provides funding and capital incentives to encourage energy efficient design, construction and renovation in larger buildings.
Federal Action Natural Resources Canada’s Build Smart: Canada’s Buildings Strategy establishes the goal that all provinces and territories will adopt a net-zero energy-ready model building code by 2030.
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