BC Energy Step Code - Build Energy Smart

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The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary has committed to implementing the BC Energy Step Code for new homes and buildings in RDKB electoral areas on January 1, 2021. Builders and homeowners can choose to follow the Energy Step Code’s performance path or the existing prescriptive path in the BC Building Code.

The Build Energy Smart Project is aimed at providing support and resources to the building industry to help you prepare for the Province mandating Energy Step Code in 2022.

Please take a look on this page at courses and conferences available, take our brief survey and join in the

The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary has committed to implementing the BC Energy Step Code for new homes and buildings in RDKB electoral areas on January 1, 2021. Builders and homeowners can choose to follow the Energy Step Code’s performance path or the existing prescriptive path in the BC Building Code.

The Build Energy Smart Project is aimed at providing support and resources to the building industry to help you prepare for the Province mandating Energy Step Code in 2022.

Please take a look on this page at courses and conferences available, take our brief survey and join in the conversation with your building industry colleagues on our forum.

BC Energy Step Code

The Province of BC has committed to taking incremental steps to increase energy-efficiency requirements in the BC Building Code to make new buildings net-zero energy ready by 2032. The Province's first step is to require all new buildings to be 20% better than current building code by 2022.

The Energy 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.

To comply with the Energy Step Code, builders engage an energy advisor who uses energy modelling software and on-site testing to demonstrate that both their design and the constructed building meet the requirements of the Energy Step Code.

  • BCIT Energy Step Code Training - Online

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    26 Nov 2020
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    The BCIT Zero Energy Buildings courses are tailored to busy construction professionals allowing you to enhance your toolbox with the knowledge and skills to build to the BC Energy Step Code. Their new courses focus on hands on demos and construction problem-solving ensuring your learning occurs using real life mockups. Check them out here!

    CESA 1505 Zero Energy Buildings (All-in-one) - Tuesday afternoon from April 20 - July 22, 2021

    CESA 1001 - Zero Energy Building Fundamentals - Tuesday afternoon for April 20 - May 04, 2021

    CESA 0100 - Introduction to Zero Energy/Low-TEDI Buildings Design Process (Part 3 Buildings), Tuesday and Thursday afternoon for April 06 - April 15, 2021

    CESA 1501 Passive House Tradesperson - Tuesday afternoon from April 20 - June 22, 2021 plus Thursday April 22.

  • Building the House of Tomorrow - Murray Frank

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    25 Feb 2021

    This is a full education series describing every step of the design and construction of a Net Zero home, off-grid and embracing some of the technologies that will become the new normal in the construction of residential homes.

    Our seminars and series are brought to you by Murray Frank and the team at Constructive Home Solutions, the same team that have developed and delivered "Building Smart" on Behalf of the Homeowner Protection Office and the Province of B.C.

    Courses are Pre-Approved by the BC Housing Office for CPD credits.

    https://buildingitright.com/houseoftomorrow.html

  • Unvented Roofs Without Spray Foam: A New Free Online Course

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    18 Dec 2020
    This course is based on the outcomes of a 3 year experiment on unvented roofs without spray foam or exterior rigid insulation. The experiment examined cellulose vs. fiberglass insulation, interior vapor control membranes, diffusion vents at the ridge, interior humidification, inward vapor drive issues, and the effect of air barrier imperfections. This free course taught by Kohta Ueno and offered in partnership with the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association and Building Science Corporation.

    Learning Objectives
    • Explain the moisture risks inherent in unvented/compact roof assemblies with fibrous (air‐permeable) insulation
    • Define the roles that vapor diffusion and air leakage have on moisture levels in roofs
    • Explain the role that a vapor diffusion vent can have in ameliorating roof moisture risks
    • Describe the risks of inward vapor drive in unvented roof assemblies

  • Pattern Language from Passive House

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    14 Dec 2020
    "A Pattern Language from Passive House" is an interactive workshop that teaches cost-effective planning and design of affordable, low-emission, mid-rise, multi-unit, wood-framed housing.


    This four-part workshop presents design problems common to multi-unit buildings, followed by solutions that have worked in previous high-performance projects. These solutions are organized into "patterns" using a format adapted from A Pattern Language by Christopher Alexander (et al).

    Course Dates and Times

    Dates: January 5, 12, 19, 26

    Times: 12:30pm - 3:30pm PST

    To register - Click here

    Flash sale starts: Wednesday, December 16 at 5:00am PST
    Flash sale ends: Friday, December 18 at 11:59pm PST
    Use access code flashsale to receive your discount.

  • HVAC & Refrigeration Training - Online (80% off)

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    26 Nov 2020
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    Take advantage of residential & small commercial courses focused on heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration at an 80% reduction in price! Register here!

    FortisBC has been working with Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) to offer some of their online courses at a highly subsidized rate. This offer is open to anyone in BC thanks to FortisBC’s BUILTbetter program.

  • RDKB Energy Step Code Information Session - December 10, 2020

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    15 Mar 2021
    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
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    You are invited to a virtual Builder's Breakfast to discuss the new Building Bylaw and BC Energy Step Code. The RDKB is updating their Building Bylaw and is implementing voluntary compliance with BC Energy Step Code.



    Agenda:

    • Introduction
    • Key changes in the RDKB Building Bylaw
    • Building to Energy Step Code
    • Working with an Energy Advisor
    • FortisBC enhanced rebates - new home program
    • RDKB Processes

    Builders / designers / trades and anyone involved in the building industry in the region is welcome to attend. Please register so we know to expect you https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MuY3I-bfRT234HHefaQuHQ.

    More Information: Freya Phillips | Senior Energy Specialist | fphillips@rdkb.com | 250.368.0280 | Regional District of Kootenay Boundary

    THIS EVENT IS FUNDED BY FORTISBC.

  • Best practices for working with an Energy Advisor

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    15 Mar 2021
    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    Free webinar offered by the Community Energy Association, March 10 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am

    BC building codes are evolving, and we want you know how to benefit. This webinar will help the building industry better understand the “performance pathway” of the BC Energy Step Code and how to get results from working with an energy advisor.

    Delivered by Community Energy Association (CEA), with lead instructor and Energy Advisor, Mark Bernhardt, this particular session will highlight experiences and case-studies from the Kootenay region of BC, but is open and applicable to participants province-wide and beyond. Funding generously provided by BC Hydro.

    To register for the event - https://energystepcode.ca/event/best-practices-for-working-with-an-energy-advisor/