Thanks to help from a FortisBC program, a builder in British Columbia has achieved the highest level of the province’s Energy Step Code. It’s an optional compliance path in the BC Building Code that local governments can voluntarily adopt to require higher levels of energy efficiency in construction development.
Located within a seven-unit duplex development in the city of Kimberley, the home was built by Tyee Homes and assisted in its energy efficiency by FortisBC’s New Home Program. The program provides new-construction rebates that encourage builders to build homes that use less energy and are more comfortable to live in. Builders also collaborate with teams at the utility in an integrated design process.
Tyee Homes was able to access $10,000 in incentives from FortisBC for achieving energy performance and $800 for working with an energy adviser.
According to Tanya Rumak, program manager, conservation and energy management at FortisBC, Tyee Homes has been participating in FortisBC’s rebate programs for a number of years. It achieved Step 5, the highest Step level, by choosing an efficient building design with an emphasis on exceptional air tightness, increased insulation and a high-efficiency mechanical system. Working with the energy adviser, Tyee Homes was also able to incorporate passive solar design using triple-glaze windows and coatings based on each window’s orientation. Covered decks provide window shading in the summer to minimize air conditioning requirements.
“The home includes a high-efficiency natural gas combination space and water heating system,” Rumak told American Gas. “Tyee Homes also offers in-floor radiant heating due to its high-efficiency and multizone heating capabilities.”
The benefits of building to Step 5 include a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, an increased comfort level and lower energy bills.
“Working with builders across BC has helped create a better understanding of the tactics needed to reduce total energy requirements of new homes across different regions of the province,” Rumak said. “Builders who worked with an energy adviser demonstrated that new home projects can achieve higher levels of Step Code and provide comfort and energy efficiency to homeowners with natural gas space and water heating equipment.”
FortisBC has offered the New Home Program since 2011. In 2018, it was aligned to the BC Energy Step Code to encourage builders to meet and exceed building code requirements.