THE BC ENERGY STEP CODE 1 11/12/2018 Why are we here? 1. Why is - PDF document

11/12/2018 BC Energy Step Code Implementation Update Robert Baker | Assistant Chief Inspector December 11, 2018 Nick Schock | Building Energy Manager THE BC ENERGY STEP CODE 1

11/12/2018 Why are we here? 1. Why is the Energy Code Changing? a) The UN Climate Change Conference in Paris resulted in specific energy reduction targets b) Buildings represent a significant portion of Canada’s energy footprint c) The National Building Code is moving to Net Zero by 2030 a) The BC Energy Step Code is BC’s pathway to achieve the NBC targets How did the TOL get here? 2011: Adopted the Solar Hot Water Ready Regulation Offered builders the voluntary 2014 - 2017: Green Building Rebate Program Industry stakeholder consultation sessions 2018: and workshops to strategize ESC adoption 2019: Adoption of use of Energy Step Code for new residential construction projects 2

11/12/2018 What is the Step Code? Energy-efficiency compliance with the BCBC for Step Code buildings will be based upon targets that are performance based rather than prescriptive based :  Energy Modeling  Envelope Performance  Total Energy Use  Airtightness Testing Patchwork of Local Government requirements have been simplified. Performance-Based Compliance Different building types have different Steps: 3

11/12/2018 Performance-Based Compliance The roadmap for net-zero construction for the next decade Step Code Metrics:  Envelope (TEDI / PTL)  Total Energy (TEUI, MEUI, ERS % Better Than) Per m 2 of floor area  Airtightness (ACH@50Pa) Compliance is based on the conditioned floor area Compliance based on the whole building, not for the individual units:  One energy model per BP application Step Code Targets (Part 9) 4

11/12/2018 What will Change? Projects must demonstrate that performance targets have been met:  All projects will have an energy consultant  Part 9 – Energy Advisors (typically)  Part 3 – Letters of Assurance from Registered Professionals  Energy targets (TEDI / MEUI)  Airtightness test result  Part 9 has pass/fail airtightness targets  Energy model then updated with the test result Prescriptive requirements of 9.36.2 to 9.36.4 no longer apply What will Change? Step 1: Enhanced Compliance  Same performance level as today’s buildings  No prescriptive option – performance path required  No absolute airtightness testing (3.5 ACH assumed)  Energy Advisor provides an energy model & testing Steps 2-3  Specific energy performance targets that must be met  Increased performance beyond reference building  Will require improved energy-efficiency with respect to 9.36 Steps 4-5  Will require more significant changes to how buildings are designed and constructed (e.g. form factor, materials, systems) 5

11/12/2018 What is Building Energy Modeling? Energy modeling:  Is a computer simulation that predicts building performance  Is required for the Step Code (buildings with residential units)  Part 3 & Part 9  Is a path for code compliance for Part 3 buildings  ASHRAE 90.1-2016 & NECB-2015 Whole Building Modeling Approach The Step Code requires a whole building approach for energy code compliance:  One energy model for one building permit application  Energy Advisors are waiting for official energy modeling guidelines for Part 9 multifamily projects – ToL has issued temporary guidelines that must be followed 6

11/12/2018 Who prepares Energy Models? For Part 3 projects, energy models are prepared by Registered Professionals with accompanying Letters of Assurance as part of existing BCBC process using either: • NECB, or • ASHRAE 90.1 For Part 9 projects, three types of energy models and modelers use:  EnerGuide models made with Hot2000 by Energy Advisors  Passive House Planning Package models completed by Certified Passive House Consultants / Designers  Step 5 only  9.36.5. Energy models by qualified persons (with demonstrated credentials) Energy Advisors Who are they?  Use Hot2000 to create EnerGuide ratings for homes  Energy modeling + airtightness testing  Trained by NRCan  Affiliated with a service organization  There are quality control mechanisms in place with the service organization and NRCan  Provide required Step Code forms as part of BP application package to verify modelling targets are met 7

11/12/2018 What is Airtightness Testing? Airtightness Testing:  Pressurization and/or depressurization of a building envelope at an elevated pressure (50 Pa – 75 Pa) to measure the infiltration at operating pressure (~5 Pa)  Performed with a “blower door” fan and door frame assembly  Air volume through the fan = air leakage through the envelope Why do we need airtightness testing? We need airtightness testing because:  The Step Code has made it a requirement  The BCBC is shifting from prescriptive to performance based energy efficiency requirements  It is potentially the lowest-cost way to reduce energy use in buildings  Prescriptive air barrier approach has not always resulted in desired outcomes 8

11/12/2018 What is an “Air Change per Hour”? Several units of measurement are used in the Step Code:  ACH50 - Air changes per hour at 50 Pa (for Part 9 buildings)  The number of times the total volume of air in the building will be replaced with outdoor air (at a specific pressure)  L/(s·m 2 ) of the above-grade envelope (walls + roof, for Part 3 buildings)  Test results report at 75 Pa (for Part 3 buildings) Airtightness Design Assumptions Is the design team assuming:  <2.5 ACH50 (Part 9)? <0.20 L/sm 2 (Part 3)?  Does the design and construction team:  Have demonstrated experience hitting this target?  Have sufficient air barrier details on the drawings?  Propose an air barrier system that is known to consistently achieve this result? 9

11/12/2018 Whole Building Testing Approach The Step Code requires the airtightness of the whole building to be tested  EnerGuide has tested units individually in the past  Testing should address air leakage between the units  Testing individual units would penalize the building  All units may be tested at once  There are other acceptable approaches  Guarded test  Openings between suites  At least the size of a door Energy Model Updated After Testing For all Step Code projects, the energy model must be updated to an “as-built” model based on the measured airtightness of the building achieved in the field with the constructed building. The timing of the airtightness testing and the update of the model shall be coordinated prior to the request for the final inspection. The updated as-built model is required to demonstrate compliance with the applicable level of the Step Code. 10

11/12/2018 TOL Step Code – Adoption Overview The Township of Langley will require all new buildings with residential units to comply with the BC Energy Step Code:  Effective January 1 st , 2019  Step 2 for Development Permit Areas for GHG’s  Latimer, Carvolth, Brookswood / Fernridge, etc  Step 1 for non-Development Permit Areas for GHG’s  Focus on the Lower Steps for now TOL Step Code - Adoption Timeline Inside Development Permit Areas 2019 2020 2021 2022+ Part 9 2 2 3 3 Part 3 2 2 3 3 Outside Development Permit Areas 2019 2020 2021 2022+ Part 9 1 2 2 3 Part 3 1 2 2 3 • 2019 to 2022 adoption model utilizes Lower Steps • 2022+ will consider Higher Steps, dependent upon industry compliance • Consideration for BCBC 9.36 increases in baseline performance 11

11/12/2018 TOL Step Code - Website All required information for Step Code projects can be found on the TOL Step Code website – tol.ca/stepcode :  Step Code BP application documents:  Part 9 Pre-construction / As-built  Part 3 Energy Intensity Report / Design Intent Letter  Available Incentives  Energy Modelling - TBD  Mid-construction blower door testing  Rebate offerings for Part 9 Upper Steps (Steps 4 & 5)  Historic information – Bylaw 5385 and Report to Council 18-71 Township of Langley Step Code Bulletin Step Code bulletin released (& posted to website) to address specific issues:  Township of Langley Step Code forms  Abbotsford weather data  Metric units  Energy modeling guidance for Part 9 multifamily projects  Whole-building energy modeling approach is required  Airtightness assumptions and design detail requirements 12

11/12/2018 TOL Step Code - BP Applications For Part 9 buildings, the following documents must be included at the time of the building permit application:  Pre-construction energy compliance report (ToL version)  Completed by the Energy Advisor  Energy modeling report  EnerGuide report (single family dwellings only) Information in the energy model, Step Code documents and the drawings must be consistent Energy Statements on Drawings Projects complying with the Step Code must indicate on the drawing:  Compliance is being achieved using the BC Energy Step Code  Which Step is being achieved  Compliance targets (TEDI, TEUI/MEUI, % Better than ERS, airtightness)  Actual performance values (TEDI, TEUI/MEUI, % Better than ERS, airtightness) 13