Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources

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Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
Sustainable Solutions Green Building Code Erik
Kaye, Senior Policy Advisor March 6,
2008 Sustainable Communities Forum, Sooke, BC
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Overview

• Policy Context
• BC Green Building Code highlights
• Next Steps
• Related Initiatives
• Questions and Answers

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Policy Context

• 2007 Throne Speech and UBCM Speech
• Green Building Code implemented in 2008 with
  highest energy efficiency standards in Canada
• GHG reduction of 33 below 2007 levels by 2020
• Energy Plan BC Hydro energy savings goal 50
  conservation target by 2020

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BC Green Building Code

• Two energy proposals for 2008 amendment to BC
  Building Code
• Performance standard for Part 9 buildings
  minimum EnerGuide for New Houses (EGNH) 77 rating
• Prescriptive standards for Part 9 buildings that
  are approximately equivalent to EGNH 77 level
• Comprehensive code for other buildings (ASHRAE
  90.1-2004) with performance, simplified
  performance and prescriptive paths

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BC Green Building Code Part 9

• Performance Path
• EnerGuide for New Houses
• Plan evaluation done by builder or consultant
• EnerGuide advisor verifies energy performance
  with blower-door test (300)
• Advisors serving all BC communities

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BC Green Building Code Part 9

• Prescriptive path equivalent to EGH 77
• Increased cost-effective insulation in walls
• More stringent standards in regions with more
  than 4500 degree-days of heating
• Linkage to Energy Efficiency Act standards
• High-efficiency furnaces
• Upgraded window standards

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BC Green Building Code other buildings

• ASHRAE 90.1 (2004) Energy Standard for Buildings
  Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings
• Similar to standard under the Vancouver Building
  Bylaw (ASHRAE 90.1 2001 with Addendum G)
• Three paths for compliance modeling,
  prescriptive and simplified performance

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Green Building Code - Implementation

• Timeline
• Target is to adopt Code standards in March/April,
  to take effect in fall 2008
• Compliance Options
• Letter of Assurance from a professional engineer
• Compliance Enforcement Education Training
  beginning in summer 2008

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Related Initiatives

• LiveSmart BC Efficiency Incentive Program
  incentives for home energy audits and retrofits
• New Energy Efficiency Act standards for products
  furnaces, lighting, standby power
• PST Exemptions for energy saving equipment
• New Energy Efficient Buildings Strategy

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Questions and Answers
http//www.housing.gov.bc.ca/building/green/