Building Step Codes

The BC Energy and Zero Carbon Step Code are provincial compliance standard designed to promote energy-efficient and reduce carbon emission from buildings beyond the base requirements of the Building Code. It offers a gradual and consistent approach by setting measurable, performance-based energy-efficiency criteria that builders, and homeowners to follow.

Energy Step Code  

The Energy Step Code is a required compliance path in the BC Building Code regarding building energy performance. It is a performance-based standard that establishes measurable requirements for energy efficiency in construction. To demonstrate compliance, a builder must prove that the building meets or exceeds a set of defined metrics for building envelope, equipment and systems, and air tightness testing. Community Energy Association has created an introductory video on energy step code which can be found at What is the BC Energy Step Code?

 

The implementation of the Energy Step Code aims to reduce community-wide energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions while advancing the objectives outlined in the Local Climate Adaptation Strategic Plan, Environmental Sustainability Plan, and the evolving Climate Action Plan. 

According to the Province of British Columbia's CleanBC report, all new construction will need to achieve “net zero ready” status by 2032. 

Zero Carbon Step Code 

The Zero Carbon Step Code is a flexible, predictable plan to improve new buildings over time, with the objective to reach zero emissions from all new buildings by 2030. It complements the BC Energy Step Code by reducing emissions while improving energy efficiency. Together, they make buildings that are cleaner, more energy efficient, and affordable to operate.

Similar to the BC Energy Step Code, the Zero Carbon Step Code is based on different, measurable Steps. In general terms, these Carbon Steps can be referred to as:

  • Moderate Carbon Performance (EL-2) 

  • Strong Carbon Performance (EL-3) 

  • Zero Carbon Performance (EL-4) 

 

Local governments and other Authorities having Jurisdiction may choose to incentivize or require builders to meet any Carbon Step of the Zero Carbon Step Code, including a “measure only” level.  

BC Step Code Requirements 

The BC Energy Step Code outlines energy efficient requirements which start with the 2017 building code and gradually improves energy efficiency from 10% over 2017 to 40% over 2027, ending in 2032 with all new homes Net Zero Ready. A Net Zero Ready home is one where the home is so energy efficient that a renewable energy system, such as solar, could provide 100% of the home’s energy needs. As of May 1, 2023, the BC Building Code (the Code) requires 20%-better energy efficiency for most new buildings in B.C. Local governments in B.C. may incentivize or require builders to achieve the remaining Steps. Builders may also exceed these local requirements if they choose. RDOS follows provincial timeline for both energy and zero carbon step code. For more information on RDOS compliance requirement, please follow What We Do | RDOS. 

While the Energy Step Code focuses on energy efficiency, the Zero Carbon Step Code focuses on reducing greenhouse gases. This encourages builders to decarbonize energy-intensive appliances like space heating, water heating, ovens and stoves, by choosing efficient electrical appliances such as heat pumps. Please visit Energy Step Code for more information about the zero carbon and energy step code. 

 

Please visit Guide To Step Code Compliance - RDOS & Fortis BC  from the RDOS and FortisBC. The video demonstrates specific techniques and strategies on how to build to higher steps of the Step Code, how to run a blower door test, and tips and advice from senior building officials. The video also highlights useful techniques on how to build energy-efficient, beautiful homes in the Okanagan region.  

RDOS Energy Step Code Compliance Process (DRAFT)