Building new homes to higher steps of the BC Energy Step Code 


Photo credits: LSP Media

We’re helping residential builders and developers achieve Step 5 with our new home construction rebates. Learn more about how the New Home Program has evolved over the years and read our case studies to see how builders are constructing high-performance homes with advanced building envelopes and energy-efficient space and water heating.

New Home Program: 10 plus years and going strong

Since 2011, the New Home Program has been offering rebates to builders to encourage them to build energy-efficient homes. The program has evolved over the years—as have energy-efficiency requirements—and in 2018, we aligned it with the BC Energy Step Code. In 2020, we added the Design Offer to encourage collaboration through an integrated design process and uptake of building envelope and mechanical design. These activities all help contribute to a project’s successful achievement of Step 3, 4 or 5.

We’ve got rebates

Get details on all the rebates and options available through the New Home Program.

Note: final installation and application deadlines for some of our rebates.

Case studies: how builders are reaching higher steps

Regardless of the energy source used for heating and cooling, constructing a high-performance home starts with a building envelope that uses advanced airtightness layers and innovative insulation options.

These case studies demonstrate how home builders across B.C. are achieving higher steps of the BC Energy Step Code, with help from energy advisors and our New Home Program.

 

Building new homes

Step 5, net-zero home, Kelowna

An Integrated Design Process (IDP) was embraced to build this home, with stakeholders collaborating to streamline the design process, develop innovative approaches and reduce costs. The home integrates a dual-fuel HVAC system and uses Renewable Natural Gas1 (RNG) and solar PV generation to decarbonize the operation of the home and reduce the impact of electricity peak demand.

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Step 4, detached home, Vancouver

Building science and meticulous pre-construction planning were applied to build this home. Early collaboration between the builder and the home’s architect helped incorporate design changes that facilitated comfort and energy efficiency without compromising aesthetics or floor space. This home was designated as an “Air Barrier Champion" which required maintaining the integrity of the thermal envelope throughout the construction process, while applying other innovative techniques.

Photo credits: LSP Media

Step 5, detached home, Campbell River

The builder incorporated passive solar design, strategically placed windows and overhangs and made careful material selections.

Step 5, detached home, Quesnel

Located in one of B.C.’s colder regions, this home achieved Step 5 by investing in the building envelope using insulated concrete foundation forms, double-framed 2x4 walls and additional rigid insulation. 

Step 5, detached home, Kimberley

The builder/owner incorporated passive solar design, Scandinavian architecture that minimizes the surface area of exterior walls and double-framed 2x4 exterior walls with three layers of R14 insulation.

Steps 4 and 5, duplex, Kimberley

The homes in this seven-unit duplex project achieved Steps 4 and 5. The builder worked closely with an energy advisor throughout the project to incorporate passive solar and a high level of airtightness, building a Step 5 home for an additional $15,000.

Step 4, detached home, Campbell River

By working with an energy advisor, the builder achieved Step 4 with improved airtightness, insulated concrete forms, R22 batt insulation and a high-quality commercial-grade air barrier.

Photo credits: Janis Nicolay, Pinecone Camp

Step 3, laneway home, North Vancouver

This laneway home achieved Step 3 despite the limitations of municipal bylaws and a smaller plot. The home incorporated strategic window placements and meticulously installed air barrier and spray foam insulation. A compact mechanical system was needed to maximize living space in this home.

Step 3, detached home, Maple Ridge

Having limited experience with the BC Energy Step Code, this builder was motivated by a desire to build a more energy-efficient home. They built two similar homes in the same subdivision, one to BC Building Code and the other to Step 3, which was achieved by focusing on the building envelope and airtightness.

RNG for new homes

Building a new home with gas provides your homebuyers with low-carbon options for their home’s energy needs, now and into the future. We’re increasing our supply of low-carbon2 RNG and are working toward our goal of having 75 per cent of the gas in our system be renewable and low-carbon3 by 2050.

Energy solutions managers are here to help

Not sure what rebate path is right for you or want to learn how an energy advisor can help you achieve a higher level of energy efficiency? Before breaking ground, contact a FortisBC energy solutions manager in your region.

Cities Contact
Vancouver to Whistler; plus Richmond, Burnaby and New Westminster

Wayne Cankovic
Tel: 604-932-8941
Toll free: 1-888-717-7888
[email protected]

Delta, Langley, White Rock, Surrey

Christopher Hsiang
Tel: 604-592-7839
Cell: 604-290-5198
[email protected]

Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Hope, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody

Rob Zelisko
Tel: 778-547-0166
Cell: 604-209-7494
[email protected]

CitiesContact
Capital Regional District

Spencer Evans
Tel: 250-380-5780
Cell: 250-812-5890
[email protected]

Mid-Island (Malahat to Lantzville and Port Alberni)

Jeff Coulombe
Tel: 250-751-8367
Cell: 778-879-6446
[email protected]

North Island and Sunshine Coast (Nanoose Bay to Campbell River, Powell River and Sechelt-Gibsons)

Greg Enns
Tel: 250-703-6814
Cell: 250-201-0052
Toll free: 1-866-225-1188
[email protected]

CitiesContact
East Kootenays, Central Okanagan, South Okanagan and SimilkameenWade Benner
Tel: 250-868-4554
Cell: 250-215-4564
Toll free: 1-855-868-4554
[email protected]
North Okanagan, Cariboo, Peace, Thompson-Nicola (including Revelstoke) and West Kootenays

Peter Hill
Tel: 250-868-4583
Cell: 250-215-9514
Toll free: 1-855-868-4583
[email protected]

1Renewable Natural Gas (also called RNG or biomethane) is produced in a different manner than conventional natural gas. It is derived from biogas, which is produced from decomposing organic waste from landfills, agricultural waste and wastewater from treatment facilities. The biogas is captured and cleaned to create Renewable Natural Gas.

2When compared to the lifecycle carbon intensity of conventional natural gas. The burner tip emission factor of FortisBC’s current Renewable Natural Gas (also called RNG or biomethane) portfolio is 0.29 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule of energy (gCO2e/MJ). FortisBC’s current RNG portfolio lifecycle emissions are -22 gCO2e/MJ. This is below B.C.’s low carbon threshold for lifecycle carbon intensity of 36.4 gCO2e/MJ as set out in the 2021 B.C. Hydrogen Strategy.

3FortisBC uses the term renewable and low-carbon gas to refer collectively to the low-carbon gases or fuels that the utility can acquire under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Clean Energy) Regulation, which are: Renewable Natural Gas (also called RNG or biomethane), hydrogen, synthesis gas (from wood waste) and lignin. FortisBC’s renewable and low-carbon gas portfolio currently includes only Renewable Natural Gas. Other gases and fuels may be added to the program over time. Depending on their source, all of these gases have differing levels of lifecycle carbon intensity. However, all of these gases are low carbon when compared to the lifecycle carbon intensity of conventional natural gas. The current burner tip emission factor of RNG is 0.29 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule of energy (gCO2e/MJ) and the current renewable and low-carbon gas portfolio lifecycle emissions are -22 gCO2e/MJ. This is below B.C.’s carbon intensity threshold for low-carbon gases of 36.4 gCO2e/MJ set out in the 2021 B.C. Hydrogen Strategy.