Power Minute:

BC Step Code

Power Minutes explain an energy concept in less than one minute (300 words). Note: This is a living document, check back for updates.

The BC Step Code is a program to achieve energy efficient building all across British Columbia. In Part 9 construction, the Step Code aims for "Net-Zero Ready homes" by 2032 in 5 steps. Each step leading to the Step 5, or the Net-Zero Ready Step, increases the energy efficiency requirement of the buildings compared to the previous step. A Net-Zero Ready home should be able to compensate for its annual energy demand via the energy generation on-site (solar panels).

The British Columbia Provincial Government has created the program but the implementation relies on the local governments (e.g. municipalities). Each local government chooses a timeline to increase the minimum energy efficiency requirements (Step) for new construction until the Net-Zero Ready is achieved.

Below are an overview of the said metrics:

Airtightness: Uncontrolled air that can escape/enter the home when all doors and windows are closed. Highlighting Uncontrolled is important because ventilation done by mechanical system is not a part of this metric. This is the only Step Code metric that gets tested on site.
Thermal Energy Demand: The first step to have an energy efficient home is minimizing the heat loss. The "Energy Demand" is all the energy that should be mechanically given to a home to keep it at comfortable temperatures throughout the year. Ideally, this demand is very small with good insulation, using the sun's heat to warm up the spaces (windows), and occupant activity.
Mechanical Energy Use: Even if a home has very little energy demand, inefficient mechanical systems nullify the positive impact. That is the reason the mechanical systems are separately evaluated as well for efficiency.

Step Code does NOT directly control for these metrics: Operational Emissions, Embodied Carbon, and Cooling Load.