WHEREAS home ownership represents the most significant investment many British Columbians will make in their lifetime; AND WHEREAS the Province of British Columbia has introduced new energy performance requirements into the B.C. Building Code for Part 9 buildings e.g. residential up to three-storeys and under 600 square metres effective December 2014 but measurement and verification of energy performance will not be required for Part 9 residential building permitting to provide consumer information and ensure quality construction; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province of British Columbia consider adding an energy assessment and EnerGuide label to the requirements for new Part 9 residential buildings.
Ministry of Natural Gas Development Minister Responsible for Housing The changes to the BC Building Code related to Part 9 buildings do not include specific energy performance targets. Compliance with the BC Building Code ensures that all buildings in British Columbia achieve a minimum level of energy efficiency performance. Required labelling may provide an additional level of information, but consumers can expect all buildings constructed under the new requirements to meet a minimum level of energy efficiency. Labelling houses and other buildings is an administrative requirement that does not fall within the current scope of the BC Building Code, however may be voluntarily provided by builders or building owners. The Province is focused on supporting compliance with the new energy efficiency requirements in the BC Building Code. The EnerGuide rating system for homes is currently being updated, which will require further analysis and consultation before considering the relationship between the EnerGuide program and the BC Building Code.