Case studies
Sharing stories of how and why builders and communities are using British Columbia’s new energy-performance building standard.
Case studies are produced by Energy Step Code Council member organizations and partners:
- Community Energy Association
- Community Energy Managers Network
- FortisBC
- Township of Langley
- Zero Emissions Building Exchange
Community Energy Association
- Four East Kootenay Part 9 homes (PDF) that cost-effectively meet Steps 3, 4 or 5, featuring:
- Hideaways Development and Fort Point Residence, Invermere
- Residential Fourplex and Forest Crowne Residence, Kimberley
- Westside Park Residence, Invermere: Part 9, Step 3 (PDF)
Visit the Community Energy Association’s Building a Legacy website for more case studies and videos.
Community Energy Managers Network
The Network produced this original five-part series to provide “real-world” examples of Part 9 homes that deliver Step 3 or 4 with a construction cost premium of between zero and 4 percent. Remember six strategies:
- Boost insulation: Increase insulation in walls, floors, roof, and foundation
- Ventilate smartly: Bring fresh air into the home and recover heat from the exhaust air
- Mind your machines: Choose efficient appliances, and ensure your heating system will meet — but not exceed — the home’s needs
- Minimize thermal bridges: Take care with corners, junctions, gaps and studs to keep heat in
- Seal it up: Air leaks are heat leaks. Wrap the home tightly, taking care to seal around ducts, pipes, fixtures, and wires that pass through walls, ceilings, and roof
- Think about doors and windows: Carefully consider their energy performance, size, and location
Series overview: Part 9 buildings
Campbell River
Invermere
Kamloops
Victoria
Whistler
FortisBC
FortisBC, in partnership with ICF, has developed a new series of case studies featuring a common thread: Dial in your building envelope and engage the project team early, including your energy advisor.
- Campbell River: Part 9, Step 4 (PDF, 4.5MB)
- Kimberley: Part 9, Step 5 (PDF, 5MB)
- Maple Ridge: Part 9, Step 3 (PDF, 5.5MB)
- Quesnel: Part 9, Step 5 (PDF, 1MB)
- Campbell River: Part 9, Step 5 (PDF, 5.3 MB)
- North Vancouver: Part 9, Step 3 (PDF, 5.2 MB)
- Kimberley: Part 9, Step 5 (PDF, 4.2MB)
Township of Langley
- Ewert Residence, Township of Langley poster (PDF)
- Ewert Residence, Township of Langley presentation (PDF, 3 MB)
- Link to a video of the Ewert Residence
Zero Emissions Building Exchange
- 825 Pacific Street
- This seven-storey, all-electric art-studio building meets the stringent Passive House standard and is currently the tallest Passive House building in Vancouver
- Carrington View
- Carrington View is a three-building, 186-unit rental apartment complex
located in West Kelowna built to Step 4 of the Step Code
- Carrington View is a three-building, 186-unit rental apartment complex
- Peatt Commons West
- A Step 4, Part 3 purpose-built rental building in Langford, B.C.
- Provides the local community with affordable, condo-quality, energy-efficient rental housing while minimizing the overall carbon footprint of the development
- Skeena Residence
- A six-storey, Part 3 Passive House student residence
- Built on the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus
- The development, design and construction team united early in the design stage to meet the project’s sustainability and Passive House goals
Last Updated: September 7, 2021.