BC Energy Step Code requirements
This page summarizes the BC Energy Step Code requirements in force since April 2017 and briefly explains the building types and occupancies the requirements apply to. Full details can be found in the BC Building Code.
You’ll find information about the City of Vancouver’s Energy Modelling Guidelines here, too.
Learn about
- The BC Energy Step Code Requirements in the BC Building Code
- City of Vancouver Energy Modelling Guidelines
BC Energy Step Code requirements
For building permits dated on or after Dec. 12, 2019, the TEDI and TEUI requirements for Part 3 buildings are found in Subsection 10.2.3.3. in Tables 10.2.3.3.-A to 10.2.3.3.-J. The requirements for Part 9 buildings are in Subsection 9.36.6 in Tables 9.36.6.3.-A to 9.36.6.3.-F (Page 35 of the PDF).
As the targets have evolved since 2017, follow the requirements based on the building permit date of your project.
- BCBC 2012 Revision 11 – April 7, 2017 to January 30, 2018 – BC Energy Step Code introduced
- BCBC 2012 Revision 12 – January 31, 2018 to December 9, 2018
- BCBC 2018 Revision 1 – December 10, 2018 to December 11, 2019
- BCBC 2018 Revision 2 – Effective December 12, 2019
The Code requirements
BCBC 2012 Revision 11: April 7, 2017 to January 30, 2018
Application
Applies to building permits applied for on or after April 7, 2017 until January 30, 2018.
Code requirements
- Ministerial Order M158/2017 (PDF) amended the British Columbia Building Code Regulation to introduce BC Energy Step Code requirements into the BC Building Code effective April 7, 2017
- Building Act General Regulation (PDF) amended at the same time to add two “unrestricted matters” that support local governments to adopt the BC Energy Step Code in their communities
- BCBC 2012 Revision 11 BC Energy Step Code convenience copy (PDF) provides the Code language in force
Summary Part 3 buildings
- Climate zone 4 only (Degree Days below 18°C less than 3000)
- Occupancies
- C (Residential) – 4 Steps
- D (Business and Personal Services) – 3 Steps
- E (Mercantile) – 3 Steps
- Requirements established for Total Energy Use Intensity (TEUI) and Thermal Energy Demand Intensity (TEDI) as determined through energy modelling and air-leakage testing
Summary Part 9 buildings
- All climate zones
- Residential occupancies only – 5 Steps
- Requirements established for building envelope performance (Total Energy Use Intensity or TEDI) and building equipment and systems (Mechanical Energy Use Intensity or MEUI) as determined through energy modelling and air-leakage testing
- Unique requirements for different climate zones
City of Vancouver Energy Modelling Guidelines Version 1
- Introduced into the BC Building Code to support the BC Energy Step Code
- Guidelines intended for Part 3 buildings and available for Part 9 buildings not following the EnerGuide Rating System (ERS)
- Access Guidelines Version 1
BCBC 2012 Revision 12: January 31, 2018 to December 9, 2018
Application
Applies to building permits applied for on or after January 31, 2018 until December 9, 2018.
Code requirements
- Ministerial Order M013/2018 (PDF) amended the British Columbia Building Code Regulation to revise the requirements of the BC Energy Step Code effective January 31, 2018
- BCBC 2012 Revision 12 BC Energy Step Code convenience copy (PDF) provides the Code language in force
- This revision provides primarily editorial clarifications with no changes to the TEDI, TEUI, or MEUI requirements established in BCBC 2012 Revision 11
Summary Part 3 buildings: no change from BCBC 2012 Revision 11
- Climate zone 4 only (Degree Days below 18°C less than 3000)
- Occupancies
- C (Residential) – 4 Steps
- D (Business and Personal Services) – 3 Steps
- E (Mercantile) – 3 Steps
Summary Part 9 buildings: no change from BCBC 2012 Revision 11
- All climate zones
- Residential occupancies only – 5 Steps
BCBC 2018 Revision 1: December 10, 2018 to December 11, 2019
Application
Applies to building permits applied for on or after December 10, 2018 until December 11, 2019.
Code requirements
- Ministerial Order BA 2018 1 (PDF) amended the British Columbia Building Code to revise the requirements of the BC Energy Step Code effective December 10, 2018
- Technical Bulletin B18-08 explains the Revision 1 changes (PDF)
- Code requirements can be found in the free online BC Building Code 2018
Summary Part 3 buildings
- Expanded to all climate zones (the same TEDI and TEUI requirements apply across all zones)
- Occupancies
- C (Residential) with the creation of unique metrics for hotels/motels that reflect the heavier energy loads of these Group C occupancies
- D (Business and Personal Services) with the creation of unique metrics for offices that reflect the lighter energy loads of these Group D occupancies
- E (Mercantile)
Summary Part 9 buildings
- All climate zones
- Residential occupancies only, with amendments to support compliance and improved building performance, including revised requirements for Mechanical Energy Use Intensity (MEUI) and Thermal Energy Use Intensity (TEDI), and elimination of the Peak Thermal Load (PTL) requirements
City of Vancouver Energy Modelling Guidelines Version 2
- Effective December 10, 2018, the BC Energy Step Code references Version 2 of the Guidelines
- Access Guidelines Version 2
- You can also review a track changes copy of Version 2
BCBC 2018 Revision 2: Effective December 12, 2019
Application
Applies to building permits applied for on or after December 12, 2019.
Code requirements
- Ministerial Order BA 2019 6 (PDF), amending the British Columbia Building Code, amended the requirements of the BC Energy Step Code effective December 12, 2019
- You can also find the requirements in the free online BC Building Code 2018
Summary Part 3 buildings
- Climate zone 4 (Degree Days below 18°C less than 3000)
- No change to the TEDI and TEUI requirements for Group C, D and E occupancies established in BCBC 2018 Revision 1
- Climate zones outside of climate zone 4 (Degree Days below 18°C is greater than or equal to 3000)
- New distinct TEDI and TEUI requirements based on climate zone for Group C, D and E occupancies across the province
- All climate zones
- The introduction of Step 1 for some Group A (Assembly) and Group B, Divisions 2 and 3 (Treatment and Care) occupancies but no intensity requirements yet
- Requirements available for these occupancies only:
- Group A (Assembly) – Step 1 only for schools (other than universities or colleges), libraries, colleges (other than schools or universities), recreation centres
- Group B, Divisions 2 and 3 (Treatment and Care) – Step 1 only for hospitals and care centres
- Group C (Residential) – with unique metrics for hotels/motels that reflect the heavier energy loads of these Group C occupancies
- Group D (Business and Personal Services) – with unique metrics for offices that reflect the lighter energy loads of these Group D occupancies
- Group E (Mercantile)
- Learn more by reading Technical Bulletin 19-08 (PDF).
Summary Part 9 buildings
- All climate zones
- Residential occupancies only
- No change to the TEDI requirements introduced in BCBC 2018 Revision 1, but two additional compliance options now available:
- Using an adjusted TEDI based on Degree Days below 18°C or
- Using a percent better (than the EnerGuide Reference House) approach for annual heating demand for the performance requirement of the building envelope
City of Vancouver Energy Modelling Guidelines
- For use with the BC Building Code as noted on this page and in the BC Building Code
- Version 1 – for use until December 9, 2018 with BC Building Code 2012
- Version 2 – for use effective December 10, 2018 with BC Building Code 2018
Page Last Updated: January 6, 2022.