Building new? Plans in early stage design?

Establishing your Step Code target?

Using whole-building performance simulation, energy modelling determines how the home as a system gains and loses energy

January 1, 2027:

Mandatory Step 4 for most, and highest Step 5 for some. (NEW HURDLE message to builders – det ready to be compliant to Step 4 in 2027 –

2030:

Target for all new buildings to be zero-carbon.

2032:

All new buildings must be net-zero energy ready.

A Blower Door Test is used to measure a home’s air tightness and will indicate the amount of air leaking through a building’s total enclosure or “skin”. 

The CSA F280-12 standard (“Determining the required capacity of residential space heating and cooling appliances”) is the Canadian industry standard for calculating heat loss and heat gain to properly size HVAC equipment for homes and small buildings.

It is required by building codes in many provinces (e.g., BC and Alberta) to ensure equipment meets the specific heating/cooling needs of a building.

Core Principles of CSA F280

Purpose: Determines the right size of HVAC systems to maintain comfort.
Requirements: A room-by-room calculation is necessary for new construction, while a block load can be used for retrofits.
Key Inputs: Building dimensions, insulation quality (-values), window type/placement, airtightness, and orientation (for solar heat gain).
Indoor Design Temperatures: Typically 22°C for heating and 24°C-26°C for cooling.

Dan Tatham, an Energy Designer, works with builders/homeowners to achieve an integrated design process which will optimize energy performance and lowest cost build by addressing:

• Envelope plans/assembly details 
• Effective insulation (RSI) calculations for each assembly used in the home 
• Details for areas with significant thermal bridges
• Airtightness details demonstrating a continuous air barrier