The CRD, Saanich, Central Saanich, and Victoria have launched a biased, ill-advised initiative to fast-track the BC Step Code into the highest energy efficiency levels according to a recent presentation and survey to the builder community. We wrote a letter to all CRD municipalities opposing fast-tracking the Step Code, which undermines health and safety and affordability.
VRBA opposes fast-tracking energy efficiency without due diligence and oversight by the National Building Code. This includes cost-benefit analysis in the real world of construction and a review of potential unintended consequences such as radon, etc. The BC government’s Step Code circumvented this diligence, and is actually a leap code allowing the highest levels. For example, the National Code is doing a review of potential unintended consequences such as higher toxic radon levels in more energy efficient construction. Also, there is no mandatory builder education for these very high levels of building envelope construction undermining consumer protection.
The CRD initiative is badly flawed. It has been established at the National Code that Net Zero ready homes are achievable at Step Code 4, yet the CRD, Saanich, Central Saanich, and Victoria will add much higher costs by including Step 5. Added costs range from $60,000 to $100,000+ in a region with some of the highest home prices in Canada. These municipal councils are undermining both housing affordability and consumer protection.
In addition, the CRD’s initiative reflects a bias against alternate forms of energy other than electric. For example FortisBC’s Renewable Natural Gas from decomposing materials in landfills should be mentioned as a low carbon option. Without the benefit of redirecting landfill gases as an energy source, they are still released into the atmosphere. Also, the past couple of weeks in Europe, and the impact on global energy, should demonstrate the importance of establishing various forms of energy security.
BC’s history of very high costs and unintended consequences associated with fast-tracking energy efficiency include leaky condo, asbestos and urea formaldehyde insulation. For more on the BC Step Code read https://www.vrba.ca/blog/bc-step-code-misstep/
VRBA’s advice to municipalities is work with the more affordable Built Green program also requiring builder education and certification, otherwise require only the mandatory energy efficiency levels in the BC Building Code. Await the National Building Code’s diligence on high levels of energy efficiency and mandatory education.
Our latest column in the TC on the BC Step Code is here.