Better Buildings - Resources for Designers, Builders & Residents


Energy Step Code in Richmond

Effective Date Jul 1, 2022 to Sep 30, 2023 After Oct 1, 2023
Part 9 Residential
Townhomes & Apartments Step 5 (a) OR
Step 4 (b)
OR
Step 3 (b) + LCES
Step 5 (a) + EL-2 OR
Step 4 (b) + EL-3
OR
Step 3 (b) + EL-4
Single Family and Duplexes

Step 5 (a) OR
Step 4 (b)
OR
Step 3 (b) + LCES

Step 5 (a) + EL-2 OR
Step 4 (b) + EL-3
OR
Step 3 (b) + EL-4

Part 3 Development
Office & Retail Buildings Step 2 Step 3
Residential Wood-frame Low/Mid-Rise Step 3 Step 4
Residential Concrete Towers Step 3 OR
Step 2 + LCES
Step 3 OR
Step 2 + LCES (c)
Hotels & Motels Step 3 OR
Step 2 + LCES
Step 3 OR
Step 2 + LCES (c)

LCES: Low-Carbon Energy System
(a) Building envelope performance requirements can be achieved using all compliance pathways defined in BCBC.
(b) Building performance requirements must be achieved using adjusted TEDI compliance pathways.
(c) LCES targets for 2022-2025 Part 3 residential and commercial will be developed in 2021.
EL-2: Annual limit of ≤ 1050 kg CO2e per housing unit, or ≤ 6 kg CO2e/m2 of conditioned floor area and ≤ 2400 kg CO2e per housing unit.
EL-3: Annual limit of ≤ 440 kg CO2e per housing unit, or ≤ 2.5 kg CO2e/m2 of conditioned floor area and ≤ 800 kg CO2e per housing unit.
EL-4: Annual limit of ≤ 265 kg CO2e per housing unit, or ≤ 1.5 kg CO2e/m2 of conditioned floor area and ≤ 500 kg CO2e per housing unit.
NOTE: Natural gas fueled systems are not allowed to be backup heating system after Oct 1, 2023.

See the full timeline for Energy Code Step in Richmond.


Bulletins

Regulation Reference Bulletins (Provided in PDF format)
Energy Step Code Requirements at Rezoning and Development Permit Stages (DevApps-13)

Part 9 Buildings Overview (Building-37)
Part 9 Single Family Dwellings and Duplexes (Building-38)
Part 9 Townhouses and Apartments (Building-39)
Part 9 Residential Drawings (Air-barrier Details) (Building-43)

Part 3 Buildings (Building-40)
Energy Step Code, NECB
ASHRAE 90.1
Energy Efficiency Requirements for Part 3 Buildings (Building-48)
High-Performance Incentives Incentives for New High-Performance Single-Family and Duplex Dwellings (Building-46)

Webinars

Virtual Builders' Breakfasts

Builders' Breakfasts are the City's main venue for connecting with designers, builders, and energy advisors in Richmond.

Upcoming Sessions

We will have our next Builder Breakfast soon. Please contact energysave@richmond.ca for more details.

Previous Sessions


City of Richmond Builders' Breakfast Summer 2023 – Recommended Requirements on Energy Step Code


2022 Step Code Requirements and Incentives


Update on Richmond's Energy Step Code Requirements July 2022 Building Bylaw


2022–2025 Energy Step Code Requirements for Part 9 Buildings | Workshop #2


Introduction to the Passive House Standard


City of Richmond's High-Performance Incentives


Building to the Passive House Standard


Performance Testing and Labeling of Windows, Doors and Skylights in Canada


Best Practices in Air Barrier Design, Installation and Testing


Exterior Air Barrier and Insulation Strategies


High-Performance, Low-Carbon Mechanical Systems


Integrated Design Process: An Introduction


What Does It Take to Build a High-Performance House?

Building Matters

Building Matters brings you the latest in research on the environmental footprint of buildings, with a focus on implications for policy development and implementation.

Upcoming Sessions

Coming soon.

Previous Sessions


Are Cities Underestimating Their GHG Emissions?


Efficiency First: Europe's Approach to Decarbonizing the Built Environment


Net-Zero Energy Buildings: Will Canada's New Codes Give Us What We Need?


Embodied Emissions of Building to the BC Energy Step Code

If you have any questions about or suggested topics/speakers for either series, please send us an email.


External Resources

BC Housing

BC Energy Step Code Design Guide

Best Practice Guide: Air Sealing & Insulation Retrofits for Single Family Homes

Building Enclosure Design Guide: Wood-Frame Multi-Unit Residential Buildings

Full list of BC Housing design and Construction Guidelines

EGBC & AIBC

Professional Practice Guideline: Whole Building Energy Modelling Services

BC Hydro

New Construction Program's Energy Modelling Guideline