
NEW HOMES CASE STUDIES
Energy Save New West is pleased to present the following case studies of high performance new home projects that are designed and built to achieve enhanced occupant comfort and improved energy performance.
1010B Third Avenue

EnerGuide Rating: 61 GJs
Energy Step Code: Level 4
Project Summary
- Single-family detached home constructed under Heritage Revitalization Agreement (HRA) with City of New Westminster
- 37% better energy efficiency performance than code built home
- Builder: Allan Greenwood
Key Project Features
- Pre-fabricated wall assembly (R35+ effective)
- High-performance windows (USI 0.8, triple-glazed windows)
- HRV @ 75% efficiency
- 1.34 ACH @ 50 Pa
EnerGuide Label
502 Richmond Street

EnerGuide Rating: 69 GJs
Energy Step Code: Level 3
Project Summary
- Single-family detached custom home
- 27% better energy efficiency performance than code built home
- Builder: KBC Developments
- Architect/Designer: Randy Bens Architect
Key Project Features
- Exterior wall insulation (R25+ effective)
- ICF foundation
- HRV @ 80% efficiency
- 2.49 ACH @ 50 Pa
EnerGuide Label
302 Eighth Avenue

EnerGuide Rating: 80 GJs
Energy Step Code: Level 3
Project Summary
- Single-family detached custom home
- 15% better energy efficiency performance than code-built home
- Builder: R. Dhaliwal / A. Duhra
Key Project Features
- R22 effective walls
- Condensing gas boiler (95% AFUE)
- U-value 1.4 windows
- 2.5 ACH @ 50 Pa.
EnerGuide Label
430 Alberta Street

EnerGuide Rating: 41 GJs
Energy Step Code: Level 5
Project Summary
- Single-family detached custom home
- Certified Passive House project
- 41% better energy efficiency performance than code built home
- Builder: Lanefab Design/Build
Key Project Features
- 2×8 walls with full depth cellulose + 2×8, 48″OC SIP (structural insulated panel) with full depth rigid (approx. R-55 effective)
- Ductless heat pump with HSPF 12, SEER 27.5
- HRV @ 75% SRE
- 0.49 ACH @ 50 Pa
EnerGuide Label
326 Arbutus Street

EnerGuide Rating: 52 GJs
Energy Step Code: Level 3
Project Summary
- Single-family detached custom home
- 41% better energy efficiency performance than code built home
- Builder: Ruegamer Construction
Key Project Features
- 2 x 6 walls with R24 batt with R6 exterior insulation
- 95% AFUE natural gas combination boiler
- Ductless heat pump (9 HSPF)
- HRV @ 61% SRE
- 0.96 ACH @ 50 Pa
EnerGuide Label
1358/1368 10th Avenue
EnerGuide Rating: 41 GJs & 40 GJs
Energy Step Code: Level 4
Project Summary
- Two (2) small-footprint single-family detached homes
- 28% better energy efficiency performance than code built home
- ENERGY STAR® for New Home and R2000 certification
- Builder: Faserit Construction
Key Project Features
- Improved insulation in wall assemblies (R35+ effective)
- 2 kW solar PV array
- HRV @ 75% efficiency
- 0.90 ACH @ 50 Pa
EnerGuide Label
438 Oak Street

EnerGuide Rating: 59 GJs
Energy Step Code: Level 2
Project Summary
- Single-family detached custom home
- 34% better energy efficiency performance than code built home
- Builder: Versa Developments Ltd.
Key Project Features
- Condensing gas boiler (95% AFUE)
- Air source heat pump (7.13 HSPF)
- Natural gas direct vent storage tank (0.79 EF)
- 2.86 ACH @ 50 Pa
EnerGuide Label
227 Seventh Avenue

EnerGuide Rating: 96 GJs
Energy Step Code: Level 2
Project Summary
- Single-family detached custom home
- 16% better energy efficiency performance than code built home
- Builder: V. Van Dyk
Key Project Features
- Condensing gas boiler (96% AFUE)
- U-value 1.4 windows
- HRV @ 81% SRE
- 1.3 ACH @ 50 Pa.
EnerGuide Label
1512 Edinburgh Street

EnerGuide Rating: 94 GJs
Energy Step Code: Level 2
Project Summary
- Single-family detached custom home
- 13% better energy efficiency performance than code built home
- Builder: B. Lagman
Key Project Features
- 95% AFUE natural gas combination boiler
- HRV @ 69% SRE
- 2.96 ACH @ 50 Pa
EnerGuide Label
121 Carroll Street

EnerGuide Rating: 76 GJs
Energy Step Code: Level 2
Project Summary
- Single-family detached custom home
- 15% better energy efficiency performance than code built home
- Builder: Meridian Pacific Construction
Key Project Features
- TECA Quality First™ installed furnace
- Natural gas tankless condensing domestic hot water (0.97 EF)
- HRV @ 61% efficiency
- 1.84 ACH @ 50 Pa
EnerGuide Label
1222 Edinburgh Street

EnerGuide Rating: 69 GJs
Energy Step Code: Level 3
Project Summary
- Single-family detached custom home
- 28% better energy efficiency performance than code built home
- ENERGY STAR® New Home certification
- Participant in FortisBC’s New Home program
- Builder: Urban Flare Developments
Key Project Features
- Improved insulation in wall assemblies (R22+ effective)
- Condensing gas boiler (95% AFUE)
- HRV @ 72% efficiency
- 1.24 ACH @ 50 Pa
EnerGuide Label
424 Fourth Street

EnerGuide Rating: 79 GJs
Energy Step Code: Level 4
Project Summary
- Single-family detached custom home
- 28% better energy efficiency performance than code built home
- Builder: Versa Developments
Key Project Features
- 2 x 6 walls with R24 batt and 1.5” exterior insulation
- 95% AFUE natural gas combination boiler
- HRV @ 65% SRE
- 1.3 ACH @ 50 Pa
EnerGuide Label
1106 Edinburgh Street

EnerGuide Rating: 72 GJs
Energy Step Code: Level 2
Project Summary
- Single-family detached custom home
- 18% better energy efficiency performance than code built home
- Builder: Merit Homes
Key Project Features
- 2 x 6 walls with R24 batt and 1.5” exterior insulation
- 95% AFUE natural gas combination boiler
- HRV @ 62% SRE
- 2.9 ACH @ 50 Pa
EnerGuide Label

In April 2017, the Province of British Columbia adopted the BC Energy Step Code as regulation. The new standard is a tool designed to help both government and industry chart a course to a future in which all new construction across the province is “net-zero energy ready” by 2032. For Part 9 homes, there a series of five (5) steps that incrementally increase the performance-based energy-efficiency requirements for new construction projects.

Step 1 entails modelling energy performance and measuring airtightness to ensure that a building will meet or exceed the minimum energy-efficiency requirements in the base BC Building Code. Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the scale, the highest step represents a “net-zero energy ready” standard – a standard that is being met by the most energy-efficient projects being developed today.
In short, the BC Energy Step Code provides more consistency to industry, establishing a standard set of performance requirements, while offering local governments a simple and effective set of standards to support their energy conservation and greenhouse gas reduction goals. For more information on the Energy Step Code, visit energystepcode.ca