Energy Performance Tier 5 of the Prescriptive Path
Description:
This proposed change provides energy-efficiency requirements for compliance with Tier 5 of the energy performance compliance prescriptive path.
Related Proposed Change(s):
PCF 1823, PCF 2042
Problem
The 2020 edition of the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) introduced energy-efficiency performance tiers in Section9.36. of DivisionB, with increasing levels of improvement for buildings and houses, to provide authorities having jurisdiction with the option to adopt the energy performance level most suitable to their needs.
Although performance modeling is common in the industry, many participants have requested that prescriptive compliance paths remain in the Code to provide simplicity in achieving energy compliance. However, there are no prescriptive paths provided beyond Energy Performance Tier2 in Section9.36.
Failure to develop a prescriptive compliance path for Energy Performance Tier5 would force Code users to rely on the performance-based requirements that use energy modeling to achieve the energy-efficiency targets for Tier5 performance. This would prevent compliance with Tier5 for Code users who do not have access to performance modeling.
Justification
For the 2025Code cycle, the Provinces and Territories identified “improved energy provisions leading to the adoption of 2030net-zero energy ready model codes” as a priority. To provide a net-zero energy level of performance by 2030, authorities having jurisdiction could choose to adopt the highest tier of energy efficiency, which is Tier5.
Prescriptive Tier5 requirements would provide acceptable solutions for different components of the building to improve the total energy performance. Together with the tiered energy performance path in Subsection9.36.7. and the tiered energy points-based prescriptive trade-off path in Subsection9.36.8., the prescriptive path is one of three compliance options that provide an acceptable means of achieving the performance goal of reducing energy consumption by at least 70% for buildings over 300m3 and by at least 60% for buildings under 300m3.
In developing the Tier5 prescriptive solutions, many different possible solutions were considered.
Building Envelope
Two Tier5 building envelope packages were developed for each climate zone: one for buildings with conditioned internal volumes greater than 300m3 and one for buildings with conditioned volumes less than or equal to 300m3. This distinction was made to acknowledge the different requirements for tiered performance compliance based on conditioned volume, as described in Table9.36.7.2. The 240building archetypes were separated by volume, with 219building archetypes having a conditioned volume greater than 300m3 and 21 having a volume of less than or equal to 300m3.
For each building volume group and climate zone, two criteria were used to define acceptable Tier5 building envelope package solutions:
1. At least 80% of the building archetypes had to comply with the Tier5 requirement for percentage heat loss reduction, as follows:
40% for volumes greater than 300 m3, and
25% for volumes less than and equal to 300 m3.
2. On average the building archetypes had to have a peak heating load less than their reference building.
There are numerous combinations of envelope measures that meet the criteria above. Therefore, additional selection criteria needed to be defined to reduce the number of prescriptive building envelope package solutions to one for each climate zone and building volume.
The two additional criteria were:
1. minimal incremental costs make a solution desirable, and
2. component performance of the building envelope must consistently increase across climate zones.
A fourth criterion was defined to ensure that, when going from a warmer to colder climate zone, the thermal performance of a building envelope component was not reduced. For example, a solution that uses 4.88RSI for the effective thermal resistance of above-grade walls in climate zone 6 would not be used if the solution for climate zone 5 used 5.69 RSI for above-grade walls.
Airtightness
Mandatory airtightness testing is required in the Tier5 prescriptive path, which follows the direction provided by the Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes (CBHCC) to validate the compliance with airtightness level (AL)4, considering that:
Increasing the AL of the house is essential for achieving Tier5 energy performance, as the energy loss due to air leakage/infiltration accounts for a significant portion of the overall building energy loss.
It is difficult to verify whether the current prescriptive measures to minimize the air leakage of building components and assemblies were properly constructed based on a visual inspection alone without conducting a whole building airtightness test, especially for houses built to meet high energy performance tiers.
Conducting an airtightness test would be the most economical way to achieve the energy-saving goal for Tier5, as the cost of an airtightness test would be offset by decreasing construction costs for a Tier5 design at increasing levels of airtightness.
In spring 2023, Codes Canada conducted a survey on the availability and cost of airtightness testing in Canada, which supports the rationale that airtightness testing is available at fairly low prices and the price increase due to long-distance travel costs associated with this testing is reasonable.
HVAC and Service Water Heating System
Three fuel-sources (i.e., electric, natural gas and oil) were considered. Additionally, electric-only and dual-energy packages were proposed. A fossil-fuel-only package was not developed for mechanical equipment, as modeling results indicated that Tier 5 performance goals are not achieved with drafted packages (i.e., they missed the target by about 10%).
Heat-recovery ventilators or energy-recovery ventilators (HRVs/ERVs) were considered as an easy and economical way to save energy, especially for the Tier5 prescriptive path; it was proposed that all Tier 5 houses should be equipped with HRVs/ERVs with minimum 75% sensible recovery efficiency.
Drain-water heat-recovery (DWHR) units were also considered as essential to a high efficiency house; therefore, it was proposed that DWHR units with minimum 42% heat recovery efficiency should be installed for all Tier5 houses.
Based on the analysis conducted during the 2020Code cycle for the tiered energy performance requirements in the NBC, a heat pump is required as the primary equipment for space heating to achieve the energy performance goal for higher tiers. Both air-source and gas-fired heat pumps were considered. As gas-fired heat pumps are mainly being used in commercial, not residential, applications at present, only air-source heat pumps were proposed to be used in the Tier5 prescriptive path.
With well-insulated building envelopes and highly efficient space heating equipment, the performance of the service water heating system is another important factor that determines if the Tier5 energy saving goals can be met. Heat pump water heaters, electric conserver water heating tanks, oil-fired water storage tanks and gas-fired instantaneous condensing water heaters were considered because they are the water heating equipment that is most commonly used available on the market.
It is worth noting that the fossil-fuel based mechanical systems (i.e., natural-gas fired or oil-fired systems) are still permitted through the use of the points-based prescriptive trade-off path or the performance path and when combined with a heat pump system in the dual-energy package.
PROPOSED CHANGE
[9.36.] 9.36. Energy Efficiency
[9.36.1.] 9.36.1. General
[9.36.1.1.] 9.36.1.1.Scope
[9.36.1.2.] 9.36.1.2.Definitions
[9.36.1.3.] 9.36.1.3.Compliance and Application
(See Note A-9.36.1.3.PROPOSED CHANGE A-9.36.1.3.)
[1] 1)Except as provided in Sentences (2)to (6), buildings shall comply with
[a] a)the prescriptive or trade-off requirements in Subsections 9.36.2.to 9.36.4.,
[b] b)the performance requirements in Subsection 9.36.5.,
[c] c)the tiered performance requirements in Subsection 9.36.7.,
[d] d)the tiered points-based prescriptive trade-off requirements in Subsection 9.36.8., or
[e] --)the tiered prescriptive requirements in Subsection 9.36.9., or
[f] e)the NECB.
[2] 2)Subsections 9.36.2.to 9.36.4.and 9.36.9. apply to
[a] a)buildings of residential occupancy to which Part 9 applies,
[b] b)buildings containing business and personal services, mercantile or low-hazard industrial occupancies to which Part 9 applies whose combined total floor area does not exceed 300 m2, excluding parking garages that serve residential occupancies, and
[c] c)buildings containing a mix of the residential and non-residential occupancies described in Clauses (a)and (b).
[3] 3)Subsection 9.36.5.and 9.36.7. apply only to
[a] a)houses with or without a secondary suite, and
[b] b)buildings containing only dwelling units and common spaces whose total floor area does not exceed 20% of the total floor area of the building.
(See Note A-9.36.1.3.(3)PROPOSED CHANGE A-9.36.1.3.(3).)
[4] 4)Subsection 9.36.8. applies only to buildings of residential occupancy to which Part 9 applies.
[5] 5)Buildings containing non-residential occupancies whose combined total floor area exceeds 300 m2 or medium-hazard industrial occupancies shall comply with the NECB.
[6] 6)Buildings or portions of buildings that are not required to be conditioned spaces are exempted from the requirements of this Section. (See Note A-9.36.1.3.(6)PROPOSED CHANGE A-9.36.1.3.(6).)
[9.36.2.] 9.36.2. Building Envelope
[9.36.2.1.] 9.36.2.1.Scope and Application
[9.36.2.2.] 9.36.2.2.Determination of Thermal Characteristics of Materials, Components and Assemblies
[9.36.2.3.] 9.36.2.3.Calculation of Ceiling, Wall, Fenestration and Door Areas
[9.36.2.4.] 9.36.2.4.Calculation of Effective Thermal Resistance of Assemblies
[9.36.2.5.] 9.36.2.5.Continuity of Insulation
[9.36.2.6.] 9.36.2.6.Thermal Characteristics of Above-ground Opaque Building Assemblies
[9.36.2.7.] 9.36.2.7.Thermal Characteristics of Fenestration, Doors and Skylights
[9.36.2.8.] 9.36.2.8.Thermal Characteristics of Building Assemblies Below-Grade or in Contact with the Ground
[9.36.2.9.] 9.36.2.9.Airtightness
[9.36.2.10.] 9.36.2.10.Construction of Air Barrier Details
[9.36.2.11.] 9.36.2.11.Trade-off Options for Above-ground Building Envelope Components and Assemblies
[9.36.3.] 9.36.3. HVAC Requirements
[9.36.3.1.] 9.36.3.1.Scope and Application
[9.36.3.2.] 9.36.3.2.Equipment and Ducts
[9.36.3.3.] 9.36.3.3.Air Intake and Outlet Dampers
[9.36.3.4.] 9.36.3.4.Piping for Heating and Cooling Systems
[9.36.3.5.] 9.36.3.5.Equipment for Heating and Air-conditioning Systems
[9.36.3.6.] 9.36.3.6.Temperature Controls
[9.36.3.7.] 9.36.3.7.Humidification
[9.36.3.8.] 9.36.3.8.Heat Recovery from Dehumidification in Spaces with an Indoor Pool or Hot Tub
[9.36.3.9.] 9.36.3.9.Heat Recovery from Ventilation Systems
[9.36.3.10.] 9.36.3.10.Equipment Efficiency
[9.36.3.11.] 9.36.3.11.Solar Thermal Systems
[9.36.4.] 9.36.4. Service Water Heating Systems
[9.36.4.1.] 9.36.4.1.Scope and Application
[9.36.4.2.] 9.36.4.2.Equipment Efficiency
[9.36.4.3.] 9.36.4.3.Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems
[9.36.4.4.] 9.36.4.4.Piping
[9.36.4.5.] 9.36.4.5.Controls
[9.36.4.6.] 9.36.4.6.Indoor Swimming Pool Equipment Controls
[9.36.8.] 9.36.8. Tiered Energy Performance Compliance: Points-Based Prescriptive Trade-off Path
[9.36.8.1.] 9.36.8.1.Scope
[9.36.8.2.] 9.36.8.2.Compliance
[9.36.8.3.] 9.36.8.3.Definitions
[9.36.8.4.] 9.36.8.4.Building Envelope – General
[9.36.8.5.] 9.36.8.5.Energy Conservation Measures for Above-Ground Opaque Building Assemblies
[9.36.8.6.] 9.36.8.6.Energy Conservation Measures for Fenestration and Doors
[9.36.8.7.] 9.36.8.7.Energy Conservation Measures for Opaque Building Assemblies Below-Grade or in Contact with the Ground
[9.36.8.8.] 9.36.8.8.Energy Conservation Measures Relating to Airtightness
[9.36.8.9.] 9.36.8.9.Energy Conservation Measures for HVAC Systems
[9.36.8.10.] 9.36.8.10.Energy Conservation Measures for Service Water Heating Equipment
[9.36.8.11.] 9.36.8.11.Energy Conservation Points for Building Volume
[9.36.9.] -- Tiered Energy Performance Compliance: Tier 5 Prescriptive Path
[9.36.9.1.] ---Scope and Application
[1] --)This Subsection is concerned with achieving compliance with Energy Performance Tier 5, as specified in Table 9.36.7.2., through prescriptive requirements.
[2] --)This Subsection applies only to buildings that
[a] --)are tested for airtightness as required by Article 9.36.9.6.,
[b] --)are equipped with a heat- or energy-recovery ventilator,
[c] --)use a heat pump as the principal space-heating appliance,
[d] --)are equipped with at least one drain-water heat-recovery unit, and
[e] --)use an electric heat pump water heater for service water heating.
(See Note A-9.36.9.1.(2).)
[9.36.9.2.] ---Compliance
[1] --)Compliance with this Subsection shall be achieved by
[a] --)designing and constructing the building envelope in accordance with Articles 9.36.2.1. to 9.36.2.5. and 9.36.9.3. to 9.36.9.6., and
[b] --)designing and constructing systems and equipment for heating, ventilating or air-conditioning in accordance with Article 9.36.9.7., and
[c] --)designing and constructing systems and equipment for service water heating in accordance with Article 9.36.9.8.
[9.36.9.3.] ---Above-Ground Opaque Building Assemblies
[1] --)Except as provided in Article 9.36.2.5. and Sentence 9.36.2.6.(3), the effective thermal resistance of above-ground opaque building assemblies or portions thereof shall be not less than that shown for the applicable heating degree-days of the building location in
[a] --)Table 9.36.9.3.-A where the total volume of conditioned space within the building is greater than 300 m3 or not determined, and
[b] --)Table 9.36.9.3.-B where the total volume of conditioned space within the building is less than or equal to 300 m3.
Table [9.36.9.3.-A] Tier 5 Thermal Characteristics of Above-Ground Opaque Building Assemblies Where Building Volume > 300 m3
Forming Part of Clause 9.36.9.3.(1)(a)
Table [9.36.9.3.-B] Tier 5 Thermal Characteristics of Above-Ground Opaque Building Assemblies Where Building Volume ≤ 300 m3
Forming Part of Clause 9.36.9.3.(1)(b)
[2] --)Where the top of a section of foundation wall is on average greater than or equal to 600 mm above the adjoining ground level, the effective thermal resistance of the above-ground portion of that section of wall shall be not less than that of the above-ground walls.
[3] --)Except for tubular daylighting devices, the effective thermal resistance of skylight shafts shall be not less than that of the above-ground walls.
[9.36.9.4.] ---Fenestration, Doors and Skylights
[1] --)Except as provided in Sentences (2) to (8), fenestration and doors shall have an overall thermal transmittance (U-value) not greater than, or an Energy Rating not less than that shown in Table 9.36.9.4. for the applicable heating-degree days of the building location. (See Note 9.36.2.7.(1) and (2).)
Table [9.36.9.4.] Tier 5 Thermal Characteristics of Fenestration, Doors and Skylights
Forming Part of Sentences 9.36.9.4.(1) and (2)
[2] --)The solar heat gain coefficient of fenestration and doors shall comply with Sentence 9.36.2.7.(2)-2025 (PCF 1823).
[3] --)Skylights shall have a U-value not greater than that shown in Table 9.36.9.4. for the applicable heating-degree days of the building location. (See Note 9.36.2.7.(1) and (2).)
[4] --)Glass block assemblies separating conditioned space from unconditioned space or the exterior shall have
[a] --)a U-value of not more than 2.9 W/(m2×K), and
[b] --)a total aggregate area of not more than 1.85 m2.
[5] --)One door separating a conditioned space from an unconditioned space or the exterior is permitted to have a U-value up to 2.6 W/(m2×K).
[6] --)Storm windows and doors need not comply with Sentence (1).
[7] --)Vehicular access doors separating a conditioned space from an unconditioned space or the exterior shall have a nominal thermal resistance of not less than 1.1 (m2×K)/W.
[8] --)Access hatches separating a conditioned space from an unconditioned space shall be insulated to a nominal thermal resistance of not less than 2.6 (m2×K)/W.
[9.36.9.5.] ---Opaque Building Assemblies Below-Grade or in Contact with the Ground
[1] --)Opaque building assemblies below-grade or in contact with the ground shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Sentence 9.36.2.8.(3) and this Article.
[2] --)Except as provided in Article 9.36.2.5., the effective thermal resistance of foundation walls shall be not less than that shown for the applicable heating degree-days of the building location in
[a] --)Table 9.36.9.5.-A where the total volume of conditioned space within the building is greater than 300 m3 or not determined, and
[b] --)Table 9.36.9.5.-B where the total volume of conditioned space within the building is less than or equal to 300 m3.
Table [9.36.9.5.-A] Tier 5 Thermal Characteristics of Building Assemblies Below Grade or in Contact with the Ground Where Building Volume > 300 m3
Forming Part of Clause 9.36.9.5.(2)(a)
Table [9.36.9.5.-B] Tier 5 Thermal Characteristics of Building Assemblies Below Grade or in Contact with the Ground Where Building Volume ≤ 300 m3
Forming Part of Clause 9.36.9.5.(2)(b)
[1] --)Buildings to which this Subsection applies shall
[a] --)be designed and constructed in accordance with Articles 9.36.2.9.and 9.36.2.10., and
[b] --)be tested for airtightness in accordance with Subsection 9.36.6. to demonstrate compliance with Airtightness Level AL-4A or AL-4B as specified in Table 9.36.6.4.-A or 9.36.6.4.-B.
[9.36.9.7.] ---HVAC Systems
[1] --)HVAC systems, equipment and installations shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Articles 9.36.3.2.to 9.36.3.8. and 9.36.3.11. and this Article.
[2] --)Where HVAC systems, equipment or techniques other than those described in Articles 9.36.3.2.to 9.36.3.8. and 9.36.3.11. and this Article are used, the building shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the NECB.
[3] --)Ventilation systems serving buildings to which this Subsection applies shall be equipped with a heat- or energy-recovery ventilator conforming to Article 9.36.3.9.
[4] --)The sensible recovery efficiency (SRE) measured at an outside air test temperature of 0°C of the heat- or energy-recovery ventilator described in Sentence (3) shall be no less than 75%.
[5] --)Heat pumps shall have an output capacity tested at the standard test temperature of 8.3°C that is equivalent to at least 75% of the design heat loss of the building.
[6] --)HVAC equipment and components shall comply with the performance requirements stated in
[a] --)Table 9.36.9.7.-A where only electricity is used as the energy source, or
[b] --)Table 9.36.9.7.-B where a heat pump is used as the principal space-heating appliance and an oil- or gas-fired furnace is used as the supplementary heating system.
Table [9.36.9.7.-A] Tier 5 Performance Requirements for Heat Pumps — Electrically Operated
Forming Part of Clause 9.36.9.7.(6)(a)
[7] --)Natural gas and propane fireplaces shall comply with Sentence 9.36.3.10.(2).
[8] --)The heat source component of combined space and service water heating systems that are not within the scope of CAN/CSA-P.9, "Test method for determining the performance of combined space and water heating systems (combos)", shall comply with Sentence 9.36.3.10.(3).
[9.36.9.8.] ---Service Water Heating Equipment
[1] --)Service water heating equipment and components shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Subsection 9.36.4. and this Article.
[2] --)Where service water heating equipment or techniques other than those described in Subsection 9.36.4. and this Article are used, the building shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the NECB.
[3] --)Electric heat pump water heaters shall have a uniform energy factor (UEF) not less than 2.95, as determined in accordance with CAN/CSA-C745, ”Energy Efficiency of Electric Storage Tank Water Heaters and Heat Pump Water Heaters.”
[4] --)At least one of the above-ground showers installed in the building to which this Subsection applies shall be served by a drain-water heat-recovery unit.
[5] --)Drain-water heat-recovery units shall
[a] --)be installed in a conditioned space according to the manufacturer's instructions, and
[b] --)have a heat-recovery efficiency no less than 42%, as determined in accordance with CSA B55.1, “Test method for measuring efficiency and pressure loss of drain water heat recovery units.”
Note A-9.36.9.1.(2)Other Compliance Options.
Buildings that do not comply with requirements of the Tier 5 prescriptive path set out in Subsection 9.36.9. are permitted to meet the requirements of the performance path (Subsection 9.36.7.) or the points-based prescriptive trade-off path (Subsection 9.36.8.) to achieve the Tier 5 energy performance target provided in Table 9.36.7.2.
Impact analysis
This proposed change would improve energy performance by following the prescriptive requirements for building envelopes and, HVAC and service water heating systems to achieve Energy Performance Tier 5. Detailed costing data can be found in the supporting document.
Energy Performance Base Code versus Tier5: Small House Archetype
The assumed building archetype is a small two-storey house of approximately 2500 ft.2 of livable space with a walk-out basement. The dimensions of the building archetype are provided in Table1. The base case is a house that is assumed to meet the minimum requirements of Section 9.36. (Base Code).
Table1. Total Area of the Building Envelope Components of the Small House Archetype
Area Part of or Surrounded by Building Envelope
Total Area, m2
Above-grade walls
235
Foundation walls
58
Insulated attic area
96
Window area
34
Heated floor area
78
As shown in Table2, the incremental cost by region varies by climate zone, described in Table3.
Table2. Incremental Cost of Tier 5 Compared to Base Code by Region
Region
Incremental Cost, $
British Columbia
33873–39893
Alberta
35512–39893
Saskatchewan and Manitoba
35512–39893
Ontario
35284–39893
Quebec
35512–39893
Atlantic Canada
35284–39893
Northern Canada
38440–39893
Table 3. Climate Zones by Region
Table 4 provides an example of possible incremental costs by region (and climate zone).
Table 4. Example of Incremental Costs to Achieve Energy Performance Tier 5 for Components of Building Envelope Assemblies and HVAC Systems in the Small House Archetype across Canada(1)
Total Incremental Cost in British Columbia (ClimateZone 4), $
Building Envelope
Above-grade walls
8835.00
Foundation walls
1631.54
Insulated attic area
1410.24
Window area
3580.88
Heated floor area
0.00
Airtightness testing
475.00
Total Building Envelope
15933.66
HVAC System
HRV/ERV75%SRE
300.00
24000BTU Heat Pump, 9.6HSPF5
13740.00
Gas furnace 95% AFUE
0.00
Electric heat pump water heater
3400.00
DWHR42%HRE
500.00
Total HVAC
17940.00
Total Small House
33873.70
Total Incremental Cost in Alberta (ClimateZone 7A), $
Building Envelope
Above-grade walls
10539.80
Foundation walls
1849.04
Insulated attic area
704.64
Window area
2748.56
Heated floor area
1305.72
Airtightness testing
425.00
Total Building Envelope
17572.71
HVAC System
HRV/ERV 75% SRE
300.00
24000 BTU Heat Pump, 9.6 HSPF5
13740.00
Gas furnace 95% AFUE
0.00
Electric heat pump water heater
3400.00
DWHR 42% HRE
500.00
Total HVAC
17940.00
Total Small House
35512.70
Total Incremental Cost in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (ClimateZone 7B), $
Building Envelope
Above-grade walls
12151.90
Foundation walls
2133.24
Insulated attic area
704.64
Window area
2400.06
Heated floor area
2609.88
Airtightness testing
501.00
Total Building Envelope
25720.43
HVAC System
HRV/ERV 75% SRE
300.00
24000BTUHeatPump,9.6HSPF5
13740.00
Gas furnace 95% AFUE
0.00
Electric heat pump water heater
3400.00
DWHR 42% HRE
500.00
Total HVAC
17940.00
Total Small House
38440.70
Total Incremental Cost in Ontario (ClimateZone 5), $
Building Envelope
Above-grade walls
9898.20
Foundation walls
251.14
Insulated attic area
1480.32
Window area
3580.88
Heated floor area
1559.22
Airtightness testing
575.00
Total Building Envelope
17344.76
HVAC System
HRV/ERV 75% SRE
300.00
24000 BTU Heat Pump, 9.6 HSPF5
13740.00
Gas furnace 95% AFUE
0.00
Electric heat pump water heater
3400.00
DWHR 42% HRE
500.00
Total HVAC
17940.00
Total Small House
35284.80
Total Incremental Cost in Quebec (ClimateZone 6), $
Building Envelope
Above-grade walls
9898.20
Foundation walls
1547.44
Insulated attic area
1480.32
Window area
2748.56
Heated floor area
1559.22
Airtightness testing
500.00
Total Building Envelope
17733.74
HVAC System
HRV/ERV 75% SRE
300.00
24000 BTU Heat Pump, 9.6 HSPF5
13740.00
Gas furnace 95% AFUE
0.00
Electric heat pump water heater
3400.00
DWHR 42% HRE
500.00
Total HVAC
17940.00
Total Small House
35673.70
Total Incremental Cost in Atlantic Canada (ClimateZone 6), $
Building Envelope
Above-grade walls
9898.20
Foundation walls
1547.44
Insulated attic area
1480.32
Window area
2748.56
Heated floor area
1559.22
Airtightness testing
750.00
Total Building Envelope
17983.74
HVAC System
HRV/ERV 75% SRE
300.00
24000 BTU Heat Pump, 9.6 HSPF5
13740.00
Gas furnace 95% AFUE
0.00
Electric heat pump water heater
3400.00
DWHR 42% HRE
500.00
Total HVAC
17940.00
Total Small House
35923.70
Total Incremental Cost in Northern Canada (ClimateZone 8), $
Building Envelope
Above-grade walls
12151.90
Foundation walls
836.94
Insulated attic area
704.64
Window area
2400.06
Heated floor area
2609.88
Airtightness testing
3250.00
Total Building Envelope
21953.37
HVAC System
HRV/ERV 75% SRE
300.00
24000 BTU Heat Pump, 9.6 HSPFV
13740.00
Gas furnace 95% AFUE
0.00
Electric heat pump water heater
3400.00
DWHR 42% HRE
500.00
Total HVAC
17940.00
Total Small Building
39893.40
Note to Table 4:
(1) The abbreviations that appear in this Table have the following meanings:
AFUE = annual fuel utilization efficiency
DWHR = drain-water heat recovery
HRE = heat recovery efficiency
HRV/ERV = heat- or energy-recovery ventilator
HSPF V = heating seasonal performance factor for region V
HVAC = heating, ventilating and air-conditioning
SRE = sensible recovery efficiency measured at an outside air test temperature of 0°C
Enforcement implications
This proposed change could be enforced by the infrastructure currently available to enforce the Code.
This proposed change would facilitate the effective enforcement of high-performance energy solutions in jurisdictions where complying with the performance path is problematic.
Who is affected
Regulators, builders, designers, engineers, architects, contractors and consultants in provinces and territories where Energy Performance Tier5 of the NBC has been adopted for housing and small buildings.