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Module 1

Demystifying the Future of Canadian Home Construction:

A Survival Guide to Building Affordable Homes for Energy Step/Tier Code 3, 4 and 5

2.5 Hours (2.5 CPD)

This series takes the learner through the design process of a market, single-family home project proposed for Central Vancouver Island. This session introduces options that work with the evolving Code expectations for Energy Efficiency, Seismic & Wind Resiliency, Heat Dome Cooling Requirements, Carbon Accountability, Radon Gas Provisions, and the Electrification of Homes. The format is based on a deep dive into a traditional Part 9 home, as well as an example of a “missing middle” Cottage Courtyard style residential design, and exploring efficient options for achieving Energy Step/Tier Code 3, and beyond to Step/Tier Code 4 and 5 (including true net zero) performance while accounting for all of the other evolving Code expectations. The potential impacts of these changes on affordability will also be considered.

In this session, students will be led through:

• The anticipated changes expected for the 2025 National Harmonized Building Code for Canada and the Provincial/Territorial commitment for adoption of this Code within 18 months following this release,
• A high-level overview of the risks and rewards of achieving the upper levels of energy efficiency as the Construction industry moves to the highest Tier requirements for new homes by 2030,
• A summary of the new requirements for earthquake and high wind resiliency across Canada, and opportunities to incorporate these early into the design process and control costly professional design input and construction costs,
• The anticipated evolution of operational carbon limits and accountability to embodied carbon built into new homes,
• A summary of what is expected with respect to mitigating the risks of radon gas exposure for the occupants of new homes, and
• This section explains evolving HVAC options that make sense for new homes in light of the energy efficiency expectations associated with the upper Step/Stretch/Tier Codes and the design direction of a proposed multi-home and gently densified "missing middle" project for Central Vancouver Island. 
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