Changes to the BC Building Code coming into effect May 1, 2023 will apply to all new homes built in the RDEK’s six Electoral Areas.
“New homes built in BC, including all of our Electoral Areas in the RDEK, will now be required to meet Step 3 of the BC Energy Step Code,” explains RDEK Building Supervisor Kenley Barros. “This means that most new construction in BC must be 20% more energy efficient than base 2018 BC Building Code.”
To comply with the BC Energy Step Code, builders must do an energy model at the design phase and conduct on-site testing to demonstrate that both their design and the constructed building meet the requirements of the new standard.
“The RDEK had previously chosen to participate in Step 2 of the program, so many of these practices have already been implemented,” adds Barros.
For more information on this change and the Step Code program within the RDEK, visit www.rdek.bc.ca and search “BC Energy Step Code”. The RDEK recommends municipal residents check in with their municipal office for details on how the Building Code changes will impact them.
