The New
National Energy Code
has arrived.

The Government of Canada has released an updated National Energy Code which will be in effect as of November 1st, 2016.

This upgrade is a significant and much needed change to the new home industry. However, this may negatively effect costs for many new home builds. These new criteria’s will have a direct impact on the design and implementation of wall/roof assemblies and the mechanical components required for your home to perform as a complete system. 

TILT’s existing building practices far exceed these new requirements. As a result, our clients won’t have much to worry about during the architectural design and permit approval process.

 
 

Considerations

  • Greater energy efficiency will require more sophisticated mechanical systems for the system to work as a whole.

  • The N.E.C. will include a trade-off system where you can meet the efficiency targets by combining various ULC approved assemblies.

  • Energy targets are expected to require a further 50% energy reduction as they move towards “net zero” energy by the year 2030.

  • The industry will have to adapt to a new ‘low-carbon’ future in which buildings may have to be regenerative, basically producing more than they consume.

 
 

Challenges

The Building Envelope

One of the most difficult challenges facing Canadian designers and builders, following this National Energy code upgrade, will be specifically to the building envelope. The era of filling cavity walls with insulation batts could be coming to an end. Exterior insulation may just become the norm. Therefore, builders will have to completely rethink how walls are designed and built.

From R-Values to U-Values

The new method for measuring energy performance in walls will  change from R-value to U-value. U-value is the rate of the heat flow; while R-value measures the resistance to heat flow. U-values have been already been in use for windows in Canada – however the new code will make it the standard for walls as well. Framing, thermal bridging, and other wall details will have to be taken into account to determine U-values.

 

Check back for updates.