Course Description

It is recommended that you take each Part of this 3 Part series in order.

This video recording is Part 2 of 3 of the full day session originally recorded on May 4^th 2023 in Victoria BC.  The entire 3 part video series takes a deeper dive into the BC Energy Step Code metrics for Part 9 buildings and how to achieve Step 3 and higher through design and building techniques to build better and minimize costs.

This content focuses on practical strategies for effective design, proper selection and installation of mechanical systems, and airtightness. Using real world examples and different housing archetypes from local climates, the presenters examine why some projects fail while others pass easily.   This session is geared towards building and design professionals.  Instruction will assume a basic understanding of the BC Energy Step Code.

In Part 2 you:

• Identify climate areas where heat pump only and hybrid systems work best;
• Compare home size, room size, and insulation values against common heat pump operation performance issues;
• Walk through CSA F280 calculations and discuss builder responsibilities;
• Identify best practices when utilizing heat pumps in cold climates;
• Discuss common barriers to successfully installing and operating heat pumps;
• Define HRV and ERV ventilation and review both good and poor installation examples;
• Discuss why focusing on selling high performance homes is a more successful way to promoting higher step code compliance to new home owners;
• Introduce and define Air Leakage and the associated Step Code Metrics;
• Demonstrate various tapes and discuss best practices to use which tape where;
• Demonstrate an air blower door test and discuss best practices in how to successfully support your Energy Advisor when they perform blower door testing.

This course was originally presented by

• Mark Bernhardt: President, Bernhardt Contracting
• Joe Hart: Founder, Icon Homes Ltd., Former CHBA BC President