What is a high-performance home and why should we care?

By Ron Rapp
April 15, 2022

“High-performance home” is a commonly seen tag in the residential construction sector. Stated simply, it is a home that is built over and above the basic requirements of the BC Building Code and optimizes the performance of a structure for increased energy efficiencies and comfort, health, and safety levels.

To build higher performing homes in BC, the pathway that has been adopted is based on the BC Energy Step Code. Energy performance thresholds are assigned to each step, with Step 1 performing 10 percent better than code, through to Step 5, reflecting a more than 50 percent improvement. The target in BC is for all new homes being built to be ‘net-zero ready’ (Step 5) by 2032, meaning the home is ‘’ready’’ to produce as much energy as a homeowner consumes by having an energy source such as geothermal or solar panels.

High-performance homes are constructed with enhanced wall assemblies, increased insulation values, and reduced “air change” rates, making the home more airtight and the heating and cooling more efficient. Combined with efficient mechanical systems, air is exchanged and circulated through the home for higher indoor air quality, a benefit to anyone dealing with allergies, asthma, and coping with hotter summers, and pollutants such as wildfire smoke.

 

 

The benefits of a high-performance home include better built doors and windows for enhanced thermal performance, adding to increased year-round comfort, and noise abatement. Durability and security are also enhanced with better-built hardware and frames. Add automated Wi-Fi-based control systems, and you can monitor your property, manage lighting, operate locks and more from anywhere via your phone.

Residential construction today involves building science and high technology that requires trained and knowledgeable consultants, builders, and their trades. A professional licensed builder will assure that your new home purchase meets code, is properly constructed, maintains warranties, and delivers the best value for your family.

All builders of wood frame single-family, and multi-unit homes will have to meet Step Code 3 in 2022, but some municipalities are requiring homes to be built to Step 4 or Step 5 now, while others have yet to mandate Step 3 or less. Therefore, it is important to ask the builder which threshold they are building to, and what features and specifications are deployed to meet the performance targets. Energy choices for heating and cooling your home, and water heating should also be reviewed, as many municipalities are limiting or precluding the use of natural gas, and this may also limit choice, or availability of appliances, fireplaces, patio heaters, and barbecues.

Built to become a legacy, high-performance homes create value now and into the future, with resale value preserved as new homes will all be built to this higher standard. HAVAN offers extensive information, podcasts, and resources for consumers at havan.ca/high-performance-homes.

About Ron Rapp

Ron Rapp is the interim CEO of the Homebuilder Association of Vancouver (HAVAN)

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