www.communityenergy.bc.ca urban gymnastics: is it possible to get around regulations that don’t...

www.communityenergy.bc.ca

Urban Gymnastics:

Is it Possible to Get Around Regulations that Don’t Support Designing for Energy Efficiency?

Renewable Cities Global Learning Forum

Patricia BellCommunity Energy Association

May 11, 2015

http://www.communityenergy.bc.ca/


Community Energy Association Purpose

• CEA is a charitable non-profit society

• CEA is the trusted independent advisor to local governments

• We are helping local governments close the implementation gap

Accelerate Climate Action withPeople and Projects

Awareness & Recognition• Workshops & Presentations • Research & Publications• Collaboration • Climate & Energy Action Awards

Projects• Planning• Implementation • Technology Acceleration



Community Energy Association Corporate Members



Community Energy Association Municipal Members



Context

National Building Code

Provincial Building Codes

BC Building Code

Local Building Bylaws

Related Bylaws



Context

The Playing Field• Province and industry prefer consistency• Many local governments would like to just implement the

building code but feel it is not aggressive enough• New building code (Dec 2014) is better but not great• New Building Act reinforces provincial jurisdiction - no local

government building bylaws and restrictions on building related content in official plans, zoning bylaws, other bylaws

• BUT voluntary programs offering incentives are OK!



Context



Voluntary Programs Offering Incentives – OK!




City of North Vancouver Density Bonusing Bylaw• Incents all new buildings and homes to meet EnerGuide 80

requirements.• Two levels of permissible density for each zone.• In single family and duplex zones, basements are included in

permissible floor area if building code standards are met.• Basements are excluded from permissible floor area if you

build to EG 80.• This allows for builders and developers to increase sale profits

through larger housing units, while offsetting much of the incremental costs associated with increased energy efficiency.

• Since the bylaw was adopted, 95% of developments have accepted the incentive.

• Uptake is estimated to have reduce GHG emissions by 440 tonnes between adoption and 2013 and reduce electricity consumption by 1.3 GWh.

• .




Township of Langley Building Permit Fee Rebate ProgramProcess: • Analyze historical building permit numbers and forecast future building permit

demand • Identify typical building permit fees• Estimate incremental costs to builders for various targets• Check for other incentives for various targets• Estimate program operating costs• Evaluate possible program options against goals• Select option• Consult with stakeholders• Identify short (pilot phase) and long term source of funds to support the rebate

(combination of increased building permit fees, grants, operating budget)




• Builders will also receive a rebate related to the cost of assessment – about $300• Programs costs estimated at $60,000 - $70,000 per year, covered through existing

operating budgets, proceeds from modified building permit application fee structure and, initially, an BC Hydro grant.



Guiding Questions (and some thoughts)

1. What role and cities and the private sector play?

2. What market mechanisms can be leveraged to overcome barriers?

Some thoughts:• Incentive programs (rebates, additional floor space)• Education and information to support existing consumer demand:

• Realtors• Builders• Public



Thank-you!

Patricia BellManger of Planning & Director of Education

[email protected]


mailto:[email protected]


EXTRA SLIDE: Voluntary Programs Offering Incentives – OK!

Table 1: Additional Monthly Mortgage Costs if Additional EG80 Costs Amortized over 25 Years Interest Rate 3% Interest Rate 4% Interest Rate 5%

Incremental Cost

Monthly Annual Monthly Annual Monthly Annual

$4,000 $18.93 $227.16 $21.05 $252.60 $23.27 $279.24 $6,000 $28.40 $340.80 $31.57 $378.84 $34.90 $418.80 $8,000 $37.86 $454.32 $42.09 $505.08 $46.53 $558.36

$10,000 $47.33 $567.96 $52.61 $631.32 $58.17 $698.04 Small

home* Medium home

Large home

% energy savings at EG 80 vs 2014 building code 27% 27% 25%

Incremental capital cost of upgrades $3,434 $4,025 $4553

Reduced annual operating costs of EG80 home (compared with 2014 Code)

$467 $690 $756

* Large home = 4150 sq ft (total of main+2nd+bsmt); Medium home = 2999 sq ft (total of main+2nd+bsmt); Small home = 1400 sq ft (total of main+2nd+bsmt). Note that small homes will perform better with the 2014 code update – almost to EG79. So the upgrade will exceed 80, likely reach 82.



EXTRA SLIDE: Voluntary Programs Offering Incentives – OK!

Building permit fees were averaging $2,119 for SFD and $1,525 for MFD


www.communityenergy.bc.ca urban gymnastics: is it possible to get around regulations that don’t...

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