The introduction of an energy code in BC this September won’t send shockwaves through the thermal insulation world (most of the better practices already meet the new code’s requirements), but that doesn’t mean contractors shouldn’t be reevaluating the way they do their work, according to one engineer.

“In 2010 or 2011 I anticipate that the energy codes will become quite a bit more stringent,” explains Blair McCarry, a project engineer with Stantec Consulting Inc. EnerGuide 80 for homes and possibly the 2010 version of ASHRAE 90.1 will require 30 percent less energy use than the current energy code model.

That could start a signifi cant design shift away from the current standard “all-air” system model for cooling and heating commercial buildings to the use of more “water-based” systems, similar to systems commonly specified across Europe. “It would mean more piping and in turn more pipe insulation,” he says.

In the meantime, McCarry says that contractors who have been doing installations on the cheap might have a bigger workload ahead of them with the introduction of the new energy code this September. For others, meeting the energy requirements of the new code “isn’t much of a stretch.”

“As this is the introduction of an energy code in BC, the [code] officials did not want to rock the boat too much. There will be a couple of years for the contractors, engineers, architects and code officials to get up to speed with the new requirements and procedures.”

He adds that there may be less work for some contractors in the field because architects, engineers and designers are exploring innovative ways of reducing energy requirements (think reduced window size, for instance) so all-air systems will become smaller. At the same time, if water-based cooling/heating systems take off, there will be an opportunity to create zone systems which will only require local office area fan coils to move air, rather than huge central air ducts. “Your sheet metal volume might go down, but your insulation thickness might go up. And if there is going to be more water piping than there will be a requirement for more insulation.”

McCarry is Stantec’s project engineer for a number of high-profile jobs including Vancouver’s new convention centre and the Olympic Oval.

The new code is based on the ASHRAE 90.1 standard implemented in 2004.

It won’t impact industry contractors in Vancouver and the province of Ontario because both jurisdictions have had energy policies in place that meet the ASHRAE standards. In other regions and municipalities around BC and Canada, however, there are no parallel energy bylaws or codes, points out McCarry. “In those markets, you might have got away with just putting any insulation on pipe, but now there are various sizes of pipe and operating temperatures that require specific thicknesses of insulation.” The code will also require insulation for supply air ducts for air conditioning.

Until now, insulation standards have been driven by the market, which has demanded different amounts of insulation for commercial projects in different climatic zones, explains Andrew Pape-Salmon, acting director, energy efficiency, of the BC government’s Electricity and Alternative Energy Division. Contractors meeting only the bare minimum requirements or less in the past may have to train their staff quickly because all building permits taken out after Sept. 5, 2008, require compliance with the new code. ASHRAE has offered training and education on the new code standards and training is available through the Building Officials Association of BC.

“It is only logical that we would go with ASHRAE because it is constantly being updated [every three years],” he says. However, the BC government supports a switch to the Model National Energy Code for Buildings because it will reflect Canadian conditions. It will be implemented in 2012.

In the meantime, McCarry recommends checking out ASHRAE’s website <www.ashrae.org> for free downloads of several energy design guides including small offices, schools and warehouses. The guides include data tables for different climatic regions and examine ways on how to achieve 30 percent energy reductions over the 2004 code standards. The next design guides will feature data on 50 percent energy reductions and three years later the guides introduced will deal with a 77 percent reduction in energy usage.

McCarry says any contractors thinking that those kinds of mandated energy reductions are a pipedream are in for a big surprise. ASHRAE 90.1 energy standards are required in Ontario, and provinces such as Quebec, Manitoba and Nova Scotia are looking at introducing energy codes. Alberta remains steadfastly against moving ahead on mandating energy reductions.

He points out that the US is already ahead of Canada, with about 40 states and many cities having adopted ASHRAE 90.1 standards or some variation of them through energy codes. New York City has set highest standard. Its ambitious PLANYC 2030 program incorporates a number of green initiatives, including a mandatory energy renovation requirement for all buildings over 50,000 square feet within ten years. Under the plan, subsidies will be offered for seven years on a declining year-by-year basis for completed renovations. “It’s very progressive even by international standards.”

While neither the Canadian nor the US federal governments has done much to push energy codes to a higher standard, McCarry thinks they will have no choice but to get on the bandwagon. “Corporations are pushing developers to get greener buildings. It is the marketplace that is fundamentally shifting.”

One of the biggest concerns over the next few years, however, is the growing skilled labour shortage. “We have to find a way to build things efficiently and economically with a reduced work trade.”