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Builder Resources
Everything you need to navigate BC Energy Step Code compliance. Guides, tools, rebate info, and municipality-specific resources.
Step Code Fundamentals
ACH50 Airtightness Targets for Every Step of BC's Energy Step Code
ACH50 targets by Step level, how blower door testing works, common failure points, and what it takes to reliably hit 1.5 ACH50 or better for Step Code 4 compliance.
BC Step Code 4: What Builders Need to Know Before 2027
Step Code 4 requires airtightness of 1.5 ACH50 or less. Here is what changes from Step 3, what it costs, how to hit your targets, and how to unlock up to $15,000 in FortisBC rebates.
Step Code 4 Is 8 Months Away. Here's What Changes for Your Builds.
Step Code 4 expected January 2027. ACH drops from 2.5 to 1.5, heat pumps required, FortisBC rebates up to $15K. What Okanagan builders need to do now.
Builder's Checklist for Step Code 4 Compliance: Phase by Phase
A phase-by-phase checklist for BC builders preparing for Step Code 4. From pre-construction planning through final testing, every decision point covered for 1.5 ACH50 compliance.
BC Zero Carbon Step Code: What Builders Need to Know About Emission Levels
BC Zero Carbon Step Code explained. Emission levels EL-1 through EL-4, fossil fuel phase-out, and how it affects Part 9 builders.
Air Sealing & Compliance
AeroBarrier Okanagan: Authorized Dealer Serving the Valley
Okanagan's authorized AeroBarrier dealer. Kelowna, West Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, Lake Country, and beyond. 100+ verified residential seals, 0.24 ACH50 best.
AeroBarrier vs Traditional Air Sealing: Complete Comparison
Compare AeroBarrier to caulking, tape, and spray foam. Cost, time, reliability, and achievable ACH50 for each method. Which is right for your BC build?
Air Sealing Checklist for BC Step Code Compliance
Phase-by-phase air sealing checklist for BC Step Code builds. Foundation, framing, windows, penetrations, attic, pre-drywall inspection. Miss nothing.
Air Sealing Methods Compared: Caulking, Tape, Spray Foam, and Aerosol Sealing
Side-by-side comparison of air sealing methods for BC Step Code compliance. Costs, time, reliability, and achievable ACH50 results for caulking, taping, spray foam, and AeroBarrier aerosol sealing.
The 10 Most Common Air Leaks in BC Homes and How to Seal Them
Where air leaks happen in new BC homes. Rim joists, penetrations, rough openings, and more. Traditional and aerosol sealing methods.
Pre-Drywall Air Sealing: Why Mid-Construction Testing Changes Everything
Why testing before drywall is the most important step in your air sealing strategy. What to seal, when to test, common leakage paths, and how mid-construction testing saves time and money on Step Code compliance.
Cost & Rebates
How Much Does AeroBarrier Cost in BC?
AeroBarrier pricing in BC explained: cost ranges by home size, factors that move the price, ROI from rebates and energy savings, and how it compares to traditional sealing.
The Real Cost of Step Code Compliance: Step 3 vs Step 4 vs Step 5
Detailed cost breakdown of BC Energy Step Code compliance for Part 9 residential builders. Incremental costs per step level, what drives the premium, FortisBC rebates, and ROI analysis.
Complete Guide to BC Step Code Rebates (2026)
BC Step Code rebates explained: FortisBC, BC Hydro, CleanBC, municipal programs. How to stack rebates up to $20,000+ per home. Current for 2026.
Building Envelope
HVAC & Mechanical
Compliance & Process
Policy & Timeline
Testing & Compliance
Blower Door Test Explained: What BC Builders Need to Know
Blower door test explained for BC builders. How the test works, ACH50 and CFM50 meaning, pre-drywall vs final test, prep steps, and what happens if you fail.
Blower Door Testing for BC Builders: How It Works and How to Prepare
A practical guide to blower door testing for BC Step Code compliance. How the test works, what equipment is used, how to prepare your build, common mistakes, and what to do if you fail.
Failed Your Blower Door Test? Here's What to Do Next
Failed a BC blower door test? Emergency air sealing, AeroBarrier rescue, and how to get your occupancy permit without tearing open finished drywall.
Technical
How to Achieve Step Code 4 and 5: The Air Sealing Method That Works
Step 4 requires 1.5 ACH50. Step 5 requires 1.0. Here's what typical results look like by method, and why aerosol sealing is the most reliable path to compliance.
BC Step Code Guide: The Builder's Resource for Energy Step Code Compliance
Everything BC builders need to know about the Energy Step Code. Requirements by Step level, ACH50 targets, air sealing methods, FortisBC rebates up to $20,000, and municipality-specific guides.
Rebates & Financial
Step Code Levels
BC Energy Step Code 3: Requirements, Costs & What Builders Need to Know
What BC Step Code 3 means for builders. Understand the energy performance and airtightness requirements for Step 3 compliance.
BC Energy Step Code 5: Net-Zero Ready Requirements for Builders
What BC Step Code 5 means for builders. The highest residential step with near net-zero energy performance and strict airtightness targets.
Municipality Guides
Armstrong Step Code & AeroBarrier Air Sealing
Armstrong BC Step Code requirements and AeroBarrier air sealing services. ACH50 targets, blower door testing, FortisBC rebates, and compliance guidance for builders.
Big White Step Code & AeroBarrier Air Sealing
Big White BC Step Code requirements and AeroBarrier air sealing services. ACH50 targets, blower door testing, FortisBC rebates, and compliance guidance for builders.
Burnaby Step Code Requirements for Builders
Current BC Energy Step Code requirements for builders in the City of Burnaby. Zero Carbon EL-4 performance requirements, electrification mandate, and Metro Vancouver context.
Coldstream Step Code & AeroBarrier Air Sealing
Coldstream BC Step Code requirements and AeroBarrier air sealing services. ACH50 targets, blower door testing, FortisBC rebates, and compliance guidance for builders.
Enderby Step Code & AeroBarrier Air Sealing
Enderby BC Step Code requirements and AeroBarrier air sealing services. ACH50 targets, blower door testing, FortisBC rebates, and compliance guidance for builders.
Kamloops Step Code Requirements for Builders
Kamloops BC Step Code requirements for Part 9 residential builders. Current step level, ACH50 target, Climate Zone 5 data, semi-arid climate considerations, and FortisBC rebates.
BC Step Code Requirements in Kelowna
City of Kelowna Energy Step Code requirements for Part 9 residential buildings. Current Step level, HDD value, permit process, mid-construction test rebate, and local resources.
Lake Country Step Code Requirements for Builders
Lake Country BC Step Code requirements for Part 9 residential builders. Current step level, ACH50 target, Climate Zone 5 data, permit process, and FortisBC rebate eligibility.
Langford
BC Energy Step Code requirements for builders in Langford. Step 3 compliance, CZ4 climate context, high-volume construction tips, and permit info.
Lumby Step Code & AeroBarrier Air Sealing
Lumby BC Step Code requirements and AeroBarrier air sealing services. ACH50 targets, blower door testing, FortisBC rebates, and compliance guidance for builders.
Merritt Step Code & AeroBarrier Air Sealing
Merritt BC Step Code requirements and AeroBarrier air sealing services. ACH50 targets, blower door testing, Nicola Valley climate context, and FortisBC rebate info.
Nanaimo
BC Energy Step Code requirements for builders in Nanaimo. Step 3 compliance, CZ4 climate context, air sealing targets, and permit resources.
North Vancouver
BC Energy Step Code requirements for builders in North Vancouver District. Early Step Code adopter, CZ4 climate, air sealing targets, and permit info.
Oliver Step Code & AeroBarrier Air Sealing
Oliver BC Step Code requirements and AeroBarrier air sealing services. ACH50 targets, blower door testing, FortisBC rebates, and compliance guidance for builders.
Osoyoos Step Code & AeroBarrier Air Sealing
Osoyoos BC Step Code requirements and AeroBarrier air sealing services. ACH50 targets, blower door testing, FortisBC rebates, and compliance guidance for builders.
Peachland Step Code & AeroBarrier Air Sealing
Peachland BC Step Code requirements and AeroBarrier air sealing services. ACH50 targets, blower door testing, FortisBC rebates, and compliance guidance for builders.
Penticton Step Code Requirements for Builders
Penticton BC Step Code requirements for Part 9 residential builders. Current step level, ACH50 target, Climate Zone 5 advantages, permit process, and FortisBC rebate pathways.
Revelstoke Step Code & AeroBarrier Air Sealing
Revelstoke BC Step Code requirements and AeroBarrier air sealing services. ACH50 targets, blower door testing, FortisBC rebates, and compliance guidance for builders.
Salmon Arm Step Code & AeroBarrier Air Sealing
Salmon Arm BC Step Code requirements and AeroBarrier air sealing. ACH50 targets, blower door testing, Shuswap climate context, and FortisBC rebate guidance for builders.
Squamish
BC Energy Step Code requirements for builders in Squamish. Step 3 compliance, CZ4 mountain climate context, air sealing targets, and permit info.
Summerland Step Code & AeroBarrier Air Sealing
Summerland BC Step Code requirements and AeroBarrier air sealing services. ACH50 targets, blower door testing, FortisBC rebates, and compliance guidance for builders.
Surrey Step Code Requirements for Builders
Current BC Energy Step Code requirements, timelines, and compliance guidance for builders in the City of Surrey. Mid-construction testing, Zero Carbon EL-1, and Metro Vancouver context.
Vancouver Step Code Requirements for Builders
City of Vancouver and Metro Vancouver Energy Step Code requirements for Part 9 residential buildings. VBBL requirements, Zero Emissions Building Plan, airtightness targets, and local incentives.
Vernon Step Code Requirements for Builders
Vernon BC Step Code requirements for Part 9 residential builders. Current step level, ACH50 target, Climate Zone 5 HDD data, permit process, and FortisBC rebate eligibility.
Victoria
BC Energy Step Code requirements for builders in Victoria. VBBL Step 3+ requirements, CZ4 climate advantages, air sealing targets, and permit resources.
West Kelowna Step Code Requirements for Builders
West Kelowna BC Step Code requirements for Part 9 residential builders. Current step level, ACH50 target, elevation-specific considerations, permit process, and FortisBC rebates.
Whistler Step Code Requirements for Builders
BC Energy Step Code requirements for Part 9 residential buildings in the Resort Municipality of Whistler. Step 4, Climate Zone 6, airtightness targets, and zero carbon direction.
Services
AeroBarrier Air Sealing
Aerosol air sealing that reliably hits your ACH50 target. 100+ verified seals.
Blower Door Testing
Pre-drywall and final blower door testing for BC residential projects.
Step Code Compliance Support
Planning, strategy, and field support for Step Code compliance.
Commercial Air Sealing
Part 3 building envelope sealing for multi-unit, office, and institutional buildings.
Retrofit Air Sealing
AeroBarrier air sealing for existing homes. Lower bills and better comfort.