2023 Checklist Updates & Other Important Notes
2023 Program Updates
This year, our checklist updates are a result of input received from industry, code changes, new technologies, alongside our Technical Standards Committee and the Board of Directors. These changes are not substantial: some items were removed because they were no longer applicable, while others were updated due to industry standard changes.
Program Checklists:
- Single Family New Construction (includes *Net Zero Energy+)
- Single Family MURB New Construction
- Single Family Whole-House Renovation
- Single Family Room Renovation (Kitchen, Bathroom, Basement)
- High Density New Construction (includes mixed use and Renovation)
- Communities – Pilot
Note, full list of checklist updates are below.
**BUILT GREEN® Net Zero Energy+
For BUILT GREEN® Gold or Platinum projects that reach net zero energy (home produces as much energy as it uses) Built Green recognizes this achievement, providing additional eligibility requirements have been met:
1) Builder has successfully completed Built Green Net Zero Energy for New Construction training.
2) Builder is working with an Energy Advisor who has also successfully taken this training.
Our Checklists and Guides are available for download on the BUILT GREEN® Portal. Or members may contact the office.
Occupant Wellness – NEW
For the first time since Built Green began, we have added a new section to our programs. Occupant Wellness focuses on the well-being of its occupants, physically and mentally.
Health and wellness continue to be top of mind for homebuyers. With indoor air quality and ventilation already part of our programs, the addition of this new section aims to further improve occupants’ wellbeing. We encourage builders to further consider wellness—and we know that industry has valuable input; we want to hear from you, should you have suggestions for this, or any, section of our programs.
During this introductory phase, no minimum points will be required; rather, points earned will be included in the overall checklist total.
Other Important Updates
1) Small Builder Definition Update
Small Builders are those with less than 10 homes total, per year. For verification of Small Builder status, you're required to provide documentation that supports your eligibility—accepted documents include warranty forms, permit applications, or other related documentation, such as a non-notarized statutory declaration acknowledging related companies and that their volume is under five million per year.
2) High Density Fee Sliding Scale
Effective now, High Density project fees are based on a sliding scale:
- $100 per unit, up to the first 100 units
- $75 per unit, from 101 to 300 units
- $50 per unit thereafter
Important Reminders
1) Project Enrolments: March 31 Deadline
Projects using the 2022 checklist must be enrolled by March 31, 2023. If there are extenuating circumstances, please contact us.
2) Your Membership Renewal
Membership renewals continue being issued during this time, so please keep an eye out and ensure you renew for 2023; you may pay by cheque or online.
3) Energy Code / Step Code / Tier Code
To create greater alignment with the BC Energy Step Code and incoming Energy Tier Code, as an alternate energy compliance pathway to going with the % improvement for Part 9 buildings, Built Green offers builders the option of using compliance requirements for step code or incoming Energy Tier Code.
**EnerGuide remains a requirement; however, should a builder prefer to use the Step Code requirement results instead of the ERS score, this will be accepted for Built Green's Section 1 energy requirements.
The builder can choose this compliance pathway, using the Step Code scores for the energy requirement for BUILT GREEN® Single Family certification. As-Built Compliance Reports required by your municipality must also be submitted to Built Green Canada for verification.
Your Competitive Advantage: BUILT GREEN® Is Beyond Code
With our programs, you can augment your code requirements, as we address more than energy, for a more holistic approach—it’s the “more” that offers you a competitive advantage. Our label means you’re not just building to code, but going beyond: it means you’re building more sustainably and not just energy efficiently. More homebuyer benefits.
4) Innovative Ways to Earn Points
We are very keen to hear from those who are pushing the boundaries to innovate—and to reward with points. So, we want to encourage your consideration of:
- Greenhouse gas emission reporting
- Carbon lifecycle analysis
- Disaster preparedness
- Home modifications for aging in place
- Water Efficiency Rating Score (WERS) certification—an optional performance pathway for Water Conservation
- And other ways you’re innovating
Full Summary of New and Revised Checklist Items
NEW Single Family Checklist items (also applicable to MURB)
| 1.3.8.6 |
Install a P.9-11 tested combi system with minimum EF of 91 (2 points) 93 (3 points). |
| 1.3.14 |
Engage independent Commissioning Agent to review owner's HVAC and lighting system requirements, and review drawings and specifications (2 pts. for approx. 90% working drawings); AND verify HVAC installation and operation (3 points); AND / OR perform follow-up onsite review of warranty items, including comfort, controls, and energy efficiency (1 point). |
| 8.1.12 |
Builder implements life-cycle analysis on build |
REVISED Single Family Checklist items
| 1.3.8.2 |
Install ENERGY STAR rated “tankless” hot water heater (EF >0.93 for 1 point; EF >0.95 for 3 points). |
| 2.3.7 |
Fascia and / or soffit made from durable material such as fiber cement, aluminum, etc. (vinyl not accepted). 1 pt each. |
| 2.3.15 |
Install durable flooring (e.g. laminate, finished concrete, tile, hardwood, vinyl planking, etc.) in all high-traffic areas (halls, kitchen, living space) (1 point), more than 30% of all indoor flooring (2 points), more than 60% of all indoor flooring (3 points), or more than 90% of all indoor flooring (4 points). |
| 3.1.1 |
Install air filtration on all air handling systems: (i) pleated media filter with minimum MERV rating of 8-11 (1 point) or 12-16 (2 points); OR (ii) an electrostatic air cleaner (2 points); OR (iii) an electronic air cleaner (3 points); OR (iv) a HEPA filtration system (6 points). |
| 3.25 |
Carpet-free design: all flooring surfaces are hard (including stairs). |
| 5.2 |
Implement a recycling program: collection of waste materials from site by a waste management company that is a current member of a provincial recycling council or equivalent association that has a recycling component to its charter and verifies that a minimum of 25% of the materials collected from the construction site have been recycled. |
| 6.1.10 |
Landscape design includes native / drought tolerant plants: 50% for 1 pt; 90% for 2 pts. |
| 8.1.2 |
Builder's environmental policy includes and prioritizes milestones for future net zero energy homes. |
| 8.1.8 |
50% (2 pts) or 100% (4 pts) of electricity used during first year of occupancy is generated by wind power or an equivalent renewable energy supply (prepaid by builder). Builder has renewable energy certificates of 50% or 100% of the estimated energy consumption for the year, based on the EnerGuide Homeowner Report. |
| 8.1.11 |
The builder integrates innovative sustainable building practices above and beyond what is contained within the checklist section and provides supporting documentation. The innovation must apply to the project and will be reviewed by the Technical Standards Committee at the time of submission. |
| 8.3.4 |
Contracted trades, suppliers, and/or supporting design professionals have successfully taken and maintained BUILT GREEN® Training: Program Fundamentals, Construction Technology for BUILT GREEN®, BUILT GREEN® Net Zero Energy for New Construction, and other related training focused on sustainable building practices. BUILT GREEN® training must be updated every two years. (1 pt per trade organization—max. 5). |
| 8.3.5 |
Builder's site superintendent has successfully taken and maintained BUILT GREEN® Training: Program Fundamentals (1 point) Construction Technology for BUILT GREEN®, BUILT GREEN® Net Zero Energy for New Construction, and other related training focused on sustainable building practices (2 additional points). BUILT GREEN® training must be updated every two years. |
NEW High Density Checklist items
| 8.1.13 |
Builder implements life-cycle analysis on build. |
REVISED High Density Checklist items
| 1.2.20 |
The builder conducts an air-tightness inspection at the mid-construction stage (1 point), with optional blower door test (additional 1 point). This will allow the Energy Advisor or Engineer to identify areas of air leakage before completion. At completion, additional points for final Air Change per Hour levels: less than 3 ACH (1 point), less than 2 ACH (3 points), and less than 1 ACH (5 points). |
| 1.3.17 |
Engage independent Commissioning Agent to review owner's HVAC and lighting system requirements, and review drawings and specifications (2 pts. for approx. 90% working drawings); AND verify installation and operation of HVAC and lighting systems (3 points); AND / OR perform follow-up onsite review of HVAC and lighting warranty items, including comfort, controls, and energy efficiency (1 point). |
| 2.3.7 |
Fascia and/or soffit made from durable material such as fiber cement, aluminum, etc. (vinyl not accepted). 1 pt each. |
| 2.3.12 |
Install durable flooring (e.g., laminate, finished concrete, tile, hardwood, vinyl planking, etc.) in all high traffic areas (halls, kitchen, living space) (1 point); more than 30% of all indoor flooring (2 points); more than 60% of all indoor flooring (3 points); or more than 90% of all indoor flooring (4 points). |
| 3.1.1 |
Install air filtration on all air handling systems: (i) pleated media filter with minimum MERV rating of 8 - 11 (1 point) or 12 - 16 (2 points); OR (ii) an electrostatic air cleaner (2 points); OR (iii) an electronic air cleaner (3 points); OR (iv) a HEPA filtration system (6 points). |
|
3.2.1 |
All combustion space and water heating equipment located within building are sealed with no possibility of backdraft. Or no combustion equipment located within the residential sector. |
| 3.2.21 |
Carpet-free design: all flooring surfaces are hard (including stairs). Units for 1 point and whole building for additional 1 point. |
| 5.2 |
Implement a recycling program: collection of waste materials from site by a waste management company that is a current member of a provincial recycling council or equivalent association that has a recycling component to its charter and verifies that a minimum of 25% of the materials collected from the construction site have been recycled. |
| 5.6 |
Onsite gravel crusher to reduce vehicle miles. Crusher must be sensitive to neighbouring properties. |
| 6.1.2 |
Install ultra-efficient toilets with average per unit flow rates less than or equal to 3L/flush (0.8 GPF) for 2 points each (up to 6 points). Average flow rates for the entire building. |
| 6.1.3 |
Install efficient toilets, or dual-flush toilets, with average flow rates less than or equal to 4.8L/flush (1.28 GPF) for 1 point each (up to 3 points). Average flow rates for the entire building. |
| 6.2.4 |
Landscape design includes native / drought tolerant plants and then add 50% one point 90% 2 pts |
| 7.1.8 |
50% (2 points) or 100% (4 points) of electricity used by occupants during first year of occupancy is generated by wind power or an equivalent renewable energy supply (prepaid by builder). Builder has renewable energy certificates of 50% of the estimated energy consumption for the year, etc. based on engineer’s report. |
| 7.3.4 |
Contracted trades, suppliers, and/or supporting design professionals have successfully taken and maintained BUILT GREEN® Training: Program Fundamentals, Construction Technology for BUILT GREEN®, BUILT GREEN® Net Zero Energy for New Construction, and other related training focused on sustainable building practices. BUILT GREEN® training must be updated every two years. (1 point per trade organization—maximum 5). |
| 7.3.5 |
Builder's site superintendent has successfully taken and maintained BUILT GREEN® Training: Program Fundamentals (1 point) Construction Technology for BUILT GREEN®, BUILT GREEN® Net Zero Energy for New Construction, and other related training focused on sustainable building practices (2 additional points). BUILT GREEN® training must be updated every two years. |
| 8.1.2 |
Builder's environmental policy includes and prioritizes milestones for future net zero energy housing developments. |
| 8.1.12 |
The builder integrates innovative sustainable building practices above and beyond what is contained within the checklist section and provides supporting documentation. The innovation must apply to the project and will be reviewed by the Technical Standards Committee at the time of submission. |