By Bruce MacKinnon

The Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA) reports that the original 2006 Ontario Building Code “roadmap” for energy efficiency was updated and put into effect at the beginning of 2012.

Houses and other residential buildings intended for occupancy on a continuing basis during winter months must meet the performance level of 80 or more on the EnerGuide80 scale.

Other larger residential and commercial buildings must conform to the Standard SB-10 update. The energy efficiency of these new buildings must be 25 per cent greater than the previous 1997 Model National Energy Guide for Buildings. However, numerous new pathways to achieve these efficiencies are provided, including a building envelope trade-off option.

Other such concessions allowing exceptions to the MNECB code include: heritage buildings, any space which uses less than 12W/m2 under peak conditions, temporary structures, unheated storage garages and warehouses and storage rooms where indoor temperatures done get above 10 C