Abstract

Energy-efficiency requirements defined by building codes have recently been updated in Canada to improve the energy performance of new homes. In this context, this paper proposes two methodologies that minimize the cost impact of updated building codes on current housing construction practices (i.e., (1) least additional construction cost (LACC) upgrades for building envelope to meet code-specified thermal resistance values (RSIcode), and (2) upgrade(s) which incur the LACC and meet code-specified energy consumption (ECcode)). To develop and demonstrate the proposed methodologies, a new single-family detached house in the city of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, was used as a case study. The impacts of an energy code (i.e., the Alberta Building Code (ABC) 2014) on new housing are assessed in terms of total additional construction cost (T-Delta(CC)), energy consumption (EC), and operational cost (OP). The results indicate that the T(Delta)(CC )required to comply with the ABC 2014 and the energy performance (EP) of housing in Edmonton vary significantly depending on the code-compliance approach. Applying the proposed methodologies, LACC code-compliant upgrades can be effectively identified for other building locations.