Energy Efficiency and Energy Code for Buildings

The National Energy Code for Buildings 2017 and Energy Efficiency requirements of Section 9.36 of National Building Code-2019 Alberta Edition have been introduced by the Government of Alberta as part of the greenhouse gas emission reduction strategy.

These codes are the minimum standard for construction since December 1, 2019.

National Building Code-Alberta Edition 9.36 (NBC(AE) 9.36)

Energy Efficiency includes requirements affecting building envelope, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), and service water heating.

These are intended to address:

  • Air leakage
  • Uncontrolled thermal transfer
  • Unnecessary energy demand or consumption for heating and cooling, service water heating, and electrical equipment and devices
  • Inefficiency of equipment and systems
  • Unnecessary rejection of reusable waste energy

The same provincially-trained and certified Safety Codes Officers who issue building permits and inspect construction also administer the new Energy Codes.

There are three possible paths to achieve the energy efficiency requirements:

  • Prescriptive Path
  • Prescriptive with Trade-Off Path
  • Performance Path

Overview of the NBC(AE) 9.36 Compliance Paths

Learn more about the three paths in the  NBC(AE) 9.36 Energy Efficiency Requirements Guide

Overview of the Application and Inspection Criteria

Required Documents

NBC(AE) 9.36 Prescriptive Path Summary and Checklist NBC(AE) 9.36 Energy Efficiency Requirements Guide

NBC(AE) 9.36 Energy Efficiency Tradeoff Calculator

NBC(AE) 9.36 Performance Path Summary and Checklist

Other Documents

NBC(AE) 9.36 Letter of Assurance No PI 

Inspections

NBC(AE) 9.36 Construction Deviation Guidelines

NBC(AE) 9.36 Standards for Existing Building

National Energy Code for Buildings 2017 (NECB 2017)

The National Energy Code for Buildings 2017 (NECB 2017) has been adopted as Alberta’s minimum construction standard for energy efficiency of residential and commercial spaces of a certain size and type and components in new buildings and additions.

Components covered in NECB 2017 are:

  • Building Envelope - windows, walls and doors
  • Lighting
  • Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems
  • Service Water Heating
  • Electrical Motors

Any Part 3 building must be built to NECB 2017, which offers three compliance paths to choose from:

  • Prescriptive Path
  • Prescriptive Path with Trade-Offs 
  • Performance Path

Overview of NECB 2017 Compliance Paths

Learn more about the three paths in the NECB 2017 Energy Efficiency Requirements Guide.

Building Edmonton Newsletter

Stay connected and get the latest Development and Safety Codes, Permits and Inspections policy and process updates sent right to your inbox.