Every new home in BC is built to a numbered energy 'step' — and that number quietly decides your comfort, your utility bills and your resale story for the next fifty years. Here's the whole system in plain language.
The staircase, explained
The Step Code doesn't tell builders how to build — it tests the finished house. Airtightness, insulation, windows and mechanical systems can be traded against each other, as long as the blower-door and energy model hit the step's targets. Most Metro Vancouver municipalities now require Step 3 or higher for new homes, and Vancouver pairs it with low-carbon heating requirements — which in practice means heat pumps.
What each step feels like to live in
| Step | What changes | What you notice |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Code-minimum envelope | Drafts near windows, uneven rooms, higher bills |
| 3 | Better insulation & airtightness | Quieter, steadier temperatures, lower bills |
| 4 | High-performance windows, thick envelope | Rooms hold temperature for hours; HVAC barely runs |
| 5 | Net-zero-ready envelope | Add solar and the home can produce what it uses |
We'll model the step options and payback for your build in the feasibility review — free, no obligation.
✱ Representative planning figures for Metro Vancouver, mid-2026 — assembled from municipal permitting schedules, the BC Energy Step Code framework and Armacan project records. Every lot and scope is different: treat these as orientation, not a quote, and confirm against your property in a free consultation.
