Energy Efficiency Act

MEM INFORMATION BULLETIN - June 2019 REVISED
B.C. ENERGY EFFICIENCY REGULATIONS FOR: Windows, Glazing, Doors, Skylights

The purpose of this regulation is to improve the energy efficiency of manufactured fenestration products for all new and existing buildings. These products are a key component of a building’s exterior envelope that affects the energy usage required to heat and/or cool the conditioned space. Improved energy efficiency can reduce energy cost for homeowners and businesses and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

This circular includes updates to the Energy Efficiency Standards Regulation (EESR) for windows, glazing, doors and skylights that were approved March 6, 2018.

Information on the EESR and the Act can be found at: BC Energy Efficiency Act and Standards Regulations

This information circular is intended to help stakeholders understand the current requirements. It is organized according to the following 3 product types:

1. Windows, glazing and sliding glass doors for low-rise buildings:

4 storeys or less for residential
600m2 or less for non-residential and skylights for all buildings

2. Glazing for installation in manufactured door slabs, side lites and transom lites
3. Door slabs

Following the descriptions for the four product types, information is provided on labeling, testing and a flexibility provision for windows designed for a specific building.

1. Windows, glazing and sliding glass doors for low-rise buildings and skylights for all buildings Scope

Applies to all products that are manufactured on or after the effective date (see below) for the product. This includes products being installed by builders.
Applies to products that separate heated space from non-heated space.
Applies to new and existing residential buildings that are 4 storeys or less and non-residential buildings with equal to or less than 600m2 of floor space.
Applies to all “Part 9” buildings in the B.C. Building Code and some additional residential buildings that are 4 storeys.

Test standards

All products must be tested with one of the following standards:
CSA A440.2-14, Energy performance of windows and other fenestration systems
NFRC 100-2014, Procedure for determining fenestration U-values

Minimum energy efficiency standards and effective dates

The following maximum heat transfer rate (U-value) performance standards apply, in metric units of watts per square meter of product area Kelvin.

Exemptions

Decorative windows that have stained glass panels, iron inserts or blinds, contained in a sealed, insulating glass unit.
Windows installed in buildings designated as heritage buildings.
Glazing replacements in an existing sash and frame provided the U-value of the replacement glazing is equal to or less than the U-value of the original glazing.
Products installed in buildings that are compliant with ASHRAE 189.1, ASHRAE 90.1 or the National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB).
Products manufactured specifically for export from BC.

2. Glazing for installation in manufactured door slabs, side lites and transom lites

Scope

Applies to all products that are manufactured on or after the effective date (see below) of the product.
Applies to products that separate heated space from non-heated space.

Test standards

The standards are prescriptive – therefore no test procedure is required.

Minimum energy efficiency standards and effective dates

The following prescriptive standards apply.

Exemptions

Products installed in hung door assemblies that have a maximum U-value of 1.80 W/m2/K, tested with NRFC 100-2014.
Decorative glazing that have stained glass panels, iron inserts or blinds, contained in a sealed, insulating glass unit.
Products installed in buildings designated as heritage buildings.i
Products installed in buildings that are compliant with ASHRAE 189.1, ASHRAE 90.1 or the National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB).
Products manufactured specifically for export from BC.

3. Door slabs

Scope

Applies to all products that are manufactured on or after the effective date (see below) of the product.
Applies to products that separate heated space from non-heated space.

Minimum energy efficiency standards and effective dates

Doors must comply with one of the following.

Exemptions

Solid wood door slabs.
Products installed in buildings designated as heritage buildings.
Door slabs installed in buildings that are compliant with ASHRAE 189.1, ASHRAE 90.1 or the National Energy Code for Buildings.
Products manufactured specifically for export from BC.

Solid wood door slabs.
Products installed in buildings designated as heritage buildings. **
All ENERGY STAR® for Canada qualified doors.
Doors slabs in pre-hung door assemblies with a maximum U-value of 2.0 W/m2 x K, tested and certified with NFRC 100-2004 or 2010; procedure for determining fenestration product U-values.
Door slabs installed in buildings that are compliant with ASHRAE 90.1 (2004, 2007 or 2010) Energy standard for buildings except low-rise residential buildings.

Labeling for all products

Permanent labels

Permanent labels are required for all products.
They must have the registered trademark, word mark or symbol of the certification organization or other tester designated to test under the Energy Efficiency Act.
For windows, glazing for doors, skylights and transoms, the permanent label must:
- be affixed to the frame or a spacer bar of the product so that the label is
  visible at all times; or,
- be affixed to the frame or a spacer bar of the product so that the label is
  visible at all times; or,
- be affixed as a transparent adhesive label to the glass of the product; or,
- be etched into the surface of the glass.
For door slabs, the permanent label must:
- be affixed to the door slab so that the label is visible at all times; or,
- be affixed to the edge of the door slab so that the label is visible when
  the door slab is open.

Temporary labels

All windows, glazing, skylights and sliding glass doors require a temporary (removable) label.
Glazing for door slabs, transoms and door slabs do not require a removable label.
The label must set out the U-value, as verified by a certification organization or other designated tester under the Energy Efficiency Act, expressed in metric units.
For combination or composite products the label must either show the overall U value for that composite window or the individual U value for each operator type.

Testing agencies for all products

The following agencies can certify the U-value of products for the purpose of this regulation:

Canadian Standards Association (CSA) International, Toronto, ON, Damtew Tesfaye, 416-747-2509 www.csa-international.org
Intertek Testing Services NA Ltd., Coquitlam, B.C., 604-520-3321 www.intertek-etlsemko.com
Quality Auditing Institute Ltd., Port Moody, B.C., 604 461-8378, www.qai.org
LabTest Certification Inc., Delta BC, 604 247-0444, www.labtest.com
Agencies accredited by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), Greenbelt, MD, http://nfrc.org/. These agencies include: WDMA, NAMI, Keystone and AAMA.
Professional engineers, registered with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia and architects authorized to practice in British Columbia. Only for the products described below.

Flexibility provision for windows and glazing designed for a specific building

Flexibility is provided for windows, skylights and sliding glass doors (excluding doors) for low-rise and high-rise buildings that are designed for a specific building or fall outside of the scope of existing certification programs.
Some products may be permitted that do not meet the maximum U-value requirements noted above (e.g., 1.80 W/(m2∙K)).
Instead, proof must be provided by a professional engineer or architect that all products in the specific building meet the U-value requirement on average.
The professional must use the test standards to verify the average performance – CSA A440.2 or NFRC 100.
Also, the products can be simulated or tested by the professional using the actual size of the product, not necessarily the size provided by the test standard.
The Ministry does not require routine submission of proof of compliance for these products, but during enforcement may require a letter of assurance from the professional.

** “designated heritage building” means a building that is
(a) a provincial heritage site within the meaning of the Heritage Conservation Act or otherwise included in the Provincial heritage register under that Act,
(b) protected through heritage designation or included in a community heritage register by a local government under the Local Government Act,
(c) protected through heritage designation or included in the heritage register by the Council under the Vancouver Charter, or
(d) protected through heritage designation or included in a community heritage register by the Trust Council or a local trust committee under the Islands Trust Act

BC Energy Efficiency Act and Standards regulation

Energy Efficiency Branch , Electricity and Alternative Energy Division,
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
PO Box 9314, Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, B.C., V8W 9N1
energy.efficiency@gov.bc.ca

Energy Efficiency Act

MEM INFORMATION BULLETIN - June 2019 REVISED B.C. ENERGY EFFICIENCY REGULATIONS FOR: Windows, Glazing, Doors, Skylights

1. Windows, glazing and sliding glass doors for low-rise buildings:

2. Glazing for installation in manufactured door slabs, side lites and transom lites 3. Door slabs

1. Windows, glazing and sliding glass doors for low-rise buildings and skylights for all buildings Scope

2. Glazing for installation in manufactured door slabs, side lites and transom lites

3. Door slabs

Labeling for all products

BC Energy Efficiency Act and Standards regulation

MEM INFORMATION BULLETIN - June 2019 REVISED
B.C. ENERGY EFFICIENCY REGULATIONS FOR: Windows, Glazing, Doors, Skylights

2. Glazing for installation in manufactured door slabs, side lites and transom lites
3. Door slabs