National baseline
The National Energy Code for Buildings sets prescriptive insulation values by climate zone and building type. This is the starting reference for thermal performance requirements.
Canadian building code question
What insulation and energy code requirements apply to buildings in Canada?
Insulation and energy performance requirements are set by the National Energy Code for Buildings or the applicable provincial energy code, and depend on the building's climate zone, building type, and compliance path. The requirements cover wall, roof, and foundation insulation values, air barrier performance, and overall building envelope thermal targets.
Energy code requirements for insulation and thermal performance are among the fastest-changing areas of Canadian building regulation. The applicable standard depends on which energy code the province has adopted, the building's climate zone, and whether the project uses a prescriptive, trade-off, or performance compliance path. The safest approach is to confirm the applicable energy code and climate zone first, then verify the insulation values and envelope requirements.
What to check first
- Climate zone is the primary variable — insulation values increase significantly from warmer to colder climate zones.
- The compliance path matters because prescriptive, trade-off, and performance paths can produce different insulation requirements for the same building.
- Provincial adoption timing is critical because provinces adopt different editions of the energy code on different schedules.
Jurisdiction notes
Province and energy code edition
Confirm which edition of the energy code the province has adopted, as insulation values and compliance options differ between editions. Some provinces use step code or tiered performance frameworks.
Project-specific variables
Climate zone, building type, compliance path, building envelope design, and whether the project uses step code or passive house targets can all change the required insulation values.
Work through it in this order
- Confirm the building's climate zone and the energy code edition adopted by the province.
- Identify the compliance path — prescriptive, trade-off, or performance — being used for the project.
- Review the applicable insulation values for walls, roof, foundation, and fenestration based on climate zone and compliance path.
- Verify air barrier, thermal bridging, and continuity requirements that accompany the insulation values.
Common questions
Is the energy code the same across all provinces?
No. Provinces adopt different editions of the National Energy Code on different schedules, and some use provincial energy codes or step code frameworks that differ from the national model.
What is a step code?
A step code is a tiered performance framework that sets progressively higher energy performance targets. BC's Energy Step Code is the most established example in Canada.
Do renovations need to meet the current energy code?
It depends on the scope of work and provincial adoption. Major renovations and building envelope alterations may trigger energy code requirements for the affected assemblies.