SBC is pleased to release its latest Guide for undertaking Existing Building Design Workshops and related Energy Modelling Requirements.  This report will shortly be followed by a thermal bridging analysis Guide focusing on existing buildings.  SBC encourages the use of the integrated design process as a way of maximizing the potential energy savings and GHG emissions reductions for a major retrofit project.  Intrinsic in this approach is the use of sophisticated energy modelling approaches as described in the Guide.

Read SBC’s Full Deep Energy Retrofits (DER) Guide Here

SBC has initiated an effort to collect information about Deep Energy Retrofits (DER), focusing on the commercial, institutional and multi-residential sectors.  This effort aims to create an open-source catalog of DER projects that can be shared with interested stakeholders through our website.  Users can submit their project information in PDF format through our on-line portal. SBC will review the submission to ensure it contains an appropriate level of detail and meets our definition of a DER.

What constitutes a DER?

After a review of industry definitions, SBC is choosing to use the following “hybrid” definition:

Approximately 50% reduction in energy use and where the retrofit includes envelope upgrades (either opaque areas and windows or both). It is recognized that achieving 50% may not be possible for some applications and SBC will use its own judgement to determine if projects qualify as DER.

Why envelope improvements? 

After a review of the literature, it is apparent that achieving significant reductions in energy use in existing buildings can only be possible when the envelope is upgraded.  Moreover, SBC believes that saving space heating load is particularly important as most buildings in Canada are heated with carbon-based fuels – natural gas, fuel oil and propane.  For Canada to achieve its GHG emissions reduction targets, reducing the use of these fuels is particularly important.  Finally, we are great supporters of the integrated design process as a way of maximizing energy performance as a holistic activity and feel that this process can be applied to existing building retrofit opportunities.

If you would like to learn more about submission requirements, or to submit your DER project, do so below!

Deep Energy Retrofits (DER) Project Submission Form

Our intent is to provide a degree of rigour to the reporting; however, we will not be undertaking any verification activities. We encourage users to ensure their submissions are accurate and reflect the best available information.

Learn more about SBC’s initiative here!