The following has been adopted/incorporated into the NBC(AE):
- The airtightness used in the energy code calculations for the proposed house would comply with Clause 9.36.5.10.(9)(a) or 9.36.5.10.(9)(b).
- The use of a single air change per house (ACH) of 2.5 provides consistency in the application of the code requirements, instead of a two-level system for ACH for houses.
The following is not applicable for Tier 1 of the NBC(AE):
- Peak cooling load requirements of 9.36.7
- This method would be used when calculating energy performance improvement compliance for the higher tiers and applying the same equipment and loads from Tier 1 to higher tiers.
For the NBC(AE), Subsections 9.36.2 to 9.36.4 Prescriptive Path and 9.36.5 Performance Path are deemed as the minimum for compliance with Alberta’s Tier 1.
Sentence 9.36.1.3.(2) of Alberta’s code edition is important to note, as the higher tiers referenced in accordance with Subsection 9.36.7 or 9.36.8 are optional. The Appendix note for Sentence 9.36.1.3.(2) explains that while the higher levels of tier code are presented, they are not enforceable under the Safety Codes Act.
Alberta specific changes in Section 9.36 have been implemented to improve and smooth the application of the move to energy tiers:
- In Article 9.36.2.7, window U-values have been slightly increased (made easier).
- In Article 9.36.3.10, equipment performance standards and references have been updated (HSPF2, SEER2, UEF) to align with US suppliers and expand product accessibility.
- Use of 2.5 ACH for houses in prescriptive or modeling application.
