Prescriptive Path
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Pros & Cons: Simplest but inflexible; can be costly
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Key Rules:
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Triple-glazed windows
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No gas heating/hot water (fireplaces exempt)
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Air leakage test & energy model by Energy Advisor
Large Homes (>3,500 sq. ft.) Must demonstrate a greenhouse gas footprint equal to or less than a 3,500 sq. ft. home via EnerGuide calculations.
Performance Path
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Advantage: Offers design flexibility (e.g., allows double-glazed windows), which can lower costs.
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Compliance: Must hit specific TEDI, MEUI, and GHGI targets.
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Process: Requires an air leakage test and energy model by a Registered Energy Advisor.
Note on Gas systems: Gas-fired heating and hot water are allowed in the code, but in practice, they are rarely feasible for meeting the stringent GHGI and MEUI targets.
Passive House
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Standard: Requires full Passive House certification via third-party verification.
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Performance: Exceeds 2022 VBBL prescriptive requirements.
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Considerations: Typically the most expensive path, may limit product selection, and requires both a Passive House Consultant and a separate Certifier
Note: Gas-fired appliances are allowed under this performance-based approach.