HAVAN

Course overview: 

This in-person session kicks off the 2026 Building Better Series and is built for builders who want a clear, practical outlook on what is changing this year. It focuses on the code updates, policy shifts, and technical requirements that will shape residential construction in 2026.

We will cover changes to Energy and Zero Carbon requirements, updates to the 19% incentive in the City of Vancouver, and system-level updates such as electrical servicing for multiplex projects and seismic requirements.

On August 14, Homebuilders Association Vancouver (HAVAN) is hosting a site tour of a high-performance prefab home on West 20th in Vancouver. This is your chance to see how prefab meets custom design, low-carbon goals, and real-world build constraints.

HAVAN member$59.00

 Non-Member$89.00

 Student Rate$30.00

What could be worse than renovating or building a house only to find out at the last minute, the electrical service will not meet the demands of the equipment in the home? In an ever-growing need for electrification of building and transportation infrastructure, navigating the technical side of these challenges has become more important than ever.

HAVAN and FortisBC are presenting a highly anticipated in-person workshop, Communicating the Value of the Energy Efficiency Elements of High Performance Homes with Gord Cooke.  It is in the process of being approved for 5.5 CPDs with BC Housing.

This session will empower builders with the communication skills to be able present the increased value of the BC Building Code Energy Step Code Three, and to encourage homeowners to opt for the even better performance of Steps Four and Five. 

HAVAN's September 28 Builders’ Breakfast webinar will feature James Lota, General Manager Lands and Facilities at the City of Burnaby, Kevin Ramlu, Building Energy Manager at Township of Langley, and Chris Higgins, Senior Green Building Planner at City of Vancouver to discuss their municipalities’ different approaches towards climate technologies, Step Code/Embodied Carbon/GHG requirements, and electrification.

Zoom link will be sent with the registration confirmation email.

Based on several examples and case studies, this whole-day workshop will explain the differences between a “high performance” and “energy efficient” building and will familiarize participants with the concept of holistic approach towards building envelope energy efficiency. It would be demonstrated that embracing such holistic approach would be essential as the industry aims for higher levels of energy efficiency.

A high-performance building satisfies a wide range of key performance criteria, with energy efficiency being one of those. However, the opposite is not always the case, meaning an energy efficient building is not necessarily a high-performance building. 

The Energy Step Code takes building to the next level this year, with Step 3 becoming the minimum level of building across B.C. Although many municipalities are advancing up the Steps faster than originally mapped out, the Step Code is a performance pathway so builders have to find the design and building strategies, trades, and mechanical systems to meet the metrics. Having the right foundation will help builders move ahead to higher Step Code levels.