Validation of New Building Designs

As part of the ecoENERGY Efficiency Initiative, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) offers a free service that validates the energy performance level of your building design. Energy-efficient buildings are better for the environment with increased comfort, lower operating costs and higher resale values.

Eligible Projects

NRCan validates the designs of new buildings, building additions and major renovations in the commercial, institutional and government sectors. Eligible buildings also include multi-unit residential buildings with at least four storeys or a footprint of at least 600 square metres and a common entrance.

Benefits of Validation

• You can obtain free modelling software from NRCan (EE4 and EE Wizard for Arenas) and up to eight hours of third-party technical support per project. Training on EE4 is also available.
• You receive a detailed report, prepared by a third party, which documents the energy efficiency features of your building. The report certifies that the design meets all mandatory requirements of the Model National Energy Code for Buildings (MNECB) and is at least 25 percent more energy efficient than the MNECB reference building.
• Your report can help you qualify for LEED^® certification, meet local requirements and obtain financial incentives from utilities and other funding sources.

Key Steps