
1. Program Overview
1.1 Purpose and Scope
Over the next 16 years, the energy performance of buildings is expected to increase to meet the Province’s Climate Leadership Plan target to achieve net-zero energy buildings by 2032. A key component of this market transformation will be a ready supply of high performance windows. The costs associated with creating new product lines that exceed current BC energy efficiency requirements, including lab testing and certification, are a barrier to the introduction of high performance windows into the market. The High Performance Window Certification program (Program) aims to address this market barrier and stimulate BC manufacturers to develop new designs and manufacturing processes that will lead to cost-effective, marketable, high performance windows being built in British Columbia. These new designs will in turn help BC residents and businesses to maximize the energy performance of their homes and buildings.
1.2 Energy Performance Levels
The Program will incentivize manufacturers to test and certify a new window product or product line to two different performance levels: the Canadian ENERGY STAR Most Efficient designation or to the Passive House Institute (PHI) Certifiable Component criteria
Information on the two standards can be found here:
ENERGY STAR Most Efficient: http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/pml-lmp/index.cfm?action=app.search-recherche&appliance=WINDOWS
Passive House: http://passiv.de/downloads/03_certification_criteria_transparent_components_en.pdf
For details on program eligibility requirements, see Section 2.
Funding for the Program is provided through the Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund. Established in 2007, the ICE Fund is designed to support the province’s energy, economic, environmental and greenhouse gas reduction priorities and advance BC’s clean energy sector.
The Program was designed in accordance with, and to advance, the goals and objectives of the: Ministry of Energy and Mine’s 2017/18 – 2019/20 Service Plan, Climate Leadership Plan and the BC Jobs Plan.
1.3 Amount of Contribution
The following funding is available on a first come, first served basis for accepted projects per proponent through March 30, 2020:
Proponents can receive up to two awards during the term of the Program. However, a new and different product line is rquired for each award.
1.4 Summary of Process
All Program funding will be administered via the Fenestration Association of British Columbia (FENBC).
Program applications are made using forms provided by FENBC, and supplying required materials to demonstrate thermal performance certification by either Natural Resources Canada (ENERGY STAR) or the Passive House Institute, along with either CSA 440.2 or NFRC 100 testing results and NAFS testing results from a Standards Council of Canada (SCC) accredited testing lab .
2. Eligibility
2.1 Eligible Applicants
The following are eligible applicants:
The manufacturer or consortium of manufacturers must weach have manufacturing facilities located in BC that as of March 6, 2017 are fabricating windows, at which hardware and glass are installed.
2.2 Eligible Projects
Eligible projects encompass a new window product line that as of March 6, 2017 or after is:
For the purpose of this program, a product line shall have a minimum of two individual unit products: an operable product and a fixed glass product that can be mulled together to produce a combination product, or that can be divided with mullions to allow fixed and operable units to be offered in a common frame. Product lines sharing framing designs having identical external boundary profiles in cross section view but differing in internal components or geometry shall be considered as separate product lines.
To qualify for an award, a minimum of one fixed and one operable product that can be mulled together shall be tested and certified to either the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient or the Passive House Certified Component performance level, and the NAFS standard (see note).
Note: The NAFS testing of hinged or projecting product lines must qualify the fixed and operable products mulled togther side by side at NAFS gateway sizes as a combination assembly product, or as a composite unit product. The NAFS testing of sliding sash product lines may qualify the fixed and operable products as two separate individual units, one containing a sliding sash, the other a fixed unit.
2.3 Ineligible Projects
A project will be considered ineligible where:
3. Application
3.1 How to Apply
Each window manufacturer or consortium is allowed to submit only two applications during the termn of the program.
Step 1: Pursue the testing and certification of the new window product or product line as per eligibility requirements and receive all documentation demonstrating that the product(s) have achieved Program requirements.
Step 2: Download or otherwise obtain the Program Application Form from FENBC.
Step 3: Complete the Application Form as a fillable .pdf.
Step 4: Save the completed Application Form with the following filename format using the applicant’s name, HPWCP (acronym of the Program) and date completed (yymmdd).
For example: CompanyName_HPWCP_161030.pdf.
Step 5: Prepare supporting documentation that will be submitted with the Application Form (see Section 3.2).
Step 6: Email the completed Application Form and any supporting documentation to FENBC at: HPWCP@fen-bc.org
Closing Date for Application to HPWCP:
All completed applications and supporting documentation can be submitted to HPWCP@fen-bc.org any time before 5:00pm, Pacific Daylight Time, Friday, March 30, 2020 (subject to available funds) in order to be considered.
Notes:
3.2 Application Guidelines
When preparing applications, please refer to Table 1 below for the guidelines on submitting information and supporting documentation to address the Evaluation Criteria. The supporting documents listed are examples; proponents may submit additional or alternative documentation.
NOTE: When attaching supporting documentation, please ensure that the text in the Application Form highlights the relevant points and references the page / sections in the supporting materials where this information can be found. If Fen-BC cannot easily identify or find relevant information in the supporting documentation pursuant to the eligibility requirements, an application may not be accepted.
Table 1: Guidelines for Submissions
Criteria |
Example Supporting Documentation |
Demonstrate with certified third-party documentation that the window product or product line has met the required criteria of either: 1. Certified as ENERGY STAR - Most Efficient. 2. Certified by the Passive House Institue |
|
Examples of documention:
Passive House Institute (PHI) Certification Contract
Report - Certified Passive House Component
Example - Passive House Institute (PHI) Certificate
3.3 Approval of Applications
It is anticipated that successful proponents will receive notification of approved project funding within 45 days of submitting their application, including notification of whether the project has been approved.
Contributions are project-specific and may not be transferred from an approved application to a new proposal.
4. Contact Information
Zana Gordon
Executive Director, Fenestration Association of BC
HPWCP@fen-bc.org