A method for life cycle cost analysis for the new energy code for houses.

The Canadian Code for Energy Efficiency in New Houses will feature prescribed thermal characteristics of the envelope components of houses. These will be selected primarily on the basis of life cycle cost. A new method was developed to perform the life cycle cost evaluations of energy efficiency options for walls, roofs, windows and basement walls, based on their performance within the energy system of a house. Existing analytic techniques were adapted to perform the energy analysis and life cycle cost calculations. The new procedure allows for regional variations in energy rates, type of heating fuel, economic assumptions and environmental cost multipliers. A prototypical spreadsheet has been developed to perform trial calculations and illustrate typical results. This analytic tool, when approved by the Standing Committee on Energy Conservation in Buildings, will be submitted to the provinces along with the model energy code. The procedure is intended to be used by provincial authorities as a basis for selection of prescriptive values in the Code.