The Lio & Associates team was selected to conduct the preliminary follow-up study for the energy efficiency requirements in the 2017 Ontario Building Code. Six distinct energy efficiency levels that achieve energy efficiency performance beyond those offered by EnerGuide 80 (ERS80) as found in SB-12 were evaluated and a total of 75 alternative conservation packages were developed.

Four of the energy efficiency levels were identified as options for consideration: 10%, 15%, 20% (ERS81), and 25% (ERS82). The 56 conservation packages implied by these four levels were further analyzed for cost effectiveness.  The capital cost borne by the homebuyer for every upgraded envelope component and mechanical appliance within each package was updated from the previous study.  Using these costs and the energy savings calculated by HOT2000, a life cycle analysis for the 56 conservation packages was conducted.

A macroeconomic study was completed to capture the economic impact of the proposed conservation levels and their energy efficiency upgrades on the building industry. The 15% conservation level showed an estimated economic impact on the residential building. A 10 year forecast of the cumulative savings in energy and greenhouse gas emissions was developed for three of the conservation levels: 10%, 15%, and 20%.

In late 2013, the Ministry published the sample 2017 prescriptive energy efficiency packages developed in this study in the new 2012 Ontario Building Code.