Building a new home in British Columbia means working under some of the most forward-looking energy standards in Canada. These requirements are designed to push construction toward Net Zero by 2032, setting the stage for builders to deliver houses that are durable, efficient and built to last. For many developers, the partner helping them meet these standards is Capital Home Energy, a full-service energy design firm.
Founded in 2008 by Luke Dolan, one of only a dozen Master Energy Advisors in Canada, Capital Home Energy has established itself as a trusted name in building science. With a team of senior energy advisors and decades of combined construction experience, the company helps developers navigate the B.C. Energy Step Code and the Vancouver Building Bylaw with confidence.
“We know what works. We know what doesn’t work,” Dolan says. “We’re able to help our clients with whatever their needs might be. If it’s to meet building code requirements cost-effectively, we specialize in helping them meet their budgets while meeting some of the strict energy codes that we have in B.C.”
In B.C., every new home must undergo energy modelling before a building permit is approved. Dolan’s team handles this critical early step. Capital Home Energy evaluates everything from insulation values and window performance to heating, cooling and hot water systems. They also guide developers through the Zero Carbon Step Code, which sets limits on greenhouse gas emissions from new homes. “Our job is to help them quickly get that house permitted so they can start building it,” Dolan says.
Capital Home Energy remains involved long after permits are issued. The team conducts site visits, blower door testing, and airtightness verification, which are core components of Step Code compliance and are required by many jurisdictions.
“You can’t build a drafty house anymore,” Dolan says. “We make sure homes are airtight and on track to meet targets so they pass inspection before occupancy.”
They also assist with mechanical design, calculating the proper sizes of heating and cooling systems, and ensuring airtight homes have balanced ventilation. “Fresh air has to be constantly coming in, while stale air is pulled out,” Dolan explains. This focus on airtightness and ventilation helps builders deliver houses that are not only energy-efficient but also comfortable, durable and healthy for the people who live in them.
Why developers trust Capital Home Energy
For builders, the benefits extend beyond compliance. Dolan explains that his team takes a flexible approach, often using early-stage virtual meetings to work through potential challenges before construction begins. This integrated design process helps eliminate costly surprises later on.
“They’re going to save money on their project,” he says. “We help them anticipate and address potential problems that could slow them down.”
Capital Home Energy can also model different scenarios for windows, insulation and other components, giving builders options that balance performance with budget. This approach helps projects stay on track with code requirements while still delivering high-performance homes.
That experience resonates with developer Mike Van Capelle, vice president of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Sea to Sky and principal of design-build firm Bluewater Concepts. He has worked with Capital Home Energy for more than six years.
“One of the main reasons that we like working with them specifically is quick turnaround and good communication,” Van Capelle says. “If we send them a project we need a proposal for, they’ll get a proposal back to us within a few days. If we need a report or we need something adjusted, they’re very, very quick to do that, and they have the capacity to move projects along quickly, which is appreciated.”
B.C. construction projects setting a high standard
Capital Home Energy’s expertise has supported award-nominated work. Bluewater Concepts’ Net Zero cabin on Gambier Island was nominated for both a Canadian Home Builders’ Association National Award and a Georgie Award.
In Squamish, the company also worked with Diamond Head Development on Finch Drive, a Net Zero project Dolan described as “one of a kind,” as well as Sky Ridge, which was certified Built Green.
“It’s a great professional team to work with,” Van Capelle says. “I would say that one of the biggest benefits is that they’ve been around a long time, they understand the industry really well, and they’re very efficient at what they do.”
Dolan believes B.C. is setting the pace for the rest of the country.
“In British Columbia itself, we are hands down five years ahead of the rest of the country when it comes to high-performance homes,” he says. “We’re doing stuff in B.C. that, arguably, the rest of North America is looking at; we’re leaders across the country.”
Dolan’s message on energy efficiency is simple: “At the end of the day, we just want to use less of whatever you’re using. It doesn’t matter if it’s gas, wood or electricity.”
Get a free consult with Capital Home Energy.
From pre-permit modelling to final airtightness testing, Capital Home Energy helps developers take the stress out of meeting B.C.’s evolving building codes. The result is homes that are comfortable, durable, healthy and efficient.
To learn more, visit capitalhomeenergy.ca or contact Luke Dolan and his team directly for a free consultation on your next project.
