Wireframe note: This is the entry point. User picks role first — language adapts throughout. Then picks residential vs commercial.
Step 1 of 6
Let's get started
Tell us a bit about who you are and what you're building. We'll tailor the tool to your situation.
👤 What best describes your role?
Builder / Developer
Designer / Architect
Engineer
Building Official
🏠 What type of building are you working on?
Residential
Houses, semi-detached, row houses, small multi-unit residential. NBC 2025 Part 9.
Commercial
Office, retail, institutional, industrial. National Energy Code 2025 (NECB).
Interior volume of heated/cooled space. How to calculate ↗
Building includes an HRV or ERV (heat recovery ventilator)
An HRV or ERV is required to achieve any tier under the tiered prescriptive path. If your building doesn't include one, you won't be able to earn conservation points.
Wireframe note: City dropdown auto-fills HDD and zone. Map highlights the zone in colour. Manual HDD entry for unlisted locations.
Step 2 of 6
Where is the building located?
Your climate zone determines which code values apply. Manitoba has three zones based on heating degree-days.
Don't see your location? Enter HDD manually
[ Manitoba climate zone map — Zone 7A highlighted in blue ]
Heating Degree Days
—
HDD at 18°C
Climate Zone
Zone —
5,000–5,999 HDD
This means
Code tables for your zone apply to your building. These are the values we'll check against throughout the tool.
📄 NBC 2025 Appendix C — Climate Data ↗
Wireframe note: Three path cards. Tiered Prescriptive is recommended and pre-selected. Performance card is shown but labelled "screening only."
Step 3 of 6
Choose your compliance path
Manitoba requires Tier 3 for residential buildings. There are three ways to demonstrate your building meets this requirement.
Prescriptive (Base)
Meet the minimum insulation and window values in the code. Achieves Tier 1 only — not sufficient for Manitoba.
NBC 2025 Sections 9.36.2–9.36.4
Tiered Prescriptive
Earn energy conservation points by exceeding code minimums. Flexible — mix and match upgrades to reach Tier 3.
NBC 2025 Section 9.36.9
Performance
Energy modelling to demonstrate overall performance. Screening estimate only — certified HOT2000 model required for permits.
NBC 2025 Section 9.36.7
Why Tiered Prescriptive? It's the most flexible path — no energy modelling required, and you can earn points from a wide range of upgrades. A cold-climate heat pump alone can get you to Tier 3 in one measure.
📄 Understanding the Tiers — KnowYourCodesMB.ca ↗
📄 Understanding the Tiers — KnowYourCodesMB.ca ↗
Wireframe note: All base minimums must pass before earning points. Pass/fail is live as values are entered. Code ref link on every row.
Step 4 of 6
Base requirements Zone —
These minimum values must be met before you can earn any conservation points. All components must pass.
If your building includes an HRV, Table 9.36.2.6.-B values apply (slightly lower minimums). Set the HRV toggle on Step 1 to confirm.
📄 NBC 2025 Table 9.36.2.6.-B ↗
🧱 Above-Ground Opaque Assemblies
Component
Your value
Minimum (Zone 7A)
Status
≥ 5.02 RSIR28.5 imperial
—
≥ 5.02 RSIIf applicable
N/A
🪟 Fenestration & Doors
Wireframe note: User can enter either U-value OR Energy Rating — whichever is on their product spec sheet.
Component
Your value
Maximum (Zone 7A)
Status
🏗️ Below-Grade Assemblies
Component
Your value
Minimum (Zone 7A)
Status
⬜
Enter your values above to check base requirements.
All components must pass before proceeding.
Wireframe note: Accordion per category. Each shows points earned. Running total in sidebar. Categories sorted by highest-impact first for Zone 7A.
Step 5 of 6 — Tiered Prescriptive Path — Zone 7A
Earn conservation points
You need 20 points total, with at least 5 from envelope measures. Enter your specs — points calculate automatically. You don't need to fill every category.
ℹ️
Select your specs below — points calculate as you go. You need 20 points total, with at least 5 from envelope measures.
Space Heating — Cold-Climate Heat Pump
Points available: up to ~35 pts
Highest impact ⚡
▼
A cold-climate air-source heat pump (COP ≥ 1.8 at -15°C, capacity ≥ 70% at -15°C vs 8.3°C) earns significantly more points than a standard heat pump. This is the fastest single path to Tier 3.
📄 NBC 2025 Table 9.36.9.9.-F ↗
📄 NBC 2025 Table 9.36.9.9.-F ↗
Found on the product spec sheet or AHRI certificate.
| HSPF2 V | Points (Zone 7A) |
|---|---|
| ≥ 6.7 | 29.5 |
| ≥ 7.6 | 31.4 |
| ≥ 8.3 | 32.9 ← if selected |
| ≥ 9.6 | 35.5 |
Airtightness Envelope
Points available: up to ~15 pts
Optional — requires blower door test
▼
Points are awarded for tested airtightness better than the code default. A blower door test is required — the default assumed airtightness is 3.2 ACH@50Pa if untested.
📄 NBC 2025 Table 9.36.9.8. ↗
📄 NBC 2025 Table 9.36.9.8. ↗
| Level | Points (Zone 7A) |
|---|---|
| AL-2A | 3.8 |
| AL-3A | 7.6 |
| AL-4A | 11.4 |
| AL-5A | 14.7 |
Above-Grade Walls Envelope
Points available: up to ~10 pts
not entered
▼
Effective RSI accounts for thermal bridging through studs. CWC Effective R Calculator ↗
| Minimum Effective RSI | Imperial | Points (Zone 7A) |
|---|---|---|
| 3.08 (base minimum) | R17.5 | 0 |
| 3.69 | R21.0 | 4.4 |
| 3.85 | R21.9 | 5.2 |
| 3.96 | R22.5 | 5.8 |
| 4.29 | R24.4 | 7.4 |
| 4.57 | R25.9 | 8.4 |
| 5.01 | R28.4 | 10.0 |
Windows & Doors Envelope
Points available: up to ~12.6 pts
not entered
▼
From ENERGY STAR or NFRC label
| Max U-value | Min ER | Points (Zone 7A) |
|---|---|---|
| 1.61 (base min) | 25 | 0 |
| 1.44 | 29 | 1.8 |
| 1.22 | 34 | 5.5 |
| 1.05 | 40 | 8.9 |
| 0.94 | 42 | 10.7 |
| 0.82 | 44 | 12.6 |
HRV / ERV Efficiency
Points available: up to 5.3 pts
not entered
▼
Found on the HVI Certified Products Directory or product spec sheet.
| SRE | Points (Zone 7A) |
|---|---|
| 60% | 3.7 |
| 70% | 4.2 |
| 80% | 4.8 |
| 85% | 5.0 |
| ≥ 90% | 5.3 |
Service Water Heating Mechanical
Points available: up to 3.1 pts
Foundation Walls Envelope
Points available: up to ~8 pts
Building Volume Envelope
Points available: up to 10 pts (if volume ≤ 390 m³)
Points available if total conditioned volume ≤ 390 m³ (single building), or if each dwelling unit ≤ 230 m³. Enter your volume on Step 1 — check if each unit qualifies for the 10-point option.
📄 NBC 2025 Table 9.36.9.11. ↗
📄 NBC 2025 Table 9.36.9.11. ↗
Additional categories: Ceilings / Attics · Cathedral Ceilings · Exposed Floors · Slabs · Drain Water Heat Recovery · Gas Furnace
Step 6 of 6 — Results
Compliance Summary
Complete earlier steps to populate your project summary.
Wireframe note: Two states shown — "not yet compliant" (current) and "compliant" (toggle below to preview). Gap analysis shows specific upgrade suggestions.
Manitoba Requirement
Tier —
Enter your specs on Step 5 to calculate your tier and point total.
⚡ How to reach Tier 3 (need 5.3 more points)
Upgrade to a cold-climate heat pump (HSPF2 ≥ 6.7) → earns 29.5 points. Replaces gas furnace entirely. +29.5 pts — gets you to Tier 3 in one step.
Airtightness testing (AL-2A blower door) → earns 3.8 points. Combined with a small wall upgrade → covers the 5.3 gap. +3.8 pts
Upgrade windows to U ≤ 1.22 (ER ≥ 34) → earns 5.5 pts (up from current 1.8 pts). +3.7 pts — nearly closes the gap alone.
📋 Component Summary
| Component | Value | Code Reference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Above-grade walls | — | Table 9.36.9.5.-A | — |
| Windows & doors | — | Table 9.36.9.6. | — |
| Foundation walls | — | Table 9.36.9.7.-A | — |
| HRV efficiency | — | Table 9.36.9.9.-A | — |
| Water heating | — | Table 9.36.9.10.-A | — |
| Space heating | — | — | — |
| Airtightness | — | — | — |
| Building volume | — | Table 9.36.9.11. | — |
| Total | — / 20 | ||