New building codes are now in-effect in the TNRD, which are part of a broader plan by the province to make all “new builds” more energy efficient.

The TNRD has now moved into Step 3 of the province’s 5-phase plan to make new residential and commercial buildings “net zero” ready.

TNRD Chief Building Inspector Tony Bolton says this means that all new builds have to be 20-percent more efficient through things like better windows, heating units and insulation — with the ultimate goal to get to “net zero” by 2032.

“That is basically a status where they become so efficient that by simply adding a solar array, it could generate as much energy as it consumes.”

The TNRD is warning that this change will add more work, time, staff training and resources to administer building permits.

It will also increase costs of construction on capital projects, as it then decreases the relative costs of operating those buildings.

Bolton estimates the new Step 3 codes will make the construction of a 2-thousand square foot home anywhere from $14,000 to $25,000 dollars more to build.