LEEP
Local Energy Efficiency Partnerships (LEEP) is an interactive approach that enables builders, renovators, technical experts and other professionals to rapidly build industry capacity for high-performance construction and renovation.
Designed as innovation exchange workshops, LEEP bridges the gap between codes, regulations and construction industry professionals by highlighting the development of reliable, robust and cost-effective solutions that encourages the implementation of code-ready homes across Canada. The results include energy savings for homeowners, competitive advantage for participating builders, renovators and manufacturers, and improvements in local building practices driven by builders and renovators.
CHBA’S Role in LEEP
Developed by Natural Resources Canada, CHBA has been supporting LEEP since 2007, and encourages its’ expansion to accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies. To make the LEEP workshop content more broadly accessible, CHBA has developed interactive online courses that offer self-paced modules with real-world case studies for builders and renovators (including their site supervisors, trades, and contractors), designers, and energy advisors - made possible with funding fromNatural Resources Canada (NRCan).
CHBA's LEEP for Envelopes
E-Learning Courses
Designed as a practical guide to the tiered energy codes, it provides solutions-oriented pathways to meet National Building Code (NBC) 9.36 Tiers 2 to 4 requirements using straightforward building envelope "specification bundles." These off-the-shelf bundles help you easily satisfy Tier 2 standards while preparing your projects for future Tiers 3 and 4 - delivering consistent, high-quality, durable outcomes with minimal process disruption.
Module 1: Regulatory Changes in Home Building Requirements
Module 2: Pathways to Net Zero Compliance
Module 3: Tier 3 Bundles
Module 4: Applying Tier 3 Solutions
Module 5: Toward Tiers 4 and 5 Compliance
CHBA's LEEP for Mechanicals
E-Learning Courses
Designed as a critical bridge between high-performance mechanical systems and practical field applications, it takes the guesswork out of high-performance construction while maintaining affordability. Master high-performance Net Zero mechanical systems & NBC 2025 compliance using a 13 Step Builder Decision guide for consistent process and delivery. 3D details multi-trade coordination with step-by-step mechanical considerations and integration into builder workflow.
Module 1: Regulatory Changes in Home Building Requirements
Module 2: Overview of Mechanical Systems
Module 3: Electric-Only Air-Source Heat Pumps
Module 4: Hydronic Furnace and Cold Climate Air-Source Heat Pumps
Module 5: Dual-Fuel Furnace and Cold Climate Air-Source Heat Pumps
LEEP Code Discovery Workshops:
Reducing Construction Costs & Improving Home Performance
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) in partnership with local HBAs, Energy Utilities, EAs, and Municipalities are offering practical in-person hands-on workshops for builders and housing-sector professionals on cost-effective strategies for future energy code readiness. These interactive workshops are designed to help builders get ahead of the curve without overbuilding, overcomplicating, or guessing. Attendees will participate in a simulated Integrated Design Process (IDP) using a local archetype home and new NRCan LEEP tools (CodePath and Cost Navigator) to help compare options, understand code pathways, and support better design decisions. They will also learn practical compliance strategies for real homes, what changes actually move the needle, and which ones may not be worth the cost by looking at cost-effective trade-offs, comparing upgrade packages and construction impacts.
Lanark Leeds, ON
JAN 28 | 9 am - 3 pm
Winnipeg, MB
FEB 11 &12 | 9 am - 3 pm
"The LEEP seminars have been transformative, providing our builders with essential knowledge and experience in energy-efficient technologies and building practices. LEEP has enhanced their technical skills and confidence in adopting innovative practices, and the networking has fostered collaboration to share experiences and collectively elevate industry standards."
- Crystal Ingram, Executive Officer, CHBA Nova Scotia
"LEEP workshops are a great opportunity for the residential construction industry to prepare itself for a rapidly changing world where climate change is requiring that we make homes more resilient for the future. The expertise provided empowers builders to challenge the way they think to create safer and more comfortable residential spaces for future homeowners."
-Daniel Winer, Executive Officer, CHBA Central Okanagan
"At HAVAN, the LEEP sessions have been an important component of our continuing professional development curriculum. Designed to empower housing professionals to build better, LEEP brings together an excellent selection of industry-leading subject-matter experts and manufacturers in a convenient way. Builders have incredible access to building science content, and still come away with learnings."
-Wendy McNeil, Acting CEO, HAVAN
"The LEEP program and events were vital to the integration of better building techniques and practices, for our company. By providing the setting, supporting materials, and education, LEEP enabled Team NHc. to become a more advanced builder – better prepared for the codes and demands of a rapidly changing residential construction industry. LEEP has enriched and fortified not just our own company, but the residential construction industry at large."
-Shay Bulmer, Owner & GM Northern Homecraft Ltd. & CHBA Northern BC Past President
"Through LEEP, our builder group found options, solutions, and ways to adapt to rising Building Code challenges and higher performing energy stretch targets, while still keeping affordability top of mind for their clients. It was a beneficial experience and one that brought deep and diverse resources to Manitoba that may not have been achievable without the collaboration of the entire LEEP team, and their customization of the information to the Manitoba market.”
-Colleen Kuruluk, Manager, Marketing Programs Department, Customer Care & Energy Conservation, Manitoba Hydro
"The LEEP process in our estimation was a success because it gave the Builders the opportunity, through their participation, to steer the wheel in regards to what we believe will work locally instead of having solutions created elsewhere and having them pushed onto us.”
-Dale Verville, Production Manager, Qualico Single Family Homes,Winnipeg, Manitoba
"BC Hydro is a proud supporter of NRCan's LEEP, which brings forward-thinking builders together to share ideas and enthusiasm in building better, more energy efficient homes. LEEP examines best practices and leading edge technologies, advances local knowledge and skills, reduces builder risk in trying new technologies, and helps advance the performance of all new homes.”
-Gary Hamer, Advanced DSM Strategies, Conservation & Energy Management, BC Hydro
"The original London Energy Efficiency Partnership (LEEP) project played, and continues to play, a key role in the City of London's climate change strategy. Residential energy use is a significant contributor to London's greenhouse gas emissions, and the legacy created by this partnership with the London Home Builders' Association is a cornerstone of London's new Community Energy Action Plan.”
-Jamie Skimming - Manager, Air Quality, City of London, London, Ontario
"It's when we (builders) are in a room together and we use the LEEP process to work through the technologies together that we get a much clearer and deeper grasp of those technologies and a better idea of how they fit into the building process.”
-Doug Tarry - Owner, Doug Tarry Homes, St. Thomas, Ontario
"Recently, I was privileged to participate in the Local Energy Efficiency Partnerships (LEEP) program in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia... LEEP was a fantastic opportunity for the builders who participated. If you see this opportunity in your local area I highly recommend it. It is time very well spent. I am using new wall and mechanical systems as a result of what I learned during LEEP.”
-Bob Deeks, RDC Fine Homes, Whistler, BC
"Our goal is to foster a community where learning thrives and where the homebuilding industry can network, collaborate, and grow together, and LEEP offers another resource for members to access the information they need to build better and more efficiently."
-Anonymous
"The sessions were very informative. The subject matter experts, facilitators and manufacturers connect all parts of each session back to energy efficiency showing why it matters to builders and those in the industry. LEEP is successful because our members are re-engaged with each company taking back practical tips and suggestions to improve their work."
-Anonymous
Our audience appreciates the technical information, even when the scope may beyond their needs – the purpose is to empower the builder to have knowledge in various areas so they can ask the right questions on a project. LEEP workshops do a good job of including case studies (challenges and successes), manufacturer options/information, best practices, and costs – all of which are important elements for a builder to understand when we want them to implement a new technology, construction methodologies, and better building practices.
-Anonymous