9.36 Energy Compliance Reports in Nova Scotia
Since April 1, 2026, new houses and small buildings in Nova Scotia have to meet Tier 2 of Section 9.36 of the 2020 National Building Code, and Tier 3 is scheduled for April 1, 2027. Sol Invictus Energy Services models your house in HOT2000 from your plans and delivers a compliance report for your permit application, so you know where your design stands for both tiers.
What we do
Energy modelling in HOT2000 (performance path)
Prescriptive and tiered prescriptive (points) calculations
9.36 compliance reports for your permit application
Guidance on assemblies, windows and mechanical systems
How it works
Send your plans, window specs and mechanical details.
We model the house and confirm the path and upgrades that meet your required tier.
You receive a permit-ready 9.36 compliance report.
Frequently asked questions
When do Tier 2 and Tier 3 apply to my Nova Scotia project?
Tier 2 has applied to new houses and small buildings under the Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations since April 1, 2026. Tier 3 is scheduled to take effect April 1, 2027. If your permit application is close to a change date, confirm with your municipal building official which tier applies.
What is a 9.36 compliance report?
It's the document that shows your permit office how a new house or small building meets the energy efficiency requirements in Section 9.36 of the National Building Code. Depending on your path, it lists the insulation, windows, airtightness, ventilation and heating equipment, or compares an energy model of your house with a reference house built to the code.
Which compliance path should I use, prescriptive or performance?
The prescriptive path is simplest when your standard assemblies already meet the code tables. The performance path models the whole house in HOT2000, so you can trade a stronger wall for a less expensive window, or a better furnace for less insulation, and it usually gives the most design flexibility at higher tiers. We look at both and recommend the one that best fits your design and budget.
How long does a report take?
Most of the time goes into gathering complete information. Send full drawings, window specifications and mechanical details with your request and we'll confirm your turnaround when we receive them.
Do I need a blower door test?
Only if your energy model uses a measured value, or you claim airtightness points on the prescriptive path. The 2020 code lets your energy model use 3.2 air changes per hour at 50 Pa where construction meets Section 9.25, or 2.5 where the air barrier details are shown to meet the code. If your model uses a tested value, a blower door test confirms it.
National Building Code 2025
Nova Scotia's current schedule moves housing to Tier 3 on April 1, 2027. Adoption plans for the 2025 national codes will be added here when announced.
Prefer to manage the file yourself? Get your Nova Scotia 9.36 report through Energy Navigator: https://www.energy-navigator.ca/9-36-compliance-report-nova-scotia