Lowering the cost of construction through practical building performance analysis.
Construction costs are high, and energy codes are changing quickly. When designs get conservative, mechanical systems get oversized and budgets inflate.
Shape Energy works on the owner’s side of the table. We use building energy modeling to find where equipment is oversized, fix thermal details early, and keep projects code-compliant without adding unnecessary equipment cost. Our goal on every project is straightforward: save the owner more money in construction costs than we charge in consulting fees.
How We Work: The Design Integration Process
Shape Energy applies the practical stages of ASHRAE Standard 209 directly to the project schedule as drawings develop:
- Massing & Glazing: Checking window-to-wall ratios and orientation early, before layouts are frozen.
- Envelope & Detailing: Testing insulation and thermal breaks to see what actually reduces heating and cooling loads.
- Equipment Rightsizing: Modeling hourly coincident loads with the mechanical designer so equipment is sized for reality, not oversized by compounded safety margins.
- Permit Compliance: Preparing clear compliance models for NECB Part 8/10, BC Energy Step Code, or municipal bylaws, ready for engineering review and sealing.
- Field Verification: Blower door testing, checking thermal details on site, and reviewing equipment submittals before installation.
Scope of Services: Part 3 Commercial & Part 9 Residential
Part 3 Commercial, Institutional & Multi-Unit Residential (MURB):
- 8,760-hour hourly energy modeling (OpenStudio / EnergyPlus).
- NECB 2020 Part 8 compliance and Part 10 Tier certification.
- BC Energy Step Code TEUI, TEDI, and GHGI calculations.
- Mechanical plant rightsizing and electrical service demand calculations.
- 2D ground contact modeling (Kiva) and thermal bridge accounting.
Part 9 High-Performance Residential & Light Commercial:
- BC Energy Step Code compliance (HOT2000 / BCBC 9.36.6).
- Room-by-room heating and cooling load calculations (CSA F280-12).
- TECA residential ventilation checklist compliance.
- Whole-building airtightness testing (ASTM E779 / E3158 / CGSB 149.10).
Working Together: Engineers, Architects & Owners
With Mechanical Engineers: We handle the time-consuming hourly energy simulation and thermal bridge modeling, and deliver clear, documented packages for your P.Eng. to review and seal under paid commercial sub-consulting agreements.
With Owner Representatives & Developers: We review mechanical bids and early designs against project budgets and owner requirements, checking for unnecessary equipment size and cost.
Shape Energy Inc.
Independent Energy Modelling | Value Engineering | Owner’s Advocate
Code Compliance | Energy Performance | Cost Optimization | Audit | Practical Advice
Part 9 Residential & Multi-Unit | Part 3 Low/Mid-rise Commercial & Institutional
Contact Us
Phone
(604) – 774 – 4451
info@shape.energy
Nigel Protter, MBA, EA, RASDT
Principal
Nigel founded Shape Energy to provide independent energy modeling, cost optimization, and compliance analysis. His background connects hands-on construction experience with building science and clean energy policy leadership across British Columbia.
- Hands-on Building Experience: Practical background as a builder and contractor, bridging the gap between theoretical computer models and job-site construction.
- Building Energy & Policy Leadership: Former CEO of the BC Sustainable Energy Association (BCSEA), managing the Green MURBs multi-family retrofit program in partnership with the City of Vancouver and BC Hydro.
- National Technical Advisory: Served on the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Idea to Innovation (i2i) selection committee, evaluating clean technology commercialization.
- Industry Educator: Frequent speaker on building physics, airtightness, and cost-effective code compliance for regional building associations and municipal officials.
- Professional Accreditations: TECA Residential Air System Design Technician (#15606), CSA F280-12 mechanical designer. MBA in Management of Technology (Simon Fraser University).
Nathaniel Protter, EA, CACEA
Vancouver and Sunshine Coast
- TECA F280-12
- Field Airtightness Testing & Residential Step Code Compliance