How the Okanagan is built
- Before 1961 12%
- 1961–1990 43%
- 1991–2000 18%
- 2001 or later 27%
This page covers the Okanagan Valley outside Kelowna, which has its own pages: West Kelowna, Lake Country and Peachland in the Central Okanagan, Penticton, Summerland, Oliver and Osoyoos to the south, and Vernon, Coldstream, Armstrong, Spallumcheen, Enderby and Lumby to the north.
Design temperatures across the Okanagan
The National Building Code of Canada 2020 says the 2.5% January design temperature is the value ordinarily used to design heating systems. Its climate table lists these British Columbia locations in or next to the Okanagan:
| Location in the code’s table | January 2.5% design temperature | Heating degree-days |
|---|---|---|
| Penticton | −15°C | 3,350 |
| Kelowna | −17°C | 3,400 |
| Vernon | −20°C | 3,600 |
| Salmon Arm | −19°C | 3,650 |
| Osoyoos | −14°C | 3,100 |
Environment and Climate Change Canada's 1981–2010 climate normal at Penticton Airport (4.2 km from Penticton) is 3,341 heating degree-days a year, with a January mean of −0.6°C. At Winfield, 27.5 km from Vernon, the normal is 3,529 heating degree-days, with a January mean of −1.9°C.
What CSA F280-12 asks for
The code requires the heating capacity for a house to be worked out with CSA F280, using the code's own design temperatures, and its list of referenced documents names the 2012 edition, CSA F280-12. The calculation works out how much heat each room loses on the design day, from the house's actual walls, windows, ceiling insulation and air leakage.
With design days around −14°C, a cold-climate heat pump sized to the calculation can carry most or all of a typical house's heating, which makes right-sizing, rather than oversizing, the main job.
In B.C., the provincial Home Renovation Rebate's heat pump requirements call for a CSA F280 heat load calculation, so ask for the report with your quote.
What the calculation needs from your house
Of the 64,120 houses in the Okanagan (single-detached, semi-detached, row houses, duplexes and mobile homes), 12% were built before 1961 and 55% before 1991, according to the 2021 Census. In an older or renovated house, the walls, windows and air leakage rarely match the original plans, so ask the designer to measure rather than assume. Have this ready:
- Room dimensions and ceiling heights, or a floor plan.
- Window and door sizes and types, room by room.
- Insulation levels in the attic, walls, basement and any floor over an unheated space.
- A blower door result from an EnerGuide evaluation, if you've had one.
- Where the ducts, radiators or baseboards run, so the heat can be delivered room by room.
What it costs
There's no standard published price for a standalone F280 calculation, so ask two or three providers for a written quote that names the deliverable: the room-by-room F280 report, not just an equipment size. Many energy advisors bundle it with an EnerGuide evaluation, which also gives the calculation measured air-leakage data instead of an assumption. Ask whether a rural travel fee applies. The CSA F280 heat-loss calculation explains the method and typical cost bands.
Communities we cover in the Okanagan
Every town, village and hamlet below is part of this page, grouped by municipality (2021 Census population).
- Vernon 44,519
- Penticton 36,885
- West Kelowna 36,078
- Lake Country 15,817
- Summerland 12,042
- Coldstream 11,171
- Peachland 5,789
- Osoyoos 5,556
- Armstrong 5,323
- Spallumcheen 5,307
- Oliver 5,094
- Enderby 3,028
- Lumby 2,063
Covered on city pages: Kelowna.
NRCan-registered service organizations serving the Okanagan
NRCan's list of service organizations (checked October 8, 2026) shows 24 organizations registered for postal codes in Penticton, Vernon, Westbank (West Kelowna) and Winfield (Lake Country) (V2A, V1B, V1H, V1T, V4T, V4V). Registration means an organization lists those postal areas, not that it has an advisor in town: confirm they travel to your community, and ask about wait times and travel fees.
- Acacia Engineering
- City Green Solutions
- Energy Werx Profile
- Enerhome Consulting
- EnerSolution Profile
- EnerVision
- ER Energy Solutions
- GETS Energy
- Green Canada Home Advisors Profile
- Greenbrain Profile
- Isle Energy Consulting
- Sensible Home Inspections
- The Energuy Profile
- VerdaTech Energy Management and Consulting
- Canada Energy Audit Profile
- EcoLogic Energy Advisors
- Engreen Home
- Green Think
- HomeTech Energy Solutions
- Buildingexpert
- Capital Energy
- CoEfficient Building Science
- Capital Home Energy
- CLEAResult
Heat pump programs in the Okanagan
Heat loss calculations in the Okanagan: common questions
What design temperature is used for heat pump sizing in West Kelowna?
The National Building Code 2020's climate table gives −15°C for Penticton, −17°C for Kelowna, −20°C for Vernon, −19°C for Salmon Arm and −14°C for Osoyoos. Provincial codes can use their own climate tables, so ask which value the calculation uses.
What is CSA F280-12?
The 2012 edition of CSA F280, Determining the required capacity of residential space heating and cooling appliances. The National Building Code 2020 requires heating capacity for a house to be determined with it.
How much does a heat loss calculation cost?
There is no standard published price. Ask two or three providers for a written quote for the F280 report, and ask whether it costs less bundled with an EnerGuide evaluation and whether a travel fee applies.
Who does F280 calculations in the Okanagan?
Many of the 24 NRCan-registered organizations that list Penticton, Vernon and Westbank (West Kelowna) postal codes offer them, as do HVAC designers. Ask for the F280 report itself, not just an equipment size.