EESI Briefing: Energy Codes

March2012 MaureenGuttman,AIA ExecutiveDirector,BuildingCodesAssistanceProject

BCAP Building Codes Assistance Project

Organizedin1994toassiststatesinadoptingand implementingbuildingenergycodes
o

Jointinitiativeof

AlliancetoSaveEnergy NaturalResourcesDefenseCouncil AmericanCouncilforanEnergyEfficientEconomy CoordinationanddirectassistanceonbehalfofU.S. DepartmentofEnergy Policyandtechnicalsupport Toolsandresources

Deliver:

What are energy codes?

Energycodesarethe minimumstandardsfor energyefficiencyinnew andrenovated residentialand commercialbuildings.
o Baseline energyperformanceofabuilding o Partofoverallbuildingcodesadoptedbystateandlocal governments oEnergycodesestablishafoundationforenergyandgreen programs:ENERGYSTAR,LEED,ASHRAEStandard189,BuildingAmerica/federaltax
incentive,andNetzeroenergybuildings.

International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)

o Updatedevery3years;incorporates

currenttechnologies,costs,and practices o PartoftheInternationalFamilyof Codes o 2012IECCisthemostcurrent

Examples of Energy Code Criteria

Woodburningfireplacesmust havegasketed doors Ahomewithaforced airfurnaceheating systemmusthavea programmable thermostat Anenergycertificateensuring energyefficiencymeasureshave beenmet usuallyfoundnear theelectricaldistributionbox.

Adoption and Enforcement Process

o Adoptionprocessesdifferfromstatetostate,butinmost casescodesareadoptedthroughalegislativeprocess,a regulatoryprocess,oracombinationofboth.
o Mostoften,enforcementis

carriedoutatbythebuilding departmentsofalocal governments. oEnforcementSHOULD include:planreview, permitting,testingand inspection.Butoftendoesnot.

Cost/Benefit of Energy Codes

BCAPhasestimatedthattheaddedcostofmovingfrom currentpracticetothe2009IECCfornewhomeswould resultinanationwideweightedaverageof$840.77pernew homewhichislessthan1%ofanewhomescost. Theannualenergysavingsperhomewouldbe$243.37on average, meaningthepaybackofahomebuiltefficiently wouldoccurin 3.45years. Weighted average incremental cost $840.77 Medianenergy Simplepayback Mortgage savingsper (in years) payback household (Months) $243 3.4 ~12

Why are Energy Codes Important?

BigPictureApproach:ClimateandEnergyEfficiencyGoals

407040
o 40%ofU.S.energyisconsumedbythebuildingsector o 70%ofU.S.electricitydemandfrombuildings o 40%ofCO2 emissionsattributabletobuildings,representing thenationslargestsourceofemissionsandgreatlycontributing topollutionandglobalwarming.

How Energy is Used in Homes

Benefits of Energy Codes

1. Reducesstressonpowergrid 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

andnaturalgassupplies Reducesemissions:improved airqualityandpublichealth Reducesmonthlyenergy bills/consumerssavemoney Stimulatestheeconomyand creategreenjobs Reducesnationaldemand, easingcontentiousissues Improveslongterm sustainability(buildingslasta longtime!)

Federal Obligations & Goals

EnergyPolicyActof1992 StatesmustadoptequivalentofASHRAEStandard90.1 StatesmustadoptInternationalEnergyConservation Code(IECC) orsubmitjustificationfornot AmericanRecovery&ReinvestmentAct Appropriated$3.1billiontoDOEsState EnergyProgram(SEP)thatassistedstates withbuildingenergyefficiencyefforts. 2009IECCand90.12007 90%Complianceby2017

BCAP-CU Survey Findings:

Consumers Want Better Energy Codes
o

Thepublicfeelsthattheyhavearightto ahomethatmeetsminimumenergyefficiency standards.(82%) Thepublicbelievesthatenergycodeshelpensurethat homeownerandtaxpayerdollarsareusedwiselyand efficientlybyrequiringthatnewhomeswillbebuiltright thefirsttime.(74%) Thepublicagreesthatenergycodesaddtothepurchase priceofanewhomeandeffectivelylowermonthlyoperating costs.(69%)

Support Code Efforts By

o

Provideresourcestostateandlocalitiesto addresschallenges,suchastrainingand education,enforcementneeds,codebooks. IntegratesavingsfromEnergyCodeswhen craftinglegislationforRPS,EERS,orEEPS. Voteforlegislationthatprovidesforand sustainsenergycodes,suchastheSAVEAct.

Thank You!
MaureenGuttman,AIA
BuildingCodesAssistanceProject Washington,DC (202)5302211|mguttman@ase.org

www.bcapocean.org