New building codes would increase energy efficiency standards for newly designed and constructed homes and buildings by 30 percent, compared to the 2006 model code. The improved building codes include refinements and steps to include more advanced insulation, windows, air ducts and air tightness, and improved lighting.
On Oct. 31, code officials for the International Code Council (ICC) together with the Energy Efficient Codes Coalition (EECC) in Charlotte, N.C. voted on the series of building code proposals dubbed “The 30 Percent Solution 2012.” The proposal aims at newly built homes, which would be most affected.
The building codes are used in 47 of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. The updated codes improve on 20 years of slight gains in energy efficiency that the ICC and EECC feel the country can no longer afford economically and environmentally.
“The actions that our local and state officials took last week are a clear example of municipalities showing the federal government how to lead by example. Building code officials made the commonsense choice, understanding that energy efficiency is not a luxury, it is a necessity,” said Camellia Watkins, Sierra Club National Building Energy Codes Campaign coordinator in a statement last week on the proposed standards.
Increasing the energy efficiency of homes and commercial businesses is considered a major cornerstone to reducing greenhouse gases. Homes and buildings use 75 percent of all electricity generated as well as contributing 50 percent of the amount of greenhouse gases emitted.
The new codes, which are part of the 2012 model code for building, will reduce the demand for gas and electricity generated by power plants such as fossil burning plants, which generate greenhouse gases.
“These were important and challenging decisions but I am completely certain that the voting members made the right choices. Code officials opted for a more sustainable future for everyone, while providing a level playing field to the building industry based on demonstrated improvements to ensure energy performance. The improvements are meaningful, and they are achievable by every competent builder in the industry,” said Chairman of the Green Builder Coalition Ron Jones in the Sierra Club statement. Mr. Jones is also an experienced builder.
The consumer might have to deal with higher building costs as a result. However, the ICC and the Sierra Club estimate annual savings of $511 each year per household. Low-income families stand to gain the most from the lower electricity and gas bills each month.
The EECC says their next step is to push for adoption of the standards.
On Oct. 31, code officials for the International Code Council (ICC) together with the Energy Efficient Codes Coalition (EECC) in Charlotte, N.C. voted on the series of building code proposals dubbed “The 30 Percent Solution 2012.” The proposal aims at newly built homes, which would be most affected.
The building codes are used in 47 of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. The updated codes improve on 20 years of slight gains in energy efficiency that the ICC and EECC feel the country can no longer afford economically and environmentally.
“The actions that our local and state officials took last week are a clear example of municipalities showing the federal government how to lead by example. Building code officials made the commonsense choice, understanding that energy efficiency is not a luxury, it is a necessity,” said Camellia Watkins, Sierra Club National Building Energy Codes Campaign coordinator in a statement last week on the proposed standards.
Increasing the energy efficiency of homes and commercial businesses is considered a major cornerstone to reducing greenhouse gases. Homes and buildings use 75 percent of all electricity generated as well as contributing 50 percent of the amount of greenhouse gases emitted.
The new codes, which are part of the 2012 model code for building, will reduce the demand for gas and electricity generated by power plants such as fossil burning plants, which generate greenhouse gases.
“These were important and challenging decisions but I am completely certain that the voting members made the right choices. Code officials opted for a more sustainable future for everyone, while providing a level playing field to the building industry based on demonstrated improvements to ensure energy performance. The improvements are meaningful, and they are achievable by every competent builder in the industry,” said Chairman of the Green Builder Coalition Ron Jones in the Sierra Club statement. Mr. Jones is also an experienced builder.
The consumer might have to deal with higher building costs as a result. However, the ICC and the Sierra Club estimate annual savings of $511 each year per household. Low-income families stand to gain the most from the lower electricity and gas bills each month.
The EECC says their next step is to push for adoption of the standards.
