Coalition submits final recommendations for changes to model energy code that will drive energy savings, cut carbon emissions
July 23, 2010—Two organizations working to make buildings greener and the federal Department of Energy have teamed to propose comprehensive changes to the nation’s model energy code that would help commercial structures use up to 30 percent less energy than current code practice.
Final recommendations for revisions to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) were developed by New Buildings Institute (NBI), the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and submitted earlier this month. The IECC is one of only two national, model energy codes that describe energy efficiency standards for new buildings.
NBI and AIA also submitted their final recommendations on two additional proposals dealing with aspects of the model code related to the stringency of efficiency in building walls and windows.
At the end of October, local government officials from across the country will gather in Charlotte, N.C., to vote on the proposals. If adopted, the changes would go into effect Jan. 1, 2012 and would represent the largest single-step increase in building efficiency in the history of the IECC. In addition to saving energy, the changes would reduce carbon emissions resulting from electricity use in buildings, according to NBI.
“High efficiency energy codes are one of the most powerful tools for meeting national energy goals,” said Dave Hewitt, NBI executive director. “The changes we are proposing for commercial buildings are reasonable and necessary and this vote represents one of the most important national energy decisions our country will make this decade,” he said.
“Increasing energy efficiency by 30 percent in the model codes is a critical step in meeting the AIA’s goals of carbon neutral buildings by the year 2030,’ said Jessyca Henderson, AIA Director of Sustainability Advocacy. Recognizing that buildings represent the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in America, AIA programs and policies encourage better green design and reduction of energy consumption in the built environment.
In addition, a number of major national programs and policies related to climate change call for rapid increases in building efficiency, including the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (now before Congress), the Architecture 2030 Challenge, and the U.S. DOE’s Commercial Building Challenge.
Proposals represent an affordable, proven approach
The measures included in the NBI/AIA/DOE proposals take advantage of readily-available building equipment and tested design strategies that have already been successfully applied to commercial buildings across North America.
The comprehensive proposal is modeled on NBI’s Core Performance protocol, a direct approach to achieving energy savings in commercial buildings. A number of utilities and public benefits administrators have adopted Core Performance as part of their efficiency program offerings.
A stretch code also based on Core Performance has been adopted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is currently being followed by 44 communities in that state. Other states and municipalities are currently considering similar codes.
Numerous studies of green, high-performance buildings show that they don’t need to cost more than standard buildings. While estimated added costs can range from 0-2 percent for initial design and construction, long-term operating costs are often reduced because of lower energy expenses. Other documented benefits include improved occupancy rates, higher sales and rental prices, and increased productivity and well-being of occupants.
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New Buildings Institute is a nonprofit organization working collaboratively with commercial building professionals and the energy industry to promote better energy performance in buildings, including advocating for advanced design practices, improved technologies, public policies and programs that improve energy efficiency. Visit www.newbuildings.org.
For over 150 years, members of the American Institute of Architects have worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes. By using sustainable design practices, materials, and techniques, AIA architects are uniquely poised to provide the leadership and guidance needed to provide solutions to address climate change. AIA architects walk the walk on sustainable design. Visit www.aia.org.
The U.S. Department of Energy, through its Building Energy Codes Program (BECP), is focused on increasing the energy efficiency of buildings on behalf of the public and our national interests in collaboration with key partners and stakeholders.