Author: Kimberly Cheslak
Proposals to drastically cut GHG delivered to IECC committees
Post / October 13, 2021
This week, New Buildings Institute (NBI) submitted code change proposals to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) residential and commercial development committees. These proposals have the potential to drastically reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the building sector and help...
The Future of Building Decarbonization Starts Now
Post / July 8, 2021
With buildings currently representing 39% of U.S. carbon emissions from operational and embodied sources, jurisdictions look toward advanced building codes and policies as critical and urgent strategies for meeting their climate goals. Despite overwhelming support from public bodies, recent efforts...
The New Residential Zero Energy Appendix: An Important Addition for Code Adoption
Post / December 8, 2020
For the first time, the new 2021 update of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), which is anticipated to be released in the next few weeks, includes a Zero Energy Home Appendix that provides cities and states with ready-made code...
Reduce Carbon in Existing Buildings and Put America Back to Work
Post / October 28, 2020
We all know too well of the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. These impacts are compounded by increasingly destructive wildfires, hurricanes, and flooding – so much so that nearly two-thirds of Americans – including more than half...
The 2021 IECC’s circuitous path to conclusion
Post / October 12, 2020
It’s been one year, eight months, 28 days since proposals were due into the International Code Council’s (ICC) system for consideration into the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). That doesn’t include the time proponents spent considering and drafting proposals...
Implementing Building Performance Standards: Consistency is Key
Post / September 29, 2020
A building performance standard (BPS) provides a powerful solution for cities working to meet climate goals, achieve energy savings and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As a forward-looking policy for existing buildings, a BPS commits a city or state to...
2021 Energy Code Progress Challenged: Climate and Affordability Stand to Lose Unless We Speak Up
Post / July 28, 2020
Update: See final result In December 2019, more than 1,000 government representatives from cities and states across the U.S. did something remarkable when they voted to improve the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) by 10%. Since buildings account for...
Delivering Climate Solutions From Existing Buildings: No Time to Waste
Post / July 13, 2020
With buildings accounting for up to 75% of carbon emissions in U.S. cities, addressing carbon emissions from the built environment is essential to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and limit the rise in global average temperature to below...
Improved Building Energy Model Code Challenged
Post / March 12, 2020 / Energy Codes
Update: See final result Better building codes mean lower energy bills, which results in lower costs for consumers and fewer carbon emissions for the planet. Sounds like a winning combination, right? That’s why we were delighted when the initial results...