NBI Helps Decision Makers Prepare for the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) Update

The 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) update is one of the most profound ways states and local governments can improve the comfort and health of residents, reduce costs for building owners and residents, and make progress toward climate action goals. Updated every three years, the IECC sets minimum energy efficiency standards for commercial and residential buildings. The decisions made during the update set the stage for how buildings will operate for decades to come.

Sometime between November 13-27, 2019, representatives from states and local governments will participate in the 2021 IECC update by casting online votes for proposals. Whether this is your first time voting on the IECC update or you’re a seasoned veteran, the online voting process can be overwhelming and time consuming. Most eligible voters don’t make it through the entire list, which includes hundreds of proposals. If you only have 30 minutes or an hour to cast your votes, what should you prioritize?

New Buildings Institute (NBI) is working with national partners to identify a list of Top Proposals to help eligible voters prioritize the energy efficiency and climate proposals that stand to have the greatest impact. This will be published after the IECC hearings scheduled to begin this weekend. If you’re planning to participate in the upcoming IECC update but don’t have time to take a deep dive into building code language, join us for an interactive webinar set for November 6, 2019, from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Pacific (12:30-2:00 p.m. Eastern). You’ll leave the webinar with the basic information you’ll need to vote in November, as well as resources to help guide you along the way.

During this 90-minute webinar, code experts from NBI and EECC will provide an overview of the national energy code landscape and explain why voting in the IECC is so critical. They’ll explain how to interpret the 2021 IECC Top Proposals checklist and fact sheet, and highlight the most important energy efficiency and climate proposals — those that have the greatest potential to reduce energy use and carbon emissions in residential and commercial buildings by at least 10%. That way, if you only have an hour to vote, you’ll know where to focus.

Become an informed IECC voter

Visit our 2021 IECC landing page in early November to download the 2021 IECC Voters’ Guide for both the residential and commercial code update.
Go here to register for the webinar. All who register for the November 6th webinar will receive a link to the 2021 IECC Voters’ Guide and a link to the recording of the webinar.

Have questions? Feel free to reach out to Amy Cortese, NBI Director of Programs, at [email protected].

Not a voting member? Urge your local decision makers to vote for efficiency

This November, urge your local leaders to participate in this once-every-three-year opportunity to vote for stronger efficiency in codes. Share the 2021 IECC Top Proposal checklist and voting guides. Ask them to leverage their decision making power to make positive change by voting in the 2021 IECC update taking place November 13-27, 2019.