Building energy codes help region increase efficiency
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As the Northeast prepares to deal with record heating oil and natural gas prices throughout the winter of 2005/2006, building energy codes can help the region achieve much needed savings through efficiency.
Comprehensive energy conservation codes establish "minimum" regulatory energy efficiency requirements for construction projects including new building, remodeling and renovations. "Beyond code" programs require that the energy efficiency of building projects exceed the minimum code requirement by a given percent.
Energy codes can help reduce peak winter energy demands through the more efficient use of energy in new buildings and better efficiency in older building that are renovated or remodeled with more energy efficient building components. Codes also help address the goals of state energy plans and climate change plans through the use of higher efficient mechanical and lighting systems that reduce environmental emissions and the demands on electric and gas infrastructures.
NEEP's Northeast Regional Building Energy Codes Project (BECP) aims to achieve significant energy savings in the Northeast states through up-to-date building energy codes that meet or exceed national model energy code requirements, and to attain a high level of energy code compliance (75 percent or better).
Guided by a regional advisory committee since 1998, the BECP works with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), state agencies, utilities, energy efficiency program administrators and other stakeholders to achieve project goals. The BECP plays an active role in facilitating the adoption and implementation of progressive energy codes in the Northeast states through a strategy that:
- Promotes the development, adoption and implementation of science based, progressive building energy codes designed for clear and consistent interpretation and implementation.
- Provides training and technical support so that the marketplace understands the code requirements and how to implement them.
- Facilitates access to resources to help states effectively develop and implement building energy codes.
- Links building energy codes with programs that promote technologies and best practices beyond code requirements as part of an overall strategy to transform the market for energy efficient design and construction.
Code status in Northeast
All the Northeast states have energy codes based on various national models. Currently the Maryland, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Maine energy codes are based on the 2003 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with state modifications. Delaware, the District of Columbia, New Hampshire and New York energy codes are based on the 2000 IECC. Massachusetts and New Jersey have energy codes are based on older models but are in the process of updating. Vermont's residential provisions are based on the 2000 IECC and the commercial provisions are based on the 2004 IECC Supplement. New York is in the process of updating to an energy code based on the 2004 IECC Supplement with state specific modifications.
NEEP provides technical assistance on a state and local level for the adoption of these energy codes. On a national level, NEEP works with parties interested in the evaluation of proposed changes and modification to the national model codes including those developed by the International Code Council (ICC) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
Energy efficiency provisions
The IECC contains code provisions for both residential and commercial buildings that enable the efficient use of energy by regulating the building envelope, mechanical systems, electrical systems and service water heating systems. The building envelope requirements focus on air sealing, minimum insulation levels, and efficient glazing. The mechanical specifications address equipment efficiency, HVAC controls and heating and cooling distribution. The electrical provisions deal with wattage limits for interior and exterior lighting and controls for efficient lighting usage. Finally, the service water heating requirements address water heating efficiency and hot water distribution.
Code determinations
The model codes developed by the ICC function on an eighteen-month code development cycle. Full model codes are published every three years and code supplements are published in between. The 18-month code development cycle makes it possible to updated codes to allow for the use of new materials, new building technologies and new energy efficient designs. Code hearing schedules are published on the ICC Web site.
The Energy Conservation and Production Act establishes a role for the DOE to determine whether revisions to the 1995 Model Energy Code (succeeded by IECC) or the ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-1989 (succeeded by Standard 90.1-1999) would improve energy efficiency in residential and commercial buildings, respectively. There is a concern that updated 2006 IECC and International Residential Code (IRC) energy provisions would allow for less energy efficient construction in Northern climate zones than the 2003 code requirements. Until final determination is made and reported by the DOE, states looking to adopt the 2006 IECC and the 2006 IRC will need to evaluate how the changes in the energy code requirements affect energy efficiency in their climate zones.
Compliance
In the Northeast, building energy codes are typically adopted on a statewide basis. Local building officials have the authority to enforce the energy efficiency provisions of the code. The enforcement process includes a review of building plans to verify that the building design incorporates the minimum energy efficiency code requirements. It also requires a series of site inspections to verify that construction techniques and product installation practices meet the energy code requirements.
One of the best ways to promote compliance with the energy code is to educate building officials, designers, architects, contractors and builders about the requirements of the code and the reasons for the incorporation of key energy efficiency provisions within the code. All of the Northeast states are involved with the process of planning, developing, scheduling or presenting regional and state specific code training programs. NEEP develops local training resources for code and beyond code programs through "train-the-trainer" workshops. Staff also works with local and national groups to develop state specific code training programs.
The future of codes
As energy efficiency and conservation technologies advance, energy code requirements will also need to advance. The largest challenge in the future of codes is balancing the increase of basic energy code requirements with the current available energy efficient technologies and the costs and environmental impacts of meeting the heating and cooling loads of the Northeast.
There are many good resources to learn more about energy code requirements, implementation and enforcement, including:
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships
International Code Council
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers
U.S. Department of Energy Building Energy Codes
Building Code Assistance Project
For more information about NEEP's Building Energy Codes Project, please contact Doug Schanne or Kevin Donahue.
