Puerto Rico Fact Sheet
Building Energy Codes
Setting the Floor for Energy Efficiency
N
ew buildings account for two-thirds of
electricity use and one-third of total
energy use in the United States. They also
represent a unique opportunity for energy savings.
The most cost-effective point in the life of a build-
ing for establishing energy efficiency elements is
during design and construction. If the US is going
to make progress in reducing both energy costs and
global warming emissions, it is critical that energy
efficiency become a fundamental part of the design
and construction process for all new buildings.
Energy codes ensure that up-to-date construction
practices are incorporated into the design and
construction of new buildings. They establish
efficiency requirements of new buildings, lower
peak energy demand, and reduce air pollution and
greenhouse gas emissions. With growing concerns
over the cost and availability of energy resources
and the reliability of energy distribution, energy
codes provide an excellent starting point for cost-
effective policies that capture energy savings.
There are significant benefits to be achieved by up-
dating the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico’s energy
code.
Consumer Benefits
• Puerto Rican consumers will save money by
reducing utility bills, minimizing the costs of
energy resources in short supply, and conserving
available resources. Retail and office buildings
constructed to meet the requirements of the IECC
can be 30-40% more energy efficient than typical
buildings that are not constructed to meet the en-
ergy code.
• Monetary savings derived from codes increase
a consumer's purchasing power, ultimately helping
to expand the Puerto Rican economy. Reduced de-
mand for energy prices also helps to lower prices,
further increasing purchasing power.
Updated 09/25/08
Builder and Code Official Benefits
• The IECC simplifies guidelines for builders,
providing one uniform statewide code and multiple
options for compliance.
• Uniformity throughout Puerto Rico and its 78
municipios (municipalities) will enable localities to
pool limited resources and combine personnel to
form regional enforcement and educational
programs.
• Energy code compliance approaches offer flexi-
bility to Puerto Rican builders and designers, al-
lowing them to optimize the cost-effectiveness of
energy efficient features in their products, and to
satisfy the variety of consumer preferences.
Utility and Environmental Benefits
• An energy code improves the energy efficiency
performance of all new buildings and reduces de-
mand on power generators, therefore improving the
air quality of local communities and throughout the
state.
• Electricity usage is one of the leading genera-
tors of local, regional, and global air pollution.
With increasing power demand, there is an increase
in emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides and
carbon dioxide. Energy codes are proven to be one
of the most cost-effective means by which to
achieve environmental and health benefits.
1850 M St. NW Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
www.bcap-energy.org
A More Efficient Energy Code for Puerto Rico!

P
uerto Rico’s current energy code (the Code
for Energy Conservation in Puerto Rico,
based on ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-1989) is
mandatory for residential and commercial buildings
— but the code is outdated.
Reasons to Update the Puerto Rican Energy Code
Since the mid-1980s, construction has been one of
the most dynamic sectors in Puerto Rico's economy.
The construction industry has grown faster than most
other sectors, helping to sustain the overall economy.
While the number of construction permits issued and
the number and value of new housing units have
Photo: PREPA oil-fired power plant in Aguirre, PR
fallen, there are still opportunities to realize cost-
effective energy savings for the Commonwealth in are expected to remain tight over the next 6 months
this sector. due to sluggish production growth, crude oil prices
are expected to increase to $120 per barrel by April
Projected Increase in Population
2009, before declining to $106 per barrel by year’s
There are 3.96 million people in Puerto Rico. With a end. Overall, oil prices are projected to average
rate of 1,127 people per square mile, it is more $112 per barrel in both 2008 and 2009. As electric-
densely populated than any of the 50 United States. ity providers continue to pass along these increased
By 2025, Puerto Rico’s population is projected to costs, residential electricity prices are expected to
increase at a growth rate of 3.9%, adding approxi- grow by 6.2 percent this year and 9.4 percent in
mately 1.5 million people who will need housing and 2009.
use more resources. Uncertain Energy Reserve Capacity
Decrease in Job Growth In addition to the rising cost of oil, Puerto Rico Elec-
If San Juan were a county on the mainland, it would tric Power Authority (PREPA), Puerto Rico’s pri-
have the fifth lowest job growth (among 325 U.S. mary electricity provider, reports virtually no reserve
counties with employment of 75,000 and up). In ad- capacity due to a fire at an electricity plant in 2007.
dition, weekly wages in Puerto Rico are lower than This means that the population is vulnerable to black-
the national average. With unemployment up and outs should other parts of the electricity system fail.
low wages, potential energy savings from an updated
Cost Savings
building energy code could be put to good use by
After a building is constructed, it is very expensive
households in a struggling economy.
and often impossible to achieve the energy efficiency
Rise in Energy Cost
that can be economically integrated at the time of
Energy expenditures in Puerto Rico in 2006 were
construction. In a period of decreasing job growth
split between the commercial sector ($1.78 billion)
rates, weekly wages less than the national average,
and the residential sector ($1.28 billion). 72% of
projected population growth, and higher energy
Puerto Rico’s electricity is generated by oil, 15% by
costs, energy savings that result from updating en-
natural gas, and 13% by modified coal. All of Puerto
ergy codes will ease the pain of current economic,
Rico’s oil is imported. The island consumes around
energy, and environmental challenges.
222,000 barrels of imported oil a day (mainly for
transport and electricity generation). As oil markets For more information please consult the Building Codes Assis-
tance Project website at www.bcap-energy.org.

1850 M St. NW Suite 600

Washington, DC 20036
www.bcap-energy.org