What are building codes?

Building codes are requirements and guidelines for the construction and renovation of structures. They
range from electrical and plumbing codes to fire, structural, and energy conservation codes. If adopted
and enforced, building codes can reduce loss of life due to fire, improve structural stability in the event
of an earthquake and significantly reduce the average energy use of a home.

The U.S. has a long history of updating and enforcing building codes, especially codes that reduce
threats to life and safety. For the past few decades, we’ve also increasingly looked to codes to help
establish a minimum level of energy performance and comfort for homes. We can all agree that it’s not
good for the national economy or your household budget to spend money on heating or cooling yet
continue to be uncomfortable.

More information on building codes can be found at:

http://www.nfpa.org/categoryList.asp?categoryID=124&URL=Codes%20&%20Standards
http://inhabitat.com/how-building-codes-saved-lives-during-chiles-earthquake/
http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Donald-Marron/2010/0303/Are-Chile-s-building-codes-getting-
too-much-credit

How much does operating a home cost?

Studies show that, depending on your income bracket, your household could spend 20% of your
household budget on heating and cooling your home. When it comes to the cost of owning and
operating a home, fuel expenses are second only to property taxes. The monthly utility bill hits low
income families and households on fixed incomes the hardest. The U.S. has established a national
minimum standard for energy conservation in homes through the energy code to help address energy
costs, energy supply concerns, and environmental impacts. Now is the time to ensure that this minimum
standard is met in every home.

More information on energy costs of homes can be found at:

http://www.consumersunion.org/pub/0929%20price%20report.pdf

http://rfflibrary.wordpress.com/2011/02/11/energy-cost-impacts-on-american-families-2001-2011/

http://www.nationalfuelfunds.org/Publications/cold.pdf

http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?sectionID=734&genericContentID=35389&channelID=311

What is the current energy conservation code?

The 1992 Energy Policy Act established the national model energy conservation codes. States are
supposed to stay current with the national model codes or demonstrate to the US Department of Energy
why staying up-to-date isn’t appropriate. Every three years, the codes are updated. The IECC code (for
homes) and the ASHRAE code (for commercial buildings) are on different schedules, so the most recent
published energy code for single family homes is the 2009 IECC. (Note: The most up-to-date commercial
code is the ASHRAE 90.1-2007.) For more information on the 2009 IECC, visit http://reca-
codes.org/pages/iecc2009.html).
What is the energy code for homes in my state?
Step 1: Check the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP) map (embed OCEAN link: http://bcap-
ocean.org/code-status)

There are two maps, one for residential code adoption and one for commercial code adoption. In order
to identify the code your state has adopted for residential buildings, click on the Residential Adoption
map: (http://bcap-ocean.org/code-status-residential). The darkest color is used to indicate states that
are up-to-date with the code. Lighter colors indicate a code which may be significantly out-of-date or
where there the state has not adopted a statewide energy conservation code. (Note: a yellow asterisk
indicates where a state has adopted a code that will be phased in at a later date.)

Click on your state to learn more about the status of the residential energy conservation code in your
state. Note: Codes adopted and having a date prior to 2009 are typically outdated -- unless the code has
been evaluated and found equivalent to the national code (e.g., California). The color of the state is a
good indicator of whether the code that the state adopted meets national standards.

You may want to scroll down and click on the heading Code Adoption + Change Process. Here you can
learn more about the details of what’s happening in your state. For example, Utah adopted the 2009
IECC but replaced the residential energy conservation chapter with the chapter from 2006 while further
studies are being done. Thus, the current residential code in Utah is not up-to-date.

Step 2: My state hasn’t adopted the up-to-date code. I want to learn more and might want to get
involved, what do I do?

Need to determine what to recommend here…….

Step 3: Which energy code has been adopted by my community?

There are a few different ways to determine whether your community has adopted the 2009 IECC
energy code, but you may have to be persistent as this information isn’t always widely available or kept
up-to-date.
- Visit the website for your local building department to see whether there is information
regarding the energy conservation code that is in force.
- Visit the website for your local building department and look for “Contact Us” or similar sections
of the website where contact information is located so that you can call the building permits
office and ask which energy code has been adopted.
- Visit the website of the International Code Council and look for the status of your local
jurisdiction. Look for the column marked “IECC” and determine whether your community has
adopted the up-to-date model energy conservation code, indicated by L09:
http://www.iccsafe.org/gr/Documents/jurisdictionadoptions.pdf (Note: This website is updated
by local code officials on a voluntary basis, so the information here may not be accurate.)

Step 4: If adopted, is the energy code in my community being enforced?

Energy codes establish a minimum level of energy performance that must be met. Yet, even where up-
to-date codes have been adopted, they may not be enforced due to funding constraints, staffing
constraints, lack of training or lack of perceived value from the energy code. Simply put, builders and
code officials often aren’t aware of the benefits of energy codes and if they don’t hear from the
community, they will assume energy codes aren’t a priority.

You can use the energy code checklists on this site to assess new homes and determine whether energy
code enforcement needs more attention in your community.

Deciphering local energy codes information:

Any code with a date prior to 2009 is likely to be outdated. Some states and
communities update code requirements but don’t change the name of the code, ask
your local building department whether the current energy code is equivalent to the
2009 IECC.
A few forward-thinking states and communities adopted codes prior to 2009 that
are equivalent (or superior to) the 2009 IECC, but this is rare. If you have a
question email BCAP at bcap-ocean@ase.org
The IRC is the International Residential Code. Depending on the version of the code
and how it has been amended, it is likely to be weaker than the 2009 IECC. Contact
BCAP with questions at bcap-ocean@ase.org
The IBC is the International Building Code. It is not a substitute for the 2009 IECC
and does not establish minimum energy conservation standards for homes.
The National Electrical Code is updated every three years and establishes standards
for the safe installation of equipment and wiring. It is not a substitute for the 2009
IECC and does not establish minimum energy conservation standards for homes.

How do I support energy code adoption and/or enforcement in my state or

community?
The energy code establishes a minimum standard for energy performance of homes. Who wants to pay
for and live in a home that doesn’t meet minimum standards? Yet, codes must be enforced or they will
be ignored. Code inspectors need training and builders must be educated and held accountable for code
compliance. Multiple energy codes inspections must be performed throughout the construction of the
home in order to confirm that energy code requirements are met. To provide necessary tracking and
accountability for results, data from energy code inspections must be recorded and should be checked
against the building plans and permits paperwork that was submitted and approved prior to
construction. The bottom-line is: if a home does not meet code requirements, a certificate of occupancy
should not be issued.

BCAP coordinates national advocacy efforts through coalitions of national, state, and local organizations.
Contact us at bcap-ocean@ase.org to find out whether there is an energy codes effort underway in your
area.
Regional groups provide additional support for advocacy. Visit http://bcap-ocean.org/regional-energy-
efficiency-groups to determine which group serves your state.

Sierra Club at the national and xx levels provides advocacy and assistance --- ??

Actions You Can Take

Use the materials on this website to determine whether builders are meeting energy code requirements
in your community. Then:

Contact your local building department to discuss the results.

Contact your local and state energy office or environmental agency to discuss how energy codes
can help improve air quality, manage energy supplies and control energy costs.

Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper emphasizing the importance of energy
codes in meeting climate goals, energy management goals, control utility costs, etc. and report
on whether builders in your community are meeting energy code requirements.

Determine whether your state or community has a climate action plan or energy strategy.
Contact responsible parties to discuss the critical importance of energy codes in meeting local
and state goals and share your perspective on whether or not builders are meeting energy code
requirements.

Participate in a city council meeting or codes hearing to report on whether builders are
complying with energy code requirements.