There have been some changes in energy efficency in the new 2009 IECC. Many think that the new President is making lots of strides to improve green building and he may. But the fact is the Department of Energy has been working on this for years. Here is a update from October 2008. This is directly from the DOE website.

Improving the IECC^® – DOE’s 30% Residential Codes Initiative
DOE’s 30% Residential Codes Initiative is focused on reducing the energy consumption of International Energy Conservation Code^® (IECC) compliant homes by 30%, relative to the 2006 IECC, by the year 2012.

BECP staff attended the 2008 International Code Council^® (ICC) Final Action Hearings, in September 2008 in Minnesota. Prior to the hearings, BECP staff developed talking points and other materials to facilitate DOE’s testimony. At the hearings, BECP residential experts provided technical backup and assistance with testimony as needed.

The Final Action Hearings – the first of three opportunities to effect change on the way to DOE’s 2012 goal – marked the end of a very successful code development cycle. When incorporated into the 2009 IECC, approved proposals will result in energy savings totaling at least 15 percent, and perhaps as much as 18 to 20 percent, as compared to the 2006 IECC. The 2009 IECC represents an increase in energy efficiency that is unprecedented in IECC history.

The most impactful approved code change proposal, submitted by DOE, requires pressure testing in residential construction to verify duct sealing. This change alone is estimated to reduce energy consumption in new American homes by an average of 8 to 12 percent. Looking forward, BECP’s residential team is working on code change proposals for the 2010 Supplement to the IECC, including delivering for DOE’s review a draft proposal to limit west-facing glazing.
For more information on results and implications of the hearings, see BECP’s article Decoding ICC Decisions.

End of article from DOE.

The DOE is making great strides to improving energy efficency. This takes time and resources to keep moving forward. Check out the Departmant of Energy site often for updates.

Preorder the new 2009 code books from the link in the next post or from here.

2009 International Building Code: Looseleaf Version (International Building Code (Looseleaf))

2009 International Energy Conservation Code: Softcover Version (International Energy Conservation Code (Paper))

Over the past year I have been researching many green blogs and I have found some very interesting information. Most of the green bloggers really do a great job of presenting their views of working toward a greener lifestyle or representing some great green products. But I have also come across some ideas or product representation that could be misinterpreted, unsafe or against local building codes. If people contact them to consult or provide more information they may provide better info but in their blog post they are lacking in proper information.

One example I came across the other day was describing how to install a vegetation green roof. The post was very informative, with great pictures and the concept is well represented. But the part that was lacking, in my observation, was the integrity of the roof system. Roofs are designed to hold the weight of themselves and localized weight of snow or rain. Nowhere in the post did it say the roof system should have weight bearing calculation to see if can hold up the additional weight from additional substrate, soil, rocks, vegetation and moisture held in the soil.

Adding additional substrate, several inches of soil, rock, vegetation and then watering it all down could add considerable weight per square foot. The roof was probably not designed for this. I am sure if this company was contracted to complete the work they would surly check this. But home owners get ideas from blogs, books and other sources to do themselves and without explaining this weight problem could result in a collapsed roof and possible injury.

I urge anyone looking to add, change, remodel, remove or upgrade any product in their home to study any complication that may arise. Check local building code to be sure they are in compliance of the local codes. I have seen first hand where homeowners decided to add a door or window in a load bearing wall and did not understand that the wall was holding something up and resulted in additional damage to the home. I have seen hot tubs go right through a deck that was not properly supported.

I could go on with many examples but the key is to now everything there is to know about your project before starting. Also never rely on just one article you find on the internet. Look for other articles on similar applications or ask a professional before beginning with a new project.