DOE-Building Energy Codes

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))