Building Energy Codes

Compliance with building energy codes presents one of the most cost-effective ways of reducing building energy consumption in new construction and substantial building renovation. A "stretch" or "reach" energy code can give communities the option to attain even greater energy efficiency. Find out why implementing a "stretch" code may ensure greater energy savings than adopting a green building rating system. Rating Systems vs. "Stretch" Building Energy Codes (pdf)

Training

NEEP maintains training expertise in energy conservation and Recovery Act (ARRA) compliance. We can provide the training material, and can offer instructors when necessary.

We provide presentations on energy codes compliance for residential and commercial buildings, including important differences between the IECC model code and its ASHRAE 90.1 commercial counterpart. These presentations include the building science behind the model codes requirements, and advanced energy-saving construction techniques and equipment that further reduce our energy dependence. Training is also developed for the use of DOE energy compliance software.

Recent Trainings

*NEW* Northeast HERS Alliance Training: Preparing for the 2012 IECC (Residential) - February 2012

Massachusetts Commercial Energy Codes Update and Comparison - November 2011

Rhode Island Train-the-Trainer Seminar - October 2011:
Day 1: Training RI's Residential Energy Code Requirements
Day 2: Training RI's Commercial Energy Code Requirements

Vermont Residential/Commercial Building Energy Standards Training - September 2011

The RESCheck Option - Compliance with 2009 IECC

Rhode Island Residential Energy Code Training - February 2011

Rhode Island Commercial Energy Code Training - March 2011

Delaware Residential Energy Code Training - April 2011

Delaware Commercial Energy Code Training - April 2011

Code Development

NEEP actively participates in the ICC national model code change process, and monitors the ASHRAE standards process for important developments. NEEP authors energy code change proposals for every 3 year cycle, both directly and as an active member of the Energy Efficient Codes Coalition (EECC), a group of national and regional stakeholders in energy efficiency compliance.

Technical Assistance

Upon request, NEEP provides technical information to assist state building energy code update and adoption processes. NEEP services include research and analysis, information transfer between states, surveys of best practices and participation in technical forums. NEEP also helps states participate in national building energy code development processes by researching, recommending and tracking changes to model energy codes that address the needs and issues of Northeast and mid-Atlantic states.

More Information

For more information on training and technical assistance opportunities, please contact NEEP's Building Energy Codes Project Manager, Don Vigneau at 781-860-9177 ext. 136 or email at dvigneau@neep.org. For information on advocacy and code adoption, please contact Allison Webster, Building Energy Policy Associate at 781-860-9177 ext. 126 or email at awebster@neep.org.

Prioritizing energy efficiency

Using energy efficiently is the fastest, most cost-effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat global climate change.

Achieving greater energy efficiency through "stretch" building energy codes

Compliance with building energy codes presents one of the most cost-effective ways of reducing building energy consumption in new construction and substantial building renovation, including building additions. To achieve even greater energy efficiency, states can adopt a "stretch" energy code to supplement their base building energy code. This gives communities the option to adopt a more stringent enforceable code that is at least 20 percent more energy efficient than the base state code.

Annual Energy Savings and Carbon Emissions Reductions in 2020

Building Type	Energy Savings (trillion BTUs)	Equivalent #of Homes	CO2 Emissions Reductions (million metric tons)	Equivalent # of Cars
Residential	63	525,000	3.7	1.85 million
Commercial	104	850,000	5.0	2.5 million
These savings come from adopting and fully implementing energy codes across the region that are 30% more energy efficient than the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code. Once the region reaches net-zero energy level, the annual savings will be much higher.

NEEP's Model Progressive Building Energy Codes Policy offers recommendations to adopt progressively more efficient building energy codes, improve the rate at which buildings and dwellings comply with the code and measure the actual energy performance of buildings and dwellings. It provides guidance to states in creating and adopting building policies that will lead to large-scale energy and carbon emissions savings across the region.

Learn more by downloading the complete Model Policy Paper or the Fact Sheet here. Read the press release in our news room.

More Information

For more information on training and technical assistance opportunities, please contact NEEP's Building Energy Codes Project Manager., Don Vigneau at 781-860-9177 ext. 136. or email at dvigneau@neep.org. For information on advocacy and code adoption, please contact Allison Webster, Building Energy Policy Associate at 781-860-9177 ext. 126 or email at awebster@neep.org.

STATUS OF BUILDING ENERGY CODES IN NORTHEAST AND MID-ATLANTIC STATES

Updated January 2012

NEEP's Building Codes team provides expert advice and technical assistance to states throughout the region to help implement and improve building energy codes.

STATE	RESIDENTIAL CODE	COMMERCIAL CODE	LAST UPDATE	CYCLE	RESPONSIBLE STATE AGENCY
Connecticut	2009 IECC	2009 IECC with reference to ASHRAE 90.1-2007	Adopted Sept 27, 2011	Not more than every 4 years	Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
Delaware	2009 IECC	ASHRAE 90.1-2007	Effective July 1, 2010	No set schedule. New legislation considered in January of each year.	Delaware Energy Office
District of Columbia	2006 IECC - incorporates the "30% Solution". Therefore more stringent than 2009 IECC.	ASHRAE 90.1-2007 with amendments	Effective October 10, 2008	The 2006 D.C. Green Building Act requires that updated building codes be submitted to the City Council by Jan 1, 2010 and again every three years thereafter.	D.C. Energy Office
Maine	Building and/or Energy Code is an opt-in code for towns with pop. size <4000	2006 IECC - ASHRAE 90.1-2007 optional	Local Opt-In Code signed into law June 24, 2011 (LD 1416)	No set schedule. Statewide energy requirements may be modified or changed by legislative action at the state level; changes may be proposed whenever the legislature is in session.	Maine Public Utilities Commission
Maryland	2012 IECC	2012 IECC with reference to ASHRAE 90.1-2010	Effective Jan 1, 2012	Every 3 years (Corresponding to the ICC change cycle)	MD Department Of Housing and Community Development
Massachusetts	2009 IECC, with MA amendments ("Stretch Code")	2009 IECC or ASHRAE 90.1-2007	Effective July 1, 2010	MA is required by the 2008 Green Communities Act to adopt each new IECC edition within one year of its publication.	MA State Board Of Building Regulations and Standards
New Hampshire	2009 IECC	2009 IECC	Effective April 1, 2010	Every 3 years	NH Public Utilities Commission
New Jersey	2009 IECC, with minor modifications	ASHRAE 90.1-2007, with minor modifications	Adopted September 7, 2010 Effective September 7, 2010 with six month grace period	Every 3 years (Corresponding to the ICC change cycle)	NJ Department of Community Affairs
New York	2009 IECC, with NY amendments	2009 IECC with NY amendments or ASHRAE 90.1-2007	Effective December 28, 2010	Code can be revised at any time. The State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council meets at least four times a year to consider revisions to the code.	New York Department of State
Pennsylvania	2009 IECC, 2009 IRC or PA alternative	2009 IECC with reference to ASHRAE 90.1-2007	Effective December 31, 2009	Every 3 years (Corresponding to the ICC change cycle)	PA Department of Labor and Industry
Rhode Island	2009 IECC	2009 IECC with reference to ASHRAE 90.1-2007	Effective July 1, 2010	Every 3 years (Corresponding to the ICC change cycle)	RI Department of Administration
Vermont	2009 IECC	2004 IECC with amendments to include ASHRAE 90.1-2004	RBES Adopted July 1, 2011 Effective Oct 1, 2011 Commercial - Effective January 1, 2007	Every 3 years	VT Department of Public Service

More Information

	Resource	Description
	ASHRAE Conference - State Code Adoption and Implementation Presentation	A presentation by NEEP's Carolyn Sarno covering code adoption and implementation at the state level and a detailed look at NEEP's Model Progressive Building Energy Code Policy white paper.
	NEEP Comments on PA's 2012 IECC Adoption	NEEP is pleased to offer the following submitted comments in support of the unamended adoption of the 2012 IECC in Pennsylvania.
	MA Energy Code Compliance Pilot Study Report	Over the past year, the DOE's Building Energy Codes Program (BECP) and the five national energy efficiency partnerships (EEPs) funded eight energy code compliance evaluation pilot studies in nine states designed to measure code compliance based on BECP procedures and tools. The pilot studies were intended to help states in their compliance efforts, while at the same time providing valuable insight into the effectiveness of these tools and suggestions for their improvement. The pilot studies concluded June 30, 2011, and the results are being compiled in a BECP final report.
	Enhancing Energy Code Compliance in Rhode Island	The following white paper examines how code compliance rates can be improved in Rhode Island through third party enforcement. Lessons learned in Maine, Virginia, and Washington are detailed.
	NEEP Comments on DOE’s Commercial Building Asset Rating Program	NEEP submitted the following comments in response to DOE's request for information (RFI) on its proposed National Asset Rating Program for commercial buildings.
	Proposed MD Energy Code Change	NEEP's proposed change to the 2012 IECC seeks to clarify the inspections sequencing for air sealing and insulation and is intended to reduce probable errors and additional contractor expenses. This revision has already been adopted into the new Vermont Residential Building Energy Standards (RBES).
	Letter in Support of Maryland's 2012 IECC Adoption	NEEP's letter in support of the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) proposal to update the Maryland Building Performance Standards (MBPS) to reference the 2012 International Code Council (ICC) codes series, including the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (2012 IECC).
	Presentations & Notes - Oct 27 Building Energy Codes Working Group Meeting	See all the presentations and discussion points from this year's annual in-person Building Energy Codes Working Group Meeting (Oct 27, 2011 - Hartford, CT).
	NEEP Comments on PA's 2012 IECC Adoption	NEEP is pleased to offer the following submitted comments in support of the unamended adoption of the 2012 IECC in Pennsylvania.
	Building Energy Codes Resource Guide for Policy Makers	Read DOE's latest resource guide on building energy codes specifically for policy makers.
	Guidance & Checklist for Real Estate Professionals	These resources provide guidance on understanding and marketing the value of energy efficient homes and include a checklist to help real estate professionals identify home energy efficiency attributes and the expected savings/benefits worth calling out to prospective home buyers and sellers.
	Printable Checklist for Real Estate Professionals	Convenient for bringing to a showing, the checklist can be printed double-sided on 2 pages of legal-sized paper.
	Letter to DOE in support of financing code books: 2012 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1 2010	The following letter was signed by NEEP and 13 other organizations in support of continuing DOE's decision to finance downloads and hard copies of both the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code and ASHRAE 90.1 2010. This type of support from DOE is critical to the advancement of building efficiency nationwide as it ensures that code officials have continued access to code updates and knowledge.
	May 31st Webinar Slides - DOE's Building Energy Codes Program (BECP) Overview	NEEP and DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) co-hosted a one-hour webinar or May 31st, detailing the many free resources available through DOE's Building Energy Codes Program (BECP). Download the presentation slides to the left, or watch the recorded webinar by clicking here (please fast forward to minute 1:20 for sound).
	NEEP Best Practices White Paper to ME's TBECB	NEEP recommends the following comprehensive organization changes and best practices be taken into consideration by the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and its Technical Building and Energy Code Board (TBECB) regarding the Maine building and fire safety codes. Many of these recommendations would require revisions to existing state laws.
	Implications of Repealing the Energy Code in Maine	The following document provides an overview of implications if Maine's building energy code (MUBEC) is repealed or if the State reverts to local option code adoption.
	NEEP's Testimony in Opposition of ME's LD 43	In April 2011, NEEP presented testimony against LD 43. If passed, LD 43 would repeal the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code (MUBEC), reversing years of progress and leaving the State's economy and built environment more vulnerable.
	NEEP's Testimony Against PA's HB 725	NEEP submitted written testimony against HB 725 (an act amending the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act) in April 2011. HB 725 weakens Pennsylvania's reputation as a national leader in energy efficiency and building safety, as well as deters economic growth and job creation for the state.
	NEEP's Testimony in Favor of CT's Raised Bill 6544	NEEP testified in March 2011 before the Connecticut General Assembly's Energy and Technology Committee on Raised Bill 6544 (An Act Concerning Energy Efficiency), which, among other things, would establish a system for rating and disclosure of residential and commercial building energy performance in the state. The bill would also allow for communities in Connecticut to adopt ENERGY STAR as a residential "stretch" energy code as a local option.
	Model Progressive Building Energy Codes Policy for the Northeast States	The Northeast region can reduce energy consumption by 7 percent and reduce carbon emissions by 12 percent by implementing a model building energy code policy to govern new building construction and major renovations.The policy, recently released by NEEP, offers recommendations to adopt progressively more efficient building energy codes, improve the rate at which buildings and dwellings comply with the code and measure the actual energy performance of buildings and dwellings. It provides guidance to states in creating and adopting building policies that will lead to large-scale energy and carbon emissions savings across the Northeast.
	NEEP's Model Progressive Codes Fact Sheet	This is two-page summary of the Model Progressive Building Energy Codes Policy.
	Rating Systems vs. “Stretch” Building Energy Codes	A one-page handout about maximizing energy efficiency through building standards, explores the difference between using "stretch" building codes vs. rating systems like LEED to achieve greater energy efficiency.
	Two-page summary of the Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code
	• Appendix 120 AA - The Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code
	Third Party Inspection for Enforcing the Building Energy Codes	Describes how to implement a Specialized Inspector system for energy code enforcement. Includes examples from Washington State and Fairfax County, VA.
	CP-28 ICC Code Adoption Process White Paper	NEEP recognizes that the ICC CP-28 hearings policy that now works successfully for most code changes can be modified slightly to prevent any unforeseen conflicts. Therefore, NEEP proposes a small but significant modification to the hearings policy procedures; a change that could bring consistency to all code requirements in as little as a single code cycle.
	Comments regarding National Energy Rating Program for Homes Request for Information	NEEP commends DOE on the inclusion of the guiding principles in the program and makes several suggestions relating to site vs source energy as the consumption metric, asset rating vs. operational rating.
	DOE NERP RFI comment letter	NEEP has responded to DOE's National Energy Rating Program Request for Information. Comments are based on implications for whole home, low income, multifamily, and high rise resisdential efficiency programs, financing products and mechanisms, and informaiton gathered through the report Valuing Building Energy Efficiency through Upgrade and Disclosure Policies
	NEEP Comments to U.S. DOE on Request for Information related to Docket EERE-2010-BT-BC-0012, Building Energy Codes	In NEEP's view, there are several problems or barriers to improved code compliance that need to be addressed, but the overarching barrier to improved code compliance is a lack of self-sustaining funding in the states to address these problems.
	Washington ECC Certification for Inspectors 1997	The Washington State Energy Code: Certification for Inspectors and Plan Reviewers for the Non-Residential Energy Code