Emerging Issues: Building Codes

Buildings are responsible for approximately 40% of U.S. energy use, 71% of U.S. electricity use, and the largest source of U.S. GHG emissions at 40% of total emissions[1]. As the regulators of building energy codes, local governments are in a uniquely powerful position to reduce GHG emissions by affecting change within the very sector that needs the greatest changes. There are many existing programs that tackle specific building energy use through green building certifications such as the USGBC’s LEED program, Build It Green’s GreenPoint Rated, and Others. However these programs do not explicitly link individual certifications to braoder GHG reduction goals. More recently, a few organizations have begun to define ways local governments can address broad climate change goals through building design and operational changes. Below is some information on a few of these approaches.

The 2030 Challenge

In 2006, Architecture 2030, a non-profit organization, initiated the 2030 Challenge, calling for all new buildings and major renovations to reduce their fossil-fuel GHG-emitting consumption by 50% by 2010, incrementally increasing the reduction for new buildings to be carbon neutral by 2030. Since the time of launch, numerous groups including many local governments, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), the U.S. Green Building Council, and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development are working to implement these ambitious targets,

Although the Architecture 2030 Challenge is supported by many organizations, in most cases implementation of the reduction targets through energy codes has yet to be realized. Until recently, there was no clear relationship between the 2030 Challenge targets and existing building energy codes. To clarify the relationship, Architecture 2030 recently released a paper that lines up the 2030 Challenge targets with several relevant building codes.

For local governments looking to implement the 2030 Challenge, this paper provides an invaluable summary of what requirements are needed within a set of common building codes to meet or exceed the initial 50% reduction target of the 2030 Challenge. With this document, local governments looking to meet the 2030 Challenge have clear guidance on how to amend their current building energy codes. For example, California’s Title 24 standard is included in this document. Based on Architecture 2030’s code equivalents, new residential and commercial buildings will need to reduce energy consumption over Title 24 standards by 15-20% and 10% respectively.

30% Solution

A proposal is being circulated to include in the impending 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) requirements that new home construction achieve 30% energy efficiency improvement. This would bring the baseline for the IECC codes into line with Architecture 2030’s ambitious 2030 Challenge targets. This new proposal, also known as the 30% Solution, will have significant impact on environmental and economic values of new homes as it will make nearly one million new homes built in the U.S. each year 30% more energy efficient than those built to the current 2006 IECC standard. According to the 30% solution group, this will result in a dramatic reduction in both energy use and greenhouse gas emissions of new residential construction. Additionally, the new standard is estimated to yield $88 billion in consumer savings.

The 30% Solution boosts energy efficiency in most of the parts of new homes that are subject to code requirements including, space heating and cooling (including ducts), thermal envelope, air sealing, hot water heating and lighting.

Some of the specifics include increased insulation throughout the building, tight air sealing of the building envelope, more efficient HVAC duct work, and installation of at least 50% of all light bulbs to be energy efficient bulbs.

As noted above the The 30% Solution is currently just a proposal before the IECC. This proposal will be put to a vote by the International Code Council (ICC) on September 21-22nd in Minneapolis. Only members of the ICC who are physically present can vote on this landmark proposal. By adopting the new and improved standard, the ICC can, in a single vote, boost the 2009 IECC by 30% over the current IECC thus setting a higher benchmark for new energy efficient homes throughout the country. As this proposal will have a significant and positive effect on local governments’ existing building codes, it is pertinent that local governments get involved and support the adoption of the 30% Solution. Building officials throughout the country are by and large members of the ICC. If this is an important issue to your community, consider sending your building officials to this important meeting so they can support the 30% solution.

Learn more at the 30% Solution website: http://www.thirtypercentsolution.org/