Energy Codes

Energy codes allow for energy efficiency improvements in buildings and homes in our communities. Check out our collection of energy codes resources below.

The Latest

The Energy Code Voting Process Has Begun. Is Your City Ready? 

The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) sets the minimum energy efficiency standards for commercial and residential buildings. No matter what town or city you are in, it likely enforces a version of the IECC—most cities and states adopt the IECC as is, or a version that is based on the code. This means updates to … Continued

Why Building Codes Make Our Cities and Communities More Resilient

The number, frequency, and intensity of disasters affecting U.S. cities is growing. From floods and fires to sub-zero cold snaps and extreme heat, it seems like every week we are provided with another example of why communities need more tools to ensure they are more resilient, prepared for weather-related disruptions, and can quickly recover. The … Continued

Energy Code Dispatch: Moving Cities Forward on Code Compliance

Last month in Austin, Texas, where the LEDs at night are big and bright, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) hosted the 2018 National Energy Codes Conference. Over the course of three days and twenty sessions, more than 230 attendees uncovered the current state of building energy codes and offered new ideas, tools, modifications, and … Continued

Evaluating Energy Code Compliance in Cities

The City Energy Project Code Compliance Assessment Methodology for Medium and Large Cities is designed to assist medium to large cities in identifying residential and commercial energy code compliance issues and help identify the areas that each jurisdiction should focus on in order to improve their compliance rates. The methodology provides an informal energy code … Continued

Do Energy Codes Work?

Preliminary results from the largest residential energy code field study ever conducted.

Linking Building Energy Codes With Benchmarking and Disclosure Policies

Building energy efficiency is widely recognized as the most cost-effective way to reduce reliance on non-renewable fuel sources and avoid the costly development of more power plants. Two key policy mechanisms available to assist with reducing building energy consumption are energy codes and benchmarking and disclosure policies. While building energy codes have been around since … Continued

Energy Efficient Residential Construction

What to expect under the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code Building Officials descended upon Atlantic City, New Jersey in October to attend the International Code Council’s (ICC) Public Comment Hearings and decide the final version of the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The IECC is updated every three years and serves as the national … Continued

Building Energy Codes: Creating Safe, Resilient, and Energy-Efficient Homes

Building energy codes establish minimum requirements for the elements within a building that impact energy consumption. The obvious benefit of buying a new home built in compliance with current energy codes is the energy cost savings for the homeowner. However, there are other significant benefits that come with the purchase of a home built in … Continued