Join our network. Make change happen.USA
Code Development
| Summary |
Summary
In the United States, the national model energy codes began in 1975, with ASHRAE Standard 90-75. Model energy codes are developed by two private sector organizations: the American Society for Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the International Codes Council. ASHRAE focusses mainly on commercial codes, while the ICC mainly facilitates development of residential codes. States adopt model codes, at which point they become standards. |
| Start Year |
Exact Start Year
1 975
Start Year Range
< 1980
|
| Revision Schedule |
Yes, a revision schedule exists
Revision Schedule Explanation
National model codes are updated on a three year cycle. |
| Existing Code Coverage |
Commercial
Residential
|
| Stakeholder Engagement |
Stakeholder Engagement
Working group
Technical Committee
Websites
Public Meeting or Conference or Newsletter
|
| Best Practices |
New Buildings
Existing Buildings
|
Code Implementation - Compliance & Enforcement
| Administrative/Enforcement Structures |
Enforcement model: a mix of approaches. In the United States, administration and enforcement of energy codes is typically the responsibility of state or local governments. The most common structure is that the state adopts the code, but the local government enforces it. However, there are cases where local governments adopt their own codes and cases where the state enforces the code within the state. There is a role for private sector/third party enforcement in some jurisdictions. |
| Compliance Checking on Design |
Yes, compliance is checked on Design
|
| Compliance Checking on Construction |
Yes, compliance is checked on Construction
|
| Compliance Checking on Pre-Occupancy | |
| Air Tightness testingy |
Yes, Air Tightness is tested
|
| Commissioning before occupancy |
Yes, commissioning is happening before occupancy
|
| Commissioning after occupancy | |
| Compliance Software Residential | NA, Check Country Information Sheet for details |
| Compliance Software Non-Residential |
Yes, Software exists
|
| Penalties for non-compliance |
Refusal Permission to construct
Refusal Permission to occupy
Other
Other penalties
Some jurisdictions impose fines
Builders may have posted bond forfeited if the building does not achieve energy targets. |
| Incentives and Recognition program for compliance |
Incentives and Recognition program for compliance
Awards/Grants/Tax Breaks
Finance/Loans/Ratings
Utility programs offer money in exchange for particular improvements to buildings. The property assessed clean energy (PACE) program helps pay for renovations and other programs for offering lower interest rate loans for energy efficient construction. There are also a number of programs like Energy Star in commercial buildings that essentially offer recognition for improved building performance. |
| Compliance Rate monitoringe |
Yes, it exists
A recent study conducted by DOE is available at: http://www.energycodes.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Compliance%20Pilot%20Studies%20Final%20Report.pdf. |
| Compliance Rate Publicised |
Yes, it exists
Studies available online for individual states. See for example, the results of 4 compliance studies conducted for the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) in Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon at http://neea.org/initiatives/codes-standards/codes/code-compliance. |
| Compliance Lessons Learned |
Yes, it exists
Results of compliance studies are used to provide directed training. DOE is conducting a project designed to figure out the cost-effectiveness of training, education and outreach. |
| Compliance Energy Use Statistics |
Yes, it exists
Assessment methodology is available at: www.energycodes.gov/compliance. Statistics on residential permitting are available at: http://censtats.census.gov/ |
| Compliance Rate in % | NA, Check Country Information Sheet for details |
Capacity Building and Education
| Awareness Raising |
Awareness raising
Resourse kits
Compliance Training
Online resources -
Professional Curriculum
DOE offers education and capacity building through its www.energycodes.gov website. ICC and ASHRAE offer training through their websites. Many states and third-party organizations also offer training. (See http://www.energycodes.gov/adoption/states for listing of individual states with links to individual state energy offices through which training is provided). There are also a number of organizations (at the federal, state, and local levels) that promote building better buildings. |
Building materials
| Building Materials Ratings |
Energy Performance Certificates
| EPC Implementation |
