Building Energy Codes News

GreenBiz.com: A recent Yahoo survey about the American consumer's evolving view of housing provides interesting and strong evidence of a definite market trend. According to the Yahoo survey, energy efficiency is a top hallmark of the "dream home" -- more consumers cited energy efficiency as a desirable attribute than any other feature.

yourolivebranch.org: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced that more than 10,000 homes have been constructed to meet the energy efficiency specifications of the voluntary Builders Challenge initiative.

Charlston Gazette: Only eight of the state's 55 counties enforce energy codes. Participants in Tuesday's hearing urged that enforcement should spread to all counties. In the coming 60-day session, the Legislature should expand the struggle by passing stronger energy codes and prodding utilities to increase efforts against loss.

REJournals.com: As the Midwest Energy Solutions Conference gets into full swing this week, Chicago's The Weidt Group debuted the ECOnirman Whole Building Performance Tool, a Web-based simulation tool for energy code compliance with implications for the U.S. market. The tool shows great promise for energy efficiency in India by allowing building developers and designers to make trade-offs between building systems and to use innovative building materials to comply with the energy code.

Building Media, Inc.: Available videos include Overview of the Illinois Energy Conservation Code for Commercial Buildings; Basic Requirements: Building Envelope, Mechanical, Lighting.

Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce: Industry Professionals Can Learn About Latest Conservation Codes for New Construction and Renovation Projects in Illinois

EERE: DOE announced on January 6 that the state of Wisconsin has surpassed its energy efficiency goal established with the agency under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Through its weatherization program, the state has helped more than 30,500 Wisconsin households improve the energy efficiency of their homes over the last three years, saving the average household more than $400 a year on its energy utility bills.

ConsumersUnion: More states across the country are using energy codes to save their residents money, improve homes and buildings, and protect the environment. The push by state legislators reflects what consumers are saying – they want more efficient, comfortable homes that help save both their budgets and the environment. According to a recent survey by Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy division of Consumer Reports, and the nonprofit Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP), Americans overwhelmingly believe that more energy-efficient homes will reduce energy use and pollution, and that homeowners should have a right to a home that meets national energy standards.

EERE: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the release of the third installment in a series of four 50% Advanced Energy Design Guides (AEDGs). This latest guide will help architects, engineers, and contractors design and build highly efficient retail buildings, helping to save energy and cut store operational costs.

Canadian Consulting Engineer: Some Ontario builders are worried that new building code requirements with stricter energy efficiency measures could lead to poor indoor air quality. One builder points out that energy efficient homes need to have good, well maintained heat recovery ventilators that circulate air in and out.

>Sacramento Press: The Sacramento County Airport System has received a $150,000 rebate from the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) for energy efficiencies built into the design and construction of Terminal B at Sacramento International Airport. Terminal B qualified for the incentive by exceeding state energy code requirements by 25 percent.

Star Democrat: Baltimore Buyers of new homes will save hundreds of dollars each year on energy bills as a result of newly updated state building energy standards that went into effect Sunday, according to a press release from Environment Maryland. The new version of the Maryland Building Performance Standard will make new homes and offices approximately 15 percent more energy efficient than the previous standard, according to the press release.

NH Energy Code Challenge: Have a question about the NH Energy Code? We at the NH Energy Code Challenge would like to introduce our new "Ask the Expert" column, which will be featured periodically here on the blog.

Alliance to Save Energy: The White House recently pledged $2 billion for energy efficiency improvements in federal buildings, underscoring efforts already underway to save energy in several government facilities.

International Falls Daily Journal: With fuel prices high and the building and remodeling industry in a slump, the Minnesota Department of Labor gave approval to offering online classes for licensed residential builders, remodelers and roofers who need to fulfill continuing education requirements. The classes entail learning about project management, construction safety, energy conservation measures and regulations on energy codes.

STRUCTURE magazine: This article discusses the development of model energy codes and the legislative mandate for DOE to assure their implementation.

news-journal.com: Texas A&M University energy researchers believe a statewide building code that takes effect today should cut energy consumption of new single-family homes by more than 15 percent. Longview, with the blessing of at least two construction groups, has adopted the update, which calls for more energy-efficient lighting and other measures.

GreenBiz.com: Faced with a promising new year, we have an opportunity to start fresh and get fit -- and that includes our buildings. Here are 10 ways to go deep on energy efficiency in 2012.

Bangor Daily News: Code Enforcement Officer Daniel Whittier wants to help landlords comply with the state's new Uniform Building and Energy Code before he has to start enforcing it, he said Tuesday. Whittier and firefighters have begun inspecting rental dwellings as part of a voluntary town inspection program that will help landlords prepare for the new regulations, which will take effect in Lincoln on July 1, he said.

FacilitiesNet: Just as the US Department of Energy (DOE) recognized ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2010 as the national energy standard, WattStopper launched a new CodeSmart publication designed to guide lighting and building professionals through the intricacies of the many lighting control requirements that debuted in this newest version of the code.