NBI Support of State and Local Jurisdictions

Learn how NBI is working with cities and states to support development of strong energy requirements in building energy codes.

Core Energy Code is a code text that is ready for state and local adoption. Core Energy Code is available as either a mandatory or "stretch code" application and is formatted as a revision to Chapter 5 of the IECC. The document includes many of the Core Performance® and other measures proposed by NBI, AIA or US DOE for the 2012 IECC.

Proposals to the 2012 IECC

NBI, the U.S. Department of Energy and the American Institute of Architects have proposed comprehensive changes to a national model energy code for new commercial buildings, the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), which would create buildings that are about 25% more energy efficient. Read the 2012 IECC Proposal, or a Synopsis of the proposed changes including the Reason Statement. In addition, NBI and AIA are proposing additional revisions to requirements for fenestration, and building envelope.

We welcome collaboration on the IECC proposals here during the IECC comment period through mid-2010.
 

Massachusetts Adopts NBI-Supported Code

Core Performance has been adopted as part of a stretch code for Massachusetts. The new rules would make new commercial buildings under 100,000 square feet up to 30% more energy efficient than current standards and reduce carbon emissions by nearly 40%.

Codes and Standards for Advanced Energy Efficiency Buildings

IMT/DCBIA Core Code presentation, 10/27/09, Washington D.C.

Adopting Advanced Building Codes to Achieve Energy Savings and Carbon Reduction – A Primer

NBI-Supported Codes Lead to Major Savings
Read what Senior Program Manager Mark Cherniack and Jim Edelson have to say on the topic of advanced codes in this article published in the November 2008 edition of Consulting-Specifying Engineer magazine.

How much energy do NBI-supported codes codes and advanced energy codes save?

New Buildings has analyzed energy and carbon savings for codes based on an early version of Core Energy Code for three building types in 14 climate zones across the country:

Choose the representative climate zone location:

Resources

Advanced Buildings Core Performance Guide

ASHRAE Special Project 189

ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guide

US Department of Energy Building Codes Program

Testimony of Energy and Climate Consultant Jim Edelson before the Oregon Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Testimony of National Association of State Energy Official’s Jeff Genzer before the Energy and Environment Subcommittee, U.S. House of Representatives

Building Codes Assistance Project Commercial Code Status Map

Above Code Building Programs, a presentation by Eric Makela (PDF 4.7 MB)

A View of the Commercial Code of the Future, a presentation by Mark Halverson of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PDF 141 KB)

Resources for State and Local Governments, from the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project