Press Releases

Coalition submits final recommendations for changes to model energy code that will drive energy savings, cut carbon emissions

July 23, 2010—Two organizations working to make buildings greener and the federal Department of Energy have teamed to propose comprehensive changes to the nation’s model energy code that would help commercial structures use up to 30 percent less energy than current code practice.

Final recommendations for revisions to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) were developed by New Buildings Institute (NBI), the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and submitted earlier this month. Read more »

High Efficiency Energy Code Proposals Clear First Hurdle

November 18, 2009--Model energy codes that require 30% better efficiency just got a step closer to reality. New Buildings Institute's (NBI) major code proposal, EC 147, was approved by a 6-5 vote on October 30 at the International Energy Code Council (IECC) Code Development Hearings in Baltimore, Maryland. The IECC is the model code recognized in federal law, green building standards and nearly all states. Read more »

NBI database features buildings that are at least 30% more energy efficient

October 19, 2009--Commercial building professionals have a new tool they can use to help them create high performance buildings. New Buildings Institute has teamed with the U.S. Department of Energy, and Building Green to create a searchable database that provides users with examples of buildings that perform at least 30% better than the CBECS (Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey) average for their type. Read more »

Energy Trust, Efficiency New Brunswick add Advanced Buildings Core Performance to commercial efficiency program offerings

October 16, 2009--The Energy Trust of Oregon and Efficiency New Brunswick join utilities and public benefits administrators around North America as sponsors of Advanced Buildings, a suite of tools and resources on best practices in energy-efficient, high performance building design. New Buildings Institute (NBI) developed and maintains the Advanced Buildings program to help architects, engineers, building owners, and others take advantage of the benefits of energy efficiency strategies in commercial building projects. Read more »

Changes to national model energy codes could help buildings save up to 25% on energy costs

June 11, 2009--New Buildings Institute (NBI) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) are proposing comprehensive changes to a national model energy code for new commercial buildings, the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), which would create buildings that are 20‐25% more energy efficient than what today’s average standards require. Read more »

NBI's Core Performance adopted as part of Massachusetts stretch code

June 21, 2009--The Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards voted Tuesday to adopt a stretch energy code for the state that would make new commercial buildings under 100,000 square feet up to 30% more energy efficient than base standards and reduce carbon emissions by nearly 40%. Read more »

New Buildings Institute celebrates 10 years; expands Board of Directors

August 26, 2008--New Buildings Institute (NBI) is marking its tenth year working to improve the energy performance of commercial buildings. A nonprofit organization, NBI is focused on advancing the technologies, design practices and public policies that will reduce the amount of energy used by commercial buildings. Read more »

USGBC adopts NBI's Advanced Buildings Core Performance as a prescriptive option for LEED-NC

October 30, 2007--The Core Performance Guide, newly developed and released by New Buildings Institute (NBI), includes a set of strategies that when taken together provide a prescriptive path for designers, builders, building owners and others to design and construct buildings that operate up to 30 percent better than national building standards. Read more »

Building and efficiency experts meet on how to improve energy performance of commercial buildings

June 21, 2007--Seven key actions could significantly improve the energy performance of new commercial buildings, according to a document released by New Buildings Institute (NBI). Read more »