Contacts: Harry Misuriello, 703-477-4781

Jennifer Amann, 202-507-4015

Media Contact: Glee Murray, 202-507-4010
State and Local Code Officials Deliver Historic Improvement in Building Energy E
fficiency
Washington, D.C. (November 1, 2010): More than 500 state and local code official
s voted on changes to the nation's model energy code to achieve energy savings o
f 30% relative to the 2006 model code. The new 2012 International Energy Conserv
ation Code (IECC) meets the 30% savings goal sought by the U.S. Department of En
ergy, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Association of State Energy Of
ficials, governors, lawmakers, and the broad-based Energy Efficient Codes Coalit
ion (EECC). The model energy code governs home and commercial building construct
ion, additions, and renovations in 47 states and the District of Columbia where
local building codes are based on these national model standards.
"In the last four years, the International Code Council has accomplished more in
efficiency improvements than all updates combined since 1975," said Harry Misur
iello, ACEEE Fellow and EECC organizer. "Local governments clearly realize that
they and their citizens have an important stake in reducing building energy use,
and that's why they sent their delegates to Charlotte to vote for greater energ
y efficiency."
The proposals adopted into the new code address all aspects of residential and c
ommercial building construction, laying a strong foundation for residential effi
ciency gains and leading commercial building efficiency improvements. In the res
idential sector, improvements will:
· Ensure that new homes are better sealed to reduce heating and cooling los
ses,
· Improve the efficiency of windows and skylights,
· Increase insulation in ceilings, walls, and foundations,
· Reduce wasted energy from leaky heating and cooling ducts,
· Improve hot-water distribution systems to reduce wasted energy and water
in piping, and
· Boost lighting efficiency.
The package of improvements for commercial buildings should match those for home
s in terms of energy savings. In addition to many of the features cited above, t
he commercial buildings package includes continuous air barriers, daylighting co
ntrols, use of economizers in additional climates, and a choice of three paths f
or designers and developers to increase efficiency: renewable energy systems, mo
re efficient HVAC equipment, orimprovedlighting systems. The package also requir
es commissioning of new buildings to ensure that the actual energy performance o
f the building meets the design intent.
"It is notable that the votes that will have the most profound impact on nationa
l energy and environmental policy this year weren'theld in Washington or a state
capital, but by governmental officials assembled by the International Code Coun
cil in Charlotte, North Carolina," said EECC Executive Director William Fay. Whi
le all Americans will share in the energy and environmental benefits of more eff
icient buildings, homeowners and commercial building owners and occupants top th
e list of beneficiaries. A study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory fou
nd that an average home that's 30% more energy efficient returns $511 a year in
energy savings to homeowners after taking into account the small mortgage paymen
t increase needed to pay for efficiency improvements. From the national economic
perspective, efficient buildings will demonstrably reduce U.S. energy consumpti
on, which will help stabilize energy costs to businesses and manufacturers, defe
r the need for new power plant construction, and, by reducing energy demand, imp
rove national energy security.

###

About ACEEE: The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy is an independ

ent, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means
of promoting economic prosperity, energy security, and environmental protection.
For information about ACEEE and its programs, publications, and conferences, vi
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