The Online Code Environment and Advocacy Network

Best Practices for Codes and Voluntary Programs

What are the American Society of Heating, Re-

frigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
(ASHRAE) 90.1 Standard and International En-
ergy Conservation Code (IECC)?
The various versions of ASHRAE 90.1 and the IECC are na-
tional model energy efficiency standards and codes
(respectively) for buildings. ASHRAE produces Standard 90.1
and updates it each year with a new version. This is a stan-
dard for energy efficiency for all buildings—except low-rise
residential buildings—and is approved by the American Na-
tional Standards Institute (ANSI). Through a consensus-based
process, ANSI sets guidelines for how standards are pro- Courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons, Credit
duced.

The IECC is an energy code, developed by the International Code Council (ICC), for all buildings— including low-rise
residential. Both the standard and code are updated on a three-year cycle; however the timelines are not concur-
rent. The latest versions of both contain the most recent information that has been developed nationally. ANSI/
ASHRAE-2007 and IECC-2009 are the most current versions of each set of material.

Why should I buy an Energy Star Home if my state has an energy code to assure my home is
energy efficient?
Energy Star Homes are usually 15% more efficient than the most recent national model energy codes adopted by
states and jurisdictions. Energy Star Homes also undergo a rigorous testing and inspection process by a rater (an en-
ergy professional) and receive a special certification. Energy Star Homes are more energy efficient than those built to
the local or state energy code and are also likely to help people save on energy bills throughout life of the home.

Are there any programs out there that can help to identify opportunities for energy effi-
ciency in a specific community?
The US-Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Challenge program offers simple to use software - Portfolio
Manager and Target Finder – which analyze utility bill data for buildings. These tools help to identify the potential
energy savings that can be realized in a particular location’s buildings. The EPA has resources that can then point you
to federal, state and local programs to help better determine the savings and financing options for these properties.
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=challenge_community.showIntroduction

OCEAN is an online resource of the Building Codes Assistance Project

BCAP 1850 M St. NW Suite 600 | Washington, DC 20036 | www.bcap-ocean.org
 Best Practices for Codes and Voluntary Programs
How can one code be integrated with another to ensure compliance? For instance, if an in-
dividual uses ASHRAE 90.1-2004 to design buildings, what do they do if their town adopts
LEED certification as well?
The energy provisions required by the LEED program are based on ASHRAE 90.1-2004. In this case, a minimum com-
pliance level is all that is needed. However, you can actually get additional points towards the LEED certification by
going beyond that baseline requirement. Additional information about the LEED Rating program for new construc-
tion can be found on the US Green Building Council (USGBC) website. http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?
CMSPageID=220.

Do Energy Star and LEED-Homes automatically comply with the IECC?

Not automatically. Code compliance must still be demonstrated unless your state or jurisdiction has specified that an
advanced energy program is acceptable. It is important to ensure that all the IECC mandatory requirements (i.e. duct
sealing and air leakage control, pipe and duct insulation) are covered, even though they may not be required in ad-
vanced programs.
Homes incorporating advanced or voluntary programs are probably 15% or more energy efficient than those built to
code in your state. Nevertheless, you must make sure that your local code official is comfortable with this assump-
tion and that the mandatory requirements are met to ensure compliance.

How can builders leverage advanced or voluntary programs for competitive advantage?
Both the US-EPA Energy Star Homes and the US-DOE Building America Builders Challenge offer programs that can be
used to measure the performance of homes and assign certification that can help set a builder apart from those who
do not participate. Energy Star Homes: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=new_homes.hm_index

Building America Builders Challenge: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/challenge/about.html

What does Green Building mean?

Generally, Green Building refers to structures designed and constructed to promote energy and resource efficiency.
This usually includes high energy efficiency performance, durability, the use of recycled and environmentally-friendly
materials, the inclusion of water and other resource-efficient materials, siting and community-and transportation-
related access. A green building also promotes occupant health and safety, and reduces waste and pollution.

Where can information about mortgage products available to purchasers of Energy Star
homes be found?
There is a great deal of information on the RESNET website: http://www.natresnet.org/

OCEAN is an online resource of the Building Codes Assistance Project

For more information, please visit us at: www.bcap-ocean.org
A joint initiative of the Alliance to Save Energy (ASE), the Natural Resources Defense

BCAP Council (NRDC), and the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
1850 M St. NW Suite 600 | Washington, DC | www.bcap-ocean.org