Energy Efficiency

A new “open file” research report has just been completed to assess the role of building science and healthy buildings in relation to controlling the risk of health threats such as the COVID-19 pandemic. 

As mentioned in a prior January 2020 EEBS article (2021 I-Codes Adopt Major Energy Efficiency & Building Science Advancements), many advancements forthcoming in the 2021 ICC family of codes (energy and building codes) were overviewed with the intent to address these advancements individually in future articles.

Without clear definitions the code may be subject to varying interpretations that may depart from the intent. Definitions are important and they have significant technical implications.

The 2021 International Codes are currently going through our established validation process, conducted in accordance with Council Policy 28.

At the recent 2020 RESNET Building Performance Conference, Jay Crandell (ARES Consulting) and Amy Schmidt (DuPont) gave a presentation titled “If Walls Could Talk…”

The energy subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce heard discussion on six bipartisan efficiency and energy storage bills, but the most contentious moment focused on appliance standards.

FHB House builder Mike Guertin and designer Michael Maines conceived of the project’s foundation with buildability, water management, and thermal performance in mind.

The 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) was finalized at the end of 2019 through an online vote of the governmental members of the International Code Council (ICC).

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) on Feb. 12 urged the House to oppose to H.R. 3962, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2019, warning that the legislation would exacerbate the nation’s housing affordability woes.

The International Code Council’s 2021 building codes cycle was moving along as expected, but a last-minute wave of newly-registered voters appears to have derailed the online vote in what appears to be a concerted effort to impact the code development process.