Source: U.S. Department of Energy

Lawmakers have their eye on more than cash-for-clunkers and improving the fuel efficiency of the American transportation fleet. 

 
That’s because the built environment, that is, how much energy is consumed by residential and commercial buildings, constitutes the largest source of energy consumption in the U.S. Therefore, if we make our homes and buildings more efficient, we make a create a cleaner, greener America.

 
The current climate bill (Waxman-Markey) which will be debated, discussed, and amended in the Senate floor later this year, has one section which every builder should be aware of: Section 201, covering national building energy codes.

What are these proposed national building codes?
• in  2010, 30% below the baseline energy code (IECC 2006 and ASHRAE 90.1-2004)
• in 2014-2015, 50% below the baseline energy code, and  
• every three years after, out to 2029-2030, an additional 5% reduction

Source: @2009 2030, Inc./ Architecture 2030

What does this mean for the builder? Well, Austin and its surrounding communities should fare better than other locations and states which currently lack statewide commercial and residential building codes. That’s because Texas does have a statewide Building and Energy Codes (IBC 2003 and IECC 200). And many communities already have adopted the IECC 2006 Energy Code. Although Central Texas builders are familiar with Energy Codes, they are going to have to become familiar with energy efficient home building.

If the above codes pass, then every new home constructed in the U.S. will have to be more energy efficient than what the current Energy Star for New Homes label requires.  If you still think that “green building” is a passing fad, think again.

Before we proclaim the beginning of the “Energy Efficient” Era, let’s take a second to consider what this means.

Energy Star for new homes was launched in 1995; therefore, for a program that has been around for 13 years, nationally, only 17% of new homes constructed in 2008 achieved Energy Star status. When taken into context of Energy Star’s longevity, that’s little over 1% per year.

Furthermore, the Energy Star certification is one of the easiest “Green” labels to achieve.  How will builders respond when the Energy Star criteria become, in the words of Sam Rashkin, national director of Energy Star for new homes, become “…much stricter, intentionally” in order to become “a bit of a stretch for builders.”?

Builders will not have to wait long to find out.

On January 1st of 2011, the EPA will roll out the new guidelines for the Energy Star rating for homes. I’ll be explaining those in an upcoming blog. These, coupled with the efficiency language and targets in the new cap-and-trade climate bill (the Waxman-Markey legislation),will change the residential construction industry.

Are you ready?