Publications

Zip file of EnergyPlus TMY3 weather files for climate locations associated with the IECC Prototype Building Models.

The U.S. Department of Energy has provided funding for states to conduct residential field studies, with the purpose of identifying opportunities for energy code training & education in new construction. The participation of builders and local building departments is crucial in supporting this important activity.  This Fact Sheet summarizes this field study.

Presentation slides prepared for Residential Field Study stakeholder participants.  

This project was initiated to review residential provisions of the Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation, 7th Edition (2020) (FBC-EC) in order to make a determination if it meets or exceeds the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

This project’s code stringency evaluation activities included:

• Reviewing residential provisions of the 2020 FBC-EC and comparing them with residential provisions of the 2018 IECC
• Listing impactful code differences by Mandatory, Prescriptive, Performance and Energy Rating Index categories and providing the anticipated stringency impact for each
• Using EnergyGauge® USA energy modeling software to compare 2018 IECC and 2020 FBC-EC Prescriptive and Performance compliance method stringencies.

A research project in the State of Georgia investigated the energy code-related aspects of unoccupied, newly constructed, single family homes across the state. The study followed a DOE-prescribed methodology, which allowed the project team to build an empirical data set based on observations made directly in the field.

The purpose of this report is to document findings and final results from the Georgia field study, including a summary of key trends observed in the field, their impact on energy efficiency, and whether the selected education and training activities resulted in a measurable change in statewide energy use.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory analyzed the relationship between the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index and the traditional simulation-based Performance Path used in the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The analysis evaluates, for a single-family residence with various characteristics, the ranges of HERS Index values that would imply compliance with the 2012 IECC Performance Path. Several building characteristics considered likely to result in quantifiable differences in the outcomes of the two approaches, or otherwise believed to be of interest to code developers and policy makers, are considered in the analysis.

A research project in the state of Idaho identified opportunities to reduce homeowner energy costs in residential single-family new construction by increasing compliance with the current state energy code. The study was initiated in January 2018; data collection began in March 2018 and continued through June 2018. During this period, research teams visited 127 homes during various stages of construction, resulting in a collection of data based on observations made directly in the field.

This report provides the results and methodologies for the 2010-2011 Iowa Energy Code Pilot Study that was conducted by the Iowa Department of Public Safety, division of State Fire Marshal, State Building Code Bureau. This study was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy with support from Pacific Northwest National Laboratories – Building Energy Codes Project and the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA). Preliminary work on the study began in May of 2010. A contract with MEEA was signed in October 2010 with work commencing on the study in January 2011. The primary goal of the study was to determine the rate of compliance with the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code throughout the state of Iowa. Secondary goals of the study were to determine average energy code inspection durations, provide training to local code officials and builders participating in the study, and to determine areas of improvement.

A research project in the Commonwealth of Kentucky identified opportunities to reduce homeowner utility bills in residential single-family new construction by increasing compliance with the state energy code. The study was initiated in April 2015 and continued through August 2015. During this period, research teams visited 140 homes during various stages of construction, resulting in a substantial data set based on observations made directly in the field.

The purpose of this report is to document findings and final results from the Kentucky field study, including a summary of key trends observed in the field, their impact on energy efficiency, and whether the selected education and training activities resulted in a measurable change in statewide energy use.