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Field study data supporting the U.S. DOE Multifamily Residential Energy Efficiency Field Study to validate the impact of building energy codes in low-rise multifamily buildings and identify opportunities for increased energy that can be addressed through workforce education & training programs. This zip file contains individual documents listed below)

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A research project in the state of Maryland investigated energy code-related aspects of residential single-family new construction. The study was initiated in January 2015 and continued through July 2015. During this period, research teams visited 207 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 Maryland 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.

The goals of this study were threefold: 1) Provide feedback to the BECP on the implementation of the BECP protocol 2) Develop a preliminary pattern/range of the existing compliance rates of newly constructed residential dwellings and commercial buildings based on jurisdictions in Illinois that have adopted the building energy codes and 3) Identify areas where home performance and codes training and education activities could be improved or refocused. Measurements of a small sample set (10) of commercial buildings were also taken. Due to the insignificance sample size, a commercial compliance rate is not reported here.

Total System Performance Ratio (TSPR) is a metric for evaluating overall system efficiency instead of individual component efficiency, a solution that could also eventually facilitate the transition to a 100% performance-based code structure. TSPR is a ratio that compares the annual heating and cooling load of a building to the annual energy consumed by the building's HVAC system. This technical documentation provides background on the TSPR and support for the mechanical performance factors that are developed each 90.1 edition cycle to be used in the calculation. The current factors are developed for the 2022 edition of 90.1 in combination with addendum AG.

DOE supports the development of the International Code Council’s (ICC) International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), the national model code adopted by or forming the basis of residential energy codes promulgated by a majority of U.S. states, as well as other voluntary building energy codes. DOE performs a cost-effectiveness analysis of proposed modifications to the codes as part of that support and also performs an analysis of cost-effectiveness of new code versions.1 This document represents the methodology DOE uses in performing such analyses.

This letter certifies that Minnesota has reviewed the provisions of its residential building code regarding energy efficiency and made a determination as to whether it is appropriate for Minnesota to revise its residential energy code. The letter further certifies that Minnesota has reviewed and updated the provisions of its commercial energy code.

A research project in the state of Montana 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 May 2018; data collection began in June 2018 and continued through September 2018. During this period, the project team visited 125 homes at various stages of construction, resulting in a data set based on observations made directly in the field.

National Energy and Cost Savings for New Single- and Multifamily Homes: A Comparison of the 2006, 2009, and 2012 Editions of the IECC

These analyses evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the prescriptive path of the 2015 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), relative to the 2012 and 2009 IECC for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The analysis covers one- and two-family dwelling units, town-homes, and low-rise multifamily residential buildings covered by the residential provisions of the 2015 IECC.

In this analysis, PNNL evaluated the cost-effectiveness of the changes in the prescriptive and mandatory residential provisions of the 2018 edition of the IECC compared to those in the prior edition, the 2015 IECC.

The Nebraska Energy Office (NEO) commissioned Britt/Makela Group, Inc. (BMG) to assess compliance with the commercial provisions of the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The goals of the project were to: 

• Assess compliance rates for projects that represented typical commercial construction in Nebraska 
• Collect information on energy code compliance issues that could be used to establish a framework for future energy code implementation programs in the state.

This is to certify that the State of New York intends to adopt an updated version of the State Energy Conservation Construction Code (the “NYS Energy Code”) and the State of New York is seeking an extension from the Secretary pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §6833(c) in light of the fact that the State has made a good faith effort to comply with such requirements and has made significant progress in doing so. The updated version of the NYS Energy Code is anticipated to become effective in 2025.

With regard to commercial buildings, the Department of State has reviewed the provisions of the State’s commercial building code regarding energy efficiency and seeks an extension of time to update the NYS Energy Code’s provisions to meet or exceed the requirements of ASHRAE 90.1-2019 for eighteen (18) months or until January 28, 2025.