Doing the right thing makes sense:
An interview with building science expert Mark LaLiberte

Energy codes can be key in driving the change toward more energy efficient buildings, according to Mark LaLiberte, an expert in building science. And making sure information about energy codes gets to the diverse group of people who are designing, building and inspecting is critical to the process.

LaLiberte, who has over 20 years of experience in educating the home building industry on the benefits of energy efficient homes, will be one of several speakers at Energy Codes 2009, an annual U.S. Department of Energy-sponsored event. Energy Codes 2009 will be held in Portland, OR, July 27-30.

Often the people who need to understand energy codes the most, don't have the information they need, LaLiberte said. In an ideal world--or in the one LaLiberte and others are striving to create--there would be more vehicles for providing information to the people who need to understand energy codes the most--designers, builders, code officials and others. "People will do the right thing when they know what the right thing is," he said.

And the ideal world may be closer than we think. In Minnesota, for example, builders are required to be licensed. In order to maintain their license, builders must fulfill a yearly continuing education requirement, one hour of which must be devoted to energy codes.

Providing sufficient information about energy codes and adequate tools to builders and code officials can help them be more effective and can transform the environment in which they work. LaLiberte envisions an environment where builders and code officials follow codes not because it's the law, but because it's the right thing to do. "People like feeling supported rather than pushed."

Visit Energy Codes 2009 for additional information.