Estimates show DOE’s combined impacts in Building Energy Codes will result in 1.7 quadrillion Btu saved annually by 2030. Cumulative savings from 2009 to 2030 are estimated at 14 quadrillion Btu. These numbers translate into an estimated cumulative CO2 savings of 800 million metric tons.
In recent years, the DOE’s Building Energy Codes Program (BECP) has achieved substantial savings through active participation in code development processes, and in supporting increased adoption and compliance with building energy codes and standards. Some of these achievements include:
- Providing the International Code Council (ICC) with significant input for the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) Commercial Energy Efficiency chapter.
- Coordinating with ASHRAE to streamline commercial building energy standards and formalized development cycle.
- Supporting ASHRAE to increase commercial building energy efficiency standards by 30% between 2004 and 2010.
- Working within the ICC code development process to develop 30% more efficient residential building standards between 2006 and 2012.
A detailed description of BECP, its history, current activities, and plans for 2011-2016 can be found in Multi-Year Program Plan for Building Regulatory Programs.