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Codes 101

Commercial Codes and Standards

Commercial (or non-residential) buildings, in the context of building energy codes and standards, are all buildings other than low-rise residential buildings, including multi-family high-rise residential buildings over three stories in height above grade. Buildings containing both residential and commercial spaces are generally considered separately with respect to compliance with model energy codes. Standards for federal commercial buildings are developed through the Regulation and Rulemaking process.

ASHRAE STANDARD 90.1

Proposed changes to ASHRAE Standard 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, are developed as addenda to the current edition of the standard. When approved, these changes are published as separate addenda. Every three years those addenda that have been approved are aggregated and incorporated into a new edition of Standard 90.1.

Revision Process

Like all ASHRAE standards, Standard 90.1 is developed and revised according to a process defined by ASHRAE and approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). ASHRAE assembles a Standing Standards Project Committee (SSPC) having a membership of balanced interests. The SSPC oversees all proposed modifications to the standard. ASHRAE Standard 90.1 is a continuous maintenance standard, meaning any interested person may submit proposed revisions to be considered by the SSPC at any time. Proposals (possibly modified by the SSPC) having received a majority vote of the SSPC are periodically published by ASHRAE for public review. Having reviewed and considered all comments, and having attempted to resolve any disagreements with commenters, the SSPC will, by majority vote, forward proposals (known as addenda) through ASHRAE's approval process. After an opportunity for appeals, the Board of Directors will approve the addenda for publication in the next revision of the standard.

Anyone may attend and participate in the SSPC's meetings and development activities, including submitting proposed changes, contributing technical inputs, participating in technical discussions and debates, and, if necessary, appealing SSPC decisions. Interested stakeholders may become non-voting members of the committee, if approved by the SSPC chair.

DOE's Participation

DOE participates in the ASHRAE Standard 90.1 development process by contributing voting and non-voting membership and participation on SSPC-90.1, providing analytical and other technical support to the SSPC, and developing/submitting addenda using the ASHRAE analysis methodology. DOE seeks to incorporate all energy efficiency measures that are cost effective so that ASHRAE Standard 90.1 is a viable standard for state adoption.

For more information on the DOE role in the development of building energy codes, visit the About section of this website.

INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE

The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) is developed and published by the International Code Council (ICC) and is maintained through a tri-annual public consensus process.

Revision Process

The IECC is revised every three years through the ICC’s governmental consensus process. Code change proposals may be submitted by any interested party and are vetted through two public hearings at which stakeholders can debate proposals' merits. Between the two hearings, the public has the opportunity to submit written comments, which may include suggested changes to any proposal. At the Initial Action Hearing, proponents and opponents of change proposals make their arguments before a committee of experts assembled by the ICC. While at the Final Action Hearing, arguments are presented to the ICC Governmental Member Representatives present at the hearing.

DOE's Participation

DOE participates in the ICC consensus process to update the commercial building provisions of the IECC by developing proposed code changes designed to increase energy efficiency in new commercial buildings. DOE submits a range of proposals, from simple edits to core technical challenges impeding model code adoption and compliance. Through this development process, DOE works to foster increased efficiency in commercial and high-rise residential buildings.

Residential Codes and Standards

Residential buildings include one- and two-family attached or detached dwellings, and multi-family buildings three or fewer stories above grade. The process defined under Regulation and Rulemaking is used to develop building energy codes for residential federal buildings and manufactured houses, which are built in a factory and transported to the home site.

INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE

The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) is developed and published by the International Code Council (ICC) and is maintained through a tri-annual public consensus process.

Revision Process

The IECC is revised every three years through the ICC’s governmental consensus process. Code change proposals may be submitted by any interested party and are vetted through two public hearings at which stakeholders can debate proposals' merits. Between the two hearings, the public has the opportunity to submit written comments, which may include suggested changes to any proposal. At the Initial Action Hearing, proponents and opponents of change proposals make their arguments before a committee of experts assembled by the ICC. While at the Final Action Hearing, arguments are presented to the ICC Governmental Member Representatives present at the hearing.

DOE's Participation

DOE participates in the ICC consensus process to update the residential building provisions of the IECC by proposing changes and testifying at the public hearings. DOE develops proposals using its residential energy and cost analysis methodology to make sure the proposed changes are cost effective. DOE develops its proposals in an open manner and invites public comment. Through this development process, DOE works to foster increased efficiency in residential buildings.

For more information on the DOE role in the development of building energy codes, visit the About section of this website.

ASHRAE STANDARD 90.2

Proposed changes to ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 90.2, Energy-Efficient Design of Low-Rise Residential Buildings are developed as addenda to the current edition of the standard. When approved, these changes are published as separate addenda. Every three years, those addenda that have been approved are aggregated and incorporated into a new edition of Standard 90.2.

Revision Process

Like all ASHRAE standards, Standard 90.2 is developed and revised according to a process defined by ASHRAE and approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). ASHRAE assembles a Standing Standards Project Committee (SSPC) having a membership of balanced interests. The SSPC oversees all proposed modifications to the standard. Standard 90.2 is a continuous maintenance standard, meaning any interested person may submit proposed revisions to be considered by the SSPC at any time. Proposals (possibly modified by the SSPC) having received a majority vote of the SSPC are periodically published by ASHRAE for public review. Having reviewed and considered all comments and having attempted to resolve any disagreements with commenters, the SSPC will, by majority vote, forward approved proposals (known as addenda) through the ASHRAE approval process. After an opportunity for appeals, the Board of Directors will approve the addenda for publication in the next revision of the standard.

Anyone may attend and participate in the SSPC's meetings and development activities, including submitting proposed changes, contributing technical inputs, participating in technical discussions and debates, and, if necessary, appealing SSPC decisions. Interested stakeholders may become non-voting members of the committee, if approved by the SSPC chair.

DOE's Participation

DOE participates in the ASHRAE Standard 90.2 development process by contributing voting and non-voting membership and participation on SSPC-90.2, providing analytical and other technical support to the SSPC, and by participating in the development of addenda. DOE seeks to incorporate all energy efficiency measures that are cost effective so that Standard 90.2 is a viable alternative standard for state adoption.

Related Training Materials

Building Energy Codes Program Background

Development

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) supports and participates in the model building energy code development processes administered by the ASHRAE and the International Code Council (ICC). DOE activities include developing and submitting code change proposals, conducting analysis of building energy efficiency and cost savings, and formulating underlying evaluation methodologies. Through participation in model energy code development for both commercial and residential buildings, DOE strives to make cost-effective, energy efficient upgrades to current model codes. DOE is currently developing its proposed changes for the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

Adoption

The adoption of model codes presents a significant opportunity to save energy in residential and commercial buildings. The U.S. does not have a national energy code or standard, so energy codes are adopted at the state and local levels of government. Through the Building Energy Codes Program (BECP), DOE provides technical assistance to state and local governments to help facilitate the adoption process. This support also includes tracking state adoption status, coordinating activities among stakeholders, and technical analysis.

Compliance

The key to realizing the full benefits associated with building energy codes is through compliance verification. Establishing and maintaining mechanisms to ensure energy code compliance is important to achieve greater energy and economic goals. Effective compliance and enforcement unlocks deeper energy savings, reduced costs, higher building resale value, and minimized environmental impact. BECP has produced a collection of innovative materials and tools to help the building industry achieve, document and verify compliance with energy codes. BECP has also developed methodologies and tools to help state and local jurisdictions measure and report energy code compliance, and provides technical assistance to help address compliance challenges.