Skip to main content

Impact Analysis

The Impact of Building Energy Codes

Building energy codes represent a significant savings opportunity for U.S. home and business owners. Model energy codes for residential and commercial buildings are projected to save (cumulative 2010-2040):

  • $182 billion energy cost savings
  • 840 MMT of avoided CO2 emissions
  • 16.1 quads of primary energy

These savings equate to the annual emissions of:

  • 187 million passenger vehicles
  • 225 coal power plants
  • 106 million homes

For perspective, the primary energy consumption of the entire U.S. commercial and residential sectors in 2020 was estimated at 38 quads.

Assessing Model Code Impacts

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) evaluates impacts of model energy codes in residential and commercial buildings. The most recent assessment focuses on the model codes and their prospective national and state-level impacts from 2010 through 2040.  Read the report.

View previous version of the report.

The Building Energy Codes Program

The DOE Building Energy Codes Program contributes to these savings by supporting the adoption and implementation of the model energy codes. The Program accomplishes this by:

  • Participating in industry processes to develop codes—analyzing energy and cost savings associated with code updates and improvements
  • Providing technical assistance to states and localities—helping them adopt and implement better codes
  • Supporting energy code compliance—ensuring that intended savings are realized by U.S. home and business owners

DOE's activities surrounding building energy codes are established by Congress through federal statutory directives.  Learn more.