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INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL COMMITTEE SETS STAGE FOR LANDMARK BOOST IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF US HOMES
America’s model energy efficiency code for new home construction (International Energy Conservation Code, or IECC) would be close to meeting the 30%...
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New ICF savings analysis of major proposals shows over 30% gain for "30Plus/EC25"

The Thirty Percent Solution 2012 - Working for dynamic efficiency gains in America's model energy code

The 30% Solution 2012 Is Focused on:

Efficiency: Achieving the best in readily achievable gains in new home energy efficiency

The 30% Solution 2012 will put the 2012 IECC well on the path to achieve Congress’ 50% looming energy efficiency target. Taken together with the roughly 13% gains from the 2009 IECC, “The 30% Solution 2012” would result in a new IECC approaching 40% greater energy efficiency than the 2006 baseline. No other comprehensive proposal before the ICC was as dedicated to assembling the best line-up of readily available energy efficiency technologies.

Simplicity: Supporting energy code administration and enforcement

The 30% Solution 2012 was written with the burdens of code officials in mind. With a rising inspection burden from heightened energy requirements, code officials told us to keep the code as simple as possible – lots of easy-to-follow charts, minimal calculations, limited allowable variations and exceptions. We took their concerns to heart, seeking code official review before and even after submitting “The 30% Solution 2012.”

Lifetime and Ease of Replacement: Recognizing improvements that last for generations

All efficiency isn’t created equal . . . for example, there’s often only one shot to get envelope improvements right, but they last for decades. In contrast, homeowners will go through light bulbs, hot water heaters and HVAC systems with relatively greater frequency. The 30% Solution 2012 not only contains the strongest envelope requirements for the most part, but it emphasizes those improvements that will last the longest.

A Complete Solution: Integrating all elements of energy efficiency

EECC believes that energy efficiency should be NOT approached in silos. The 30% Solution 2012 addresses all aspects of home construction and avoids approaches that would allow, for example, solely mechanical improvements. Simply stated, it’s better to improve both the envelope and the HVAC system than to install the most efficient HVAC system in a poorly built home.

How You Can Help:
  • Join EECC and our efforts to make America’s model energy code (the IECC) more energy efficient. Our next chance is the 2012 IECC, which the International Code Council will adopt in September, 2010. Click here to contact us.
  • Come to Baltimore to join us at the International Code Council’s Development Committee Code Forum (October 26-31, 2009). Click here for logistics and here for more details about the Forum.
  • Join the Responsible Energy Codes Alliance (www.reca-codes.org) in its efforts to convince states and local jurisdictions to adopt and implement the 2009 IECC without substantive local weakening amendments. Contact:  Eric Lacey (elacey@bbrslaw.com; 202-339-6366).

Learn More

A Significant Efficiency Boost in 2009 IECCWith support from over 60% of ICC members, the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) will significantly boost new home energy efficiency significantly over its 2006 counterpart. Although it won’t reach the 30% improvement sought by the Energy Efficient Codes Coalition, an ICF analysis estimates that homes built to the 2009 IECC standards will save 12.2% under the simple “prescriptive” method and could save 14.7% or more using the more complicated “performance-based” method.



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Myth or Fact?
The 30% ‘improvement’ is often technologically impossible to comply with.