The U.S. Department of Energy is tightening and upgrading energy codes for federal buildings, an energy efficiency that it contends could save billions in energy use over coming years.
The new federal building code requirement also arrives with proposed new standards for residential air conditioners and pool heaters. Altogether, the DOE says, the moves could save 2.2 quadrillion Btus (British thermal units) of energy, equivalent to the current usage of 13 million homes for one year.
A DOE analysis recommended the changes in adopting the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) to improve energy efficiency in buildings. Following those standards would result in federal site savings of 9.38 percent energy use and $4.2 billion annually in operations cost, according to the report.
“The Biden Administration is leading by example to cut energy use and reduce its carbon footprint by adopting the latest building standards that drive down operating costs and therefore save taxpayer dollars,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Coupled with the appliance standards proposed today for American households, DOE is reiterating our commitment to reaching net zero carbon emissions, improving our air quality and keeping more money in the pockets of families across the country.”
Adoption of the 2021 IECC codes would begin in April 2023.
Statistics on the predominant energy users in the economy indicate that buildings consume close to 40 percent of total energy in the U.S. and emit close to 14 percent of greenhouse gas emissions nationally, according to reports.
Building energy codes can focus on the efficiency of lighting, windows and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
