State and local code authorities converged March 21-24, in Tucson, Ariz., for the Department of Energy’s (DOE)  National Energy Code Conference, covering everything from adoption to enforcement of IECC (2015).

The rallying cry of the week was “Energy Codes WORK!” with some preliminary evidence from the DOE’s field study proving that the current code has the potential to yield big energy savings with more widespread adoption. As you might have seen in my previous blog, “DOE Field Study Yields Some Surprises for Window Industry,” we are in a good position as an industry with most windows already surpassing code requirements.

With data indicating that energy codes actually do work, the DOE’s focus is shifting to a full-fledged campaign to promote adoption of IECC (2015). Hence, a great deal of time was allocated to the many tools available for code authorities, designers, architects, builders and contractors to check compliance and alternative solutions, including newer versions of these DOE software products:

• REScheck™ makes it “fast and easy,” according to the DOE, to determine whether new homes, additions, and alterations meet the requirements of the IECC or a number of state energy codes.
• COMcheck™ is a product for the commercial market that determines whether new high-rise residential buildings, additions, and alterations meet the requirements of the IECC and ASHRAE Standard 90.1, as well as several state-specific codes.

The View from Here is that the DOE is trying to make it easier for states to adopt newer IECC versions and pressing education and support tools to make adoption and enforcement easier. I have heard it said many times that most would prefer a level playing field to compete, and it’s the DOE’s goal to do just that.

What’s your View? Email me directly at eric.jackson@quanex.com.