U.S. Energy Department Issues Federal Building Code Requirements, Proposes Home Appliance Standards

The U.S. Energy Department on March 30 announced new guidelines for federal building energy codes to save energy costs and encourage energy efficiency. The agency also proposed new requirements for residential pool heaters and air conditioners to assist consumers in reducing their energy costs. Over the next 30 years, the new guidelines and proposed standards are estimated to save the department over $15 billion in net costs.

The plan could save 2.2 quads of energy, which is equal to the energy used by 13 million households for one year, as well as decrease emissions equivalent to the yearly carbon emission of 14.4 million households over the next 30 years. The initiative builds on the goals of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which includes $225 million for state and local energy code implementations.

From April 2023, all new federal buildings and major retrofits will be required to comply with the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). These constructions must also fulfil the 2019 American standard 90.1 building energy codes for heating, refrigerating, and air conditioning. Within the first year of implementing this measure, the department estimates a saving of $4.2 million dollars.

A report published by the agency in July 2021 concluded that states implementing the latest building energy codes would save consumers $3.24 billion annually on energy costs. If residential buildings are constructed in accordance with the 2021 IECC in comparison to those built-in accordance with the 2018 IECC, the country would save about 9 percent in site energy, nearly 9 percent in source energy, and more than 8 percent in energy costs.

The Biden Administration plans to complete over 100 appliance and equipment standards by the end of 2022. Based on the initial analysis of the first 26 rulemakings, a net of $224 billion in utility bills are estimated to be saved over the lifetime of the products purchased over a 30-year period. The new rules are expected to produce nearly 40 quads of energy savings on the full-fuel cycle and prevent nearly 1.1 billion metric tons of carbon emissions. The avoided emissions are equivalent to those from electricity used by each U.S for about two years, closing 10 coal-fired power plants, or removing 7.9 million cars from the road over a 30-year period.

The agency seeks comments from stakeholders on two proposed residential rules for 60 days, and will hold a public meeting to gather input from industry and energy efficiency groups.