Programs

Building Energy Codes

Strong building energy codes are one of the most effective mechanisms to increase the long-term energy efficiency of buildings. Each year in the United States, we build new or renovate about 10 billion square feet of commercial and residential floor space*. We also tear down about 1.75 billion square feet. By the year 2035, about 75 percent of the U.S. building sector will be either new or renovated. The energy efficiency requirements of today's building codes have an immense impact on the buildings of tomorrow. Strong building codes and widespread compliance can reduce wasteful energy expenditure and enable substantial efficiency savings.

IMT advocates for better building codes through code design, development, training, research, outreach, and advocacy. We also collaborate with numerous national and regional organizations (see full list of resources below) to make building standards more effective worldwide.

*Stats according to Architecture 2030

FOSTERING BETTER CODES: IMT's DOMESTIC & INTERNATIONAL WORK

IMT Codes work on the National Level

In the United States, IMT helps craft legislation related to codes and participates in the development of model codes and standards. We also assist state and local governments in improving and adopting green energy codes. IMT is a member of the Energy Efficient Codes Coalition, and our advocacy work on the national level supports better energy codes for standards like the ICC and ASHRAE.

IMT Codes work in the Washington, DC Region

As a DC-based organization, IMT has the opportunity to actively support top-notch energy codes in the city's metropolitan area. IMT works regionally with local governments in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia to support the adoption and implementation of energy-efficient codes. We also provide trainings for local building owners and public officials around building codes and standards.

IMT Codes work on the International Level

IMT is currently working to increase energy efficiency in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgystan. We previously worked on building energy codes with partners in Europe, Russia and the former Soviet Union, as well as China.

IMT Code Compliance work

One of IMT's newest program areas is building code compliance. Our efforts, in collaboration with our partner organizations, focus on research, training, and outreach on code compliance and enforcement.

BUILDING CODE LINKS & RESOURCES

General Code

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)

- ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004

- Free live web casts on ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2007

Architecture 2030
Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP)
Development Center for Appropriate Technology (DCAT)
Energy Efficient Codes Coalition (EECC)
International Code Council (ICC)

- ICC Green Building Page

New Buildings Institute

(NBI created, maintains and supports the Core Performance Guide, which brings together a set of strategies that provide a prescriptive path for design teams that results in buildings 30 percent better than national building energy standards (ASHRAE 90.1 2004). What’s more, the USGBC has adopted Core Performance as a prescriptive option for up to five points under LEED-NC v2.2).