News > Building Codes & Standards

Today, Cliff Majersik presented on "The Energy Efficiency Landscape" at an exploratory meeting for an ANSI energy efficiency standards panel. His presentation slides can be viewed here.

A report released today by the Global Buildings Performance Network (GBPN) and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) reveals that China has achieved significant gains in its compliance with building energy codes, at both the design and construction stages, since 2005. Author Shui Bin of ACEEE attributes this to strong governmental support, a national program of inspection, and other factors. Read the report or see our press release to learn more.

Although strong energy codes are among the best tools we have to reduce energy consumption, compliance is low—around 50%, estimates IMT. How can cash-strapped local governments improve energy code compliance? After researching best practices, IMT has released five case studies documenting cost-effective strategies that local governments can use to raise compliance rates. Read our press release here.

IMT has released two more case studies in our series exploring innovative strategies for improving energy-code compliance. They focus on, respectively, the success of Georgia's residential performance testing requirement, and effective streamlining strategies. All five of the case studies are downloadable for free on our Code Compliance web page.

Want to learn more? Code Compliance Specialist Ryan Meres is giving a free webinar for local government officials about improving code compliance on Feb. 23. Sign up here.

A survey conducted by the Consumers Union and the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP) indicates that most Americans believe that homes should meet national energy standards and agree that energy-efficient homes reduce energy use and pollution. Read our press release for more information.

IMT's December update rounds up the recent energy-efficiency news.

Underfunding of code compliance initiatives is a nationwide problem, but some jurisdictions--including Austin, Texas, and the state of Wisconsin--are forging innovative, cost-effective approaches. Read more about their strategies for improving compliance in IMT's case studies, the first three in a series.

Maryland has become the first U.S. state to adopt the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code. Read our press release to learn more.

Cliff Majersik gave a talk on D.C.'s energy benchmarking policy last week to the High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition. The week before, he was in Arizona, addressing the National League of Cities' Congress of Cities & Exposition on Why Building Energy Code Compliance Matters.  

The U.S. Department of Energy has released an Advanced Energy Design Guide for 50% energy savings in K-12 school buildings, which is available for free download.

As the District of Columbia revises its construction code, the city looks ready to become one of the first jurisdictions to adopt the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), which would yield energy efficiency gains of 30 percent more than the 2006 IECC. See our press release for more.

IMT's Cliff Majersik spoke on Monday, June 27th in Montreal at ASHRAE's 2011 Annual Conference. His presentation, entitled, "What's Happening in the US: Policy Obstacles and Opportunities for Greater Building Efficiency," was part of a discussion of the current status of code-related activities in North America.