Building energy codes contain minimum energy efficiency provisions for residential and commercial buildings and can include requirements for the efficiency of the windows, the levels of insulation, and the efficiency of the heating and cooling equipment used. Energy codes can have either a prescriptive approach, followed as prescribed, or a performance approach, where efficiency measures in one area can be traded off with other areas.
The value of energy efficiency in the form of energy codes is recognized as a simple and cost-effective way to reduce energy consumption, reduce energy bills, make housing more affordable, reduce air pollution and improve air quality. Energy codes are important because it is much cheaper and easier to save energy before the building is constructed. Buildings consume 40% of the world's raw materials and energy and today's buildings may be around for 75 years. Therefore, if energy efficiency components are not incorporated in new construction, we lose savings opportunities over the lifetime of the building.
Learn More about Building Codes
Learn more about the models that states can adopt as their building energy code from our Model Energy Codes page.
Learn more about the codes that have been adopted in Midwest states at our Midwest Energy Codes page.
