Code Requirements to Improve Energy Efficiency?

A broad alliance of energy efficiency advocates known as the Energy Efficient Codes Coalition (EECC) is waging a campaign to reform the international model codes for residential construction to achieve a 30 percent improvement in residential energy efficiency in 2009.   

The EECC has proposed a bundle of changes that would affect standards in different areas, including space heating and cooling, thermal envelope, air sealing, hot water heating and lighting. 

Members of the International Code Council (ICC) will vote on the EECC proposal at the September ICC meeting in Minneapolis, Minn.

The National Association of Home Builders opposes the EECC proposal on the grounds that the costs are too high and the "payback time" is too long.