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2024 IECC winds its way to finalization; comments on residential section due Friday
The draft commercial and residential sections of the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), which have been out for public comment since this fall, could result in adoption of the first ever measures to go beyond energy stringency and target building decarbonization. The commercial section closed to comments in October and included improvements on traditional efficiency measures, but also options focused on electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, solar and storage readiness, and grid integration. There were also a number of proposals working to improve existing building efficiency.
For residential construction, the IECC comment period is open until 12/16. Learn more about how to make your voice heard in the buttons below. Similar to the
commercial section, proposals cover electrification readiness for end-uses such as hot water heating, EV charging, and solar readiness infrastructure although these proposals were accepted during the committee process with significantly more compromise. In all, residential proposals, if adopted, would result in approximately 5-8% efficiency improvement. Proposals for the commercial section would deliver 10.6% site energy savings. The full IECC is expected to be finalized by May 2023.
Cleveland’s Agora complex is first to be rewarded with lower cost financing for a CIRRUS Low Carbon Project
The Agora, an iconic Cleveland building known for hosting the likes of The Ramones and Foo Fighters, will soon also provide modern office space and market-rate housing for the city’s Midtown neighborhood. Renew Partners LLC, a Cleveland-based company focused on the development and adaptive reuse of historic buildings, is working with Sabor Group USA on the restoration project. The $15.5 million historic renovation is the first in the nation designated as a CIRRUS™ Low Carbon commercial project, accessing lower cost financing for designing with low carbon measures.
Scheduled to begin construction this fall, The Residences and Offices at the Agora will include 48 market-rate apartments as well as 21,000 square feet of office and restaurant space. The groundbreaking CIRRUS Low Carbon Program is offered by Milwaukee-based PACE Equity while the design specification was created by NBI, which also provides technical support for the program.
New tools from EMPOWERED support distributed energy resource permitting and inspections
Navigating new processes for building permits required for distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar, storage, and electric vehicles (EVs) can be daunting because of lack of experience with these clean energy measures. Under a three-year project, funded by the Department of Energy, NBI and partners have developed a series of guidelines to streamline permitting and inspection for DERs, which reduce carbon emissions, save people money, and help balance energy supply and demand on the grid.
These guidelines provide an overview of code requirements for
the installation of Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment and Energy Storage Systems (stand alone and paired with simple photovoltaic systems) in single family, multifamily, and office buildings. Additional EMPOWERED education resources are available at the Clean Energy Clearinghouse. NBI and IREC want to hear about user experiences with this virtual education in order to better understand industry needs. Provide feedback with a five-minute questionnaire linked below and be entered into a drawing for a cash gift card!
Embodied carbon draws attention from the building sector
As materials and construction account for 11% of global carbon emissions, the building community must reduce this carbon source across the supply chain to achieve a low carbon future. However, embodied carbon emissions are currently not part of energy efficiency regulated by the energy code. Earlier this year, NBI and partners introduced the topic of embodied carbon to the International Code Council (ICC) membership and for the first time embodied carbon was debated for inclusion in the International Building Code (IBC).
Together, concrete and steel emissions typically account for 50% of total material emissions in commercial projects. As written, the NBI embodied carbon IBC proposal would have required concrete and steel products to meet specific global warming potential (GWP) limits and carbon impact disclosure through environmental product declarations (EPDs) for masonry, glass, and wood products. While the proposal was not adopted, there are a growing number of jurisdictions looking at policies to address emissions from embodied carbon.
New to embodied carbon? Get briefed at an on-demand webinar!
Embodied Carbon: Deeper Decarbonization of the Built Environment
This one-hour session covers embodied carbon basics, provides up-to-date information on embodied carbon codes and policies in California and beyond, and showcases perspectives from manufacturing and case studies from building design professionals. Speakers examine how materials manufacturers are planning to reach carbon neutrality, and what decisions are designers making to meet embodied carbon policies? These actionable lessons will empower designers, manufacturers, policymakers, and building owners to curb embodied carbon in the building industry and prepare for codes and policies.
This webinar is funded by California utility customers and administered by San Diego Gas & Electric® Company under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.
Laying the groundwork for 120-volt HPWH technology
Since last summer, NBI has been working with partners and funders to field test new 120-volt heat pump water heater technology in homes across California. A whopping 85% of water heaters use gas for heating water in the state so this emerging technology represents a critical opportunity for California’s efficiency and decarbonization goals.
Spearheaded by the Advanced Water Heating Initiative, the 12-month study is installing 120-volt HPWHs in over 30 qualifying single-family and multifamily homes. Unlike the 240-volt version that’s commonplace today, the 120-volt model can be plugged into an existing outlet, making it easier and cheaper to swap them for conventional models. Participating households agree to participate in monitoring and data collection for 9-12 months, covering both summer and peak winter conditions.
Over 150 partners celebrate Heat Pump Water Heater Day
Over 150 partnering individuals and businesses shared online resources Oct. 26, the first official Heat Pump Water Heater Day. These advocates, manufacturers, installers, homebuilders, and HPWH owners helped raise awareness about this important technology that meets hot water needs while reducing carbon emissions and climate impacts. It's not too late to help spread the word. Some resources ready to share include:
A recorded HPWH Manufacturers Round Table where major manufacturers of ENERGY STAR certified heat pump water heaters present a general overview of how it works and saves consumers money
NBI’s Reilly Loveland Falvey wins kudos from NEEA and USGBC
NBI Senior Project Manager Reilly Loveland Falvey was honored Dec. 5 with a Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance 2022 Leadership in Energy Efficiency Awards. Reilly received the Leadership in Energy Efficiency Rising Star Award for her tremendous efforts to transform educational facilities across California, Oregon, and Washington into healthy, energy-efficient spaces.
Three new staff members have joined NBI in recent months! Emma Riccardi (pictured left), joins as a Project Analyst for the Leadership and Market Development program, Ryan Miller is the new Director of Core Mission Support (pictured right), and Toni Jo Howard (not pictured) is our new Finance Manager. Want to work with an incredible group of people? NBI is hiring several positions.
Join us in Minneapolis on May 10-12 and take advantage of Early Bird prices for the 2023 Getting to Zero Forum
Don't miss your chance to gather with the world's leading experts in creating market-based solutions to decarbonize buildings and drive a growing movement to define a new future for the built environment. A stellar group of program advisors have developed sessions on critial topics such as electrification, embodied carbon, advanced design, policy innovation, new technologies, equity in a clean energy transition, and more.
MEEA invites all energy stakeholders to gather at its annual Midwest Energy Solutions Conference to raise awareness and reinforce the importance of energy efficiency in the Midwest. MES is about celebrating accomplishments in energy efficiency, as well as laying out the efficiency program and policy landscape for the coming year.
This event brings together all the players involved in making green schools a reality. Designed to educate, connect and inspire, attendees of the in-person conference will explore interdisciplinary content and offer dedicated time with peers to work through specific challenges, share best practices, and generate momentum to further green school actions across the country.
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