Diving Into Hot Topic #5

After more than 20 years of modest gains in new home energy efficiency, the building industry received a swift kick in the butt in 2006. According to U.S. Department of Energy data, energy use was cut by 30% between the 2006 and 2012 IECC. In other words, the bar was raised from a 117 HERS in 1986 (based on today’s scale) to a HERS index of 100 in 2006, 85 in 2009, and 70 in 2012. That’s a lot of change over six years!

Similar to the adoption of energy codes from state to state, Alliance builders vary widely in terms of the level of energy efficiency they’re delivering in their homes. Some builders are letting codes drive the process, while others are offering energy efficiency focused upgrades. A fair percentage of Alliance builders have made the conscious decision to stay above energy code in every home they deliver, and in a few cases they’re achieving net zero energy.

One thing Alliance builders all have in common is a desire to better understand the code evolution process and more effectively manage the impact it has on their businesses. That’s why "Understanding 2012 IECC" emerged as one of the top 5 hot topics for Alliance Best Practices Research.

When looking at 2012 IECC and energy codes in general, there are 5 key areas to address.

1. Seeing the Bigger Picture – What will residential code look like in the next 3, 6, 9 years? Why?
2. Knowing the Differences – What are the differences between IECC 2012 versus 2006 and 2009? Technically? In terms of the compliance process? From a cost perspective – for the builder and the buyer? What’s the difference between the prescriptive and the performance path?
3. Weighing the Pros and Cons – Strategically, how might you want to think differently about your house – whole house design, cost optimization, etc.? Why deliver above code? How can builders effectively demonstrate value to the buyer? Realtors? Appraisers?
4. Applying 2012 IECC – Who’s deciding what to implement? How can you bring your team up to speed? In a climate of change, how can you work more effectively with your trades? Your suppliers? Your code officials?
5. Preparing for Future Codes – How can you stay up-to-date on what’s happening with codes? How can you get your voice heard as a key stakeholder? What business processes can you set up within your own company to make it easier to evolve your product over time and stay in step with or ahead of codes?

We’ve begun gathering information on this topic by reaching out to folks like BCAP (the Building Codes Assistance Project) and IECC, and will be bringing ideas, information and resources to the table. As always, we want to make sure Alliance members are engaged throughout the process, providing your own ideas and helping to drive this Best Practices Research so that it addresses your business concerns. So…

What do you think?

Why is this topic important to you? When you think of ‘Understanding IECC 2012’, what do you want the Alliance to cover? Any good examples or experts you’d like to suggest? Email us with your ideas, or post them in our LinkedIn Group.