Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine November 2019

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is constructed, it is significantly more expensive to achieve higher efficiency levels. Energy codes ensure that a building's energy use is including as a fundamental part of the design and construction process; making this early investment in energy efficiency will pay dividends to owners and occupants for years into the future. Who benefits from energy codes? • Consumers and homebuyers can be assured that they have purchased or rented a home that meets minimum standards for energy efficiency, and as a result will see significantly lower utility bills. • The construction industry can have a documented advantage over existing homes, as well as a level playing field, with respect to minimum energy efficiency requirements. • Code officials can be confident that new and renovated buildings are designed and built to meet industry standards for quality and comfort, thus improving consumer protection. • Utilities can benefit from supporting energy codes through access to cost-benefit data to use in determining future investments and attribution of savings to efficiency programs. Additionally, codes can

provide better energy forecasting and decreased peak demand. • State and local governments can reduce energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions, while ensuring that their constituents live and work in comfortable buildings with low utility bills. References 1 As defined by statute, the model energy codes are the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) for residential buildings, and ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 for commercial buildings (42 USC 6833) • 2 EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator • 3 EIA's Annual Energy Outlook 2016, Energy Consumption by Sector and Source (Table A2) • 4 EIA Annual Energy Outlook • 5 DOE Buildings Energy Data Book • 6 Architecture 2030 Article reprinted from the US Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency & Renewal Energy : https://www.energycodes.gov/about/why-building- energy-codes •