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New Energy Codes Will Save Idaho Millions
After a seven-year struggle, the Idaho Legislature in March passed the state's first commercial and residential energy building codes to meet the 2000 International Building Code . The code includes energy efficiency standards. Proponents, led by former Department of Water Resources energy analyst Ken Baker , laid the foundation for success by building a strong statewide coalition of stakeholders to help advance the proposed codes through the legislature.
The estimated energy savings are substantial. According to Baker, now with Baker Energy in Boise , an annual investment of $12.5 million in additional energy efficiency-related residential construction costs will yield $20.5 million in annual energy savings. For new commercial construction, a $713,000 investment will return about $4.3 million.
The residential code requires more efficient windows and improved under-flooring, such as treatment of crawl spaces and floor insulation. The new commercial code will primarily enhance the efficiency of building walls, floors, ceilings and lighting. Previous commercial code proposals also addressed heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, but the final package excluded those measures.
The Idaho law puts enforcement in the hands of local permitting agencies. While this flexibility in enforcement may allow builders to be creative, it could result in dramatically different compliance within the state. The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance just released a survey of the characteristics of commercial and residential buildings in the four Northwest states. Prepared by Seattle-based Ecotope , the study found codes yield the most energy savings when enforcement is persistent and consistent.
— Nancy Hirsh