Building Codes Assistance Project

On December 30, the U.S. Department of Energy released its determination that the 2004 edition of the Energy Standard for Buildings, Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, better known as ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004, would achieve greater energy efficiency in buildings subject to the code than the previous edition for which it made a determination, Standard 90.1-1999.

The quantitative analysis of the energy consumption of buildings built to Standard 90.1-2004, as compared with buildings built to Standard 90.1-1999, provided a conservative estimate of national source energy savings of 13.9 percent of commercial building energy consumption and site energy savings of 11.9 percent. As a result of this positive determination, each state is required to certify by December 30, 2010 that it has reviewed the provisions of its commercial building code regarding energy efficiency, and updated it as necessary meet or exceed the stringency of Standard 90.1-2004.

Title III of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (EPCA) requires the Secretary of Energy to make a determination whether any new version of Standard 90.1 would energy efficiency in commercial buildings. If so, then no later than two years after the date of the publication of a positive determination, each state is required to certify that it has reviewed and updated the provisions of its commercial building code regarding energy efficiency to meet or exceed the stringency of the revised code.

For more information, view the Federal Register publication of the determination and the technical support documentation from DOE.