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Code Status: Delaware

This page contains information about current energy codes in the state of Delaware. Information for all 50 States is also available. Delaware Code News.

Current State Codes

  • Residential Code: 2000 IECC, mandatory statewide; can use REScheck to show compliance.
  • Commercial Code: ASHRAE 90.1-1999, mandatory statewide; can use COMcheck to show compliance.
  • Code Change Cycle: No set schedule. Most recent update effective: July 1, 2004.
  • Jurisdictions: (Information last updated August 13, 2008. See ICC Online for up-to-date jurisdictional adoption information).
    • 2006 IECC: Camden, Newark
    • 2003 IECC: Harrington
    • 2000 IECC: New Castle County
    • Other local code: Kent County

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Code Adoption & Change Process

Process Type: Legislative

Code Change Process: The Delaware General Assembly considers new legislation in January of each year. Further legislative action is required to amend Section 7602 of Title 16 of the Delaware Code.

State Code History: In 1979 the Delaware legislature passed Senate Bill 321, which established a minimum code for energy conservation. The legislation provided that no county or municipality may adopt a building or plumbing code that contradicts the energy requirements of the Model Code for Energy Conservation in New Building Construction (MCEC) (a model code based on ASHRAE/IES 90-1975.) This legislation established the minimum provisions within the state but left it up to the counties and municipalities to adopt a code that fits within the guidelines outlined in the bill. State legislation (Senate Bill 83) adopted the 1993 MEC statewide in 1995, as codified in Section 7602 of Title 16 of the Delaware Code. Currently, the state has adopted the 2001 IECC, with its reference to ASHRAE 90.1-1999.

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Energy Consumption Estimates

The consumption estimates below are derived from the total end use of residential and commercial energy consumption in the United States in 2005, and are not limited to energy consumption based on building code-related factors. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration.

  • Residential Sector: 71.3 Trillion BTU
  • Commercial Sector: 58.3 Trillion BTU
  • Total Energy Consumption: 129.6 Trillion BTU
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Construction Activity

Residential:

  • Population (2000 US Census)1: 783,600
  • Total Housing Units2: 352,031
  • 2004 New Housing Units Authorized by Permit (Privately Owned)3:
    • total units: 7,940
    • 1 unit: 7,524
    • 2 units: 2
    • 3 and 4 units: 16
    • 5+ units: 398
    • structures of 5+ units: 31

References:

  1. http://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t2/tab01.xls
  2. http://www.census.gov/population/estimates/housing/sthuhh1.txt
  3. http://www.census.gov/const/C40/Table2/20k_t2yu200412.txt
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Web Links

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State Energy Code Contacts

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