Making Residential Energy Codes More Effective: Building Science, Beyond Code Programs, and Effective Implementation Strategies

摘要

The energy-efficient design and construction of new residential buildings is a vital part of an effective energy, economic, and environmental strategy. Through effective design and construction of new houses, less energy is used, thereby reducing energy expenditures and environmental pollutants. Houses with lower peak demand also require smaller generation and distribution capacities. Because the marketplace does not uniformly secure energy-efficient design and construction on its own, minimum requirements have been established through the use of energy standards and codes. To be most effective at improving the energy efficiency of buildings, energy codes need to be successfully implemented and enforced. They also need to be viewed in light of sound building science practices and a systems approach to construction. In addition, it should be recognized that they are a minimum requirement. Code implementation programs and efficient building programs can be coupled, resulting in improved building efficiency, and possibly an improved code. In this paper, we look at some of the issues facing residential energy codes and also at some of the opportunities for improving these codes. We also discuss effective implementation strategies, for no code, no matter how good, can save energy without implementation. This paper is the printed companion to a Roundtable discussion of the same topic. The Roundtable discussion will present additional material.