Energy use in the built environment accounts for 39% of U.S. CO2 emissions. To help mitigate that, the New Buildings Institute (NBI) released the Building Decarbonization Code that aims to deliver carbon neutral performance in both residential and commercial construction. It is code language that can be used by states and cities that serves as a building decarbonization overlay to the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Also, it offers market insight into rules that will determine how new buildings are designed and constructed in the future in order to curb the worst impacts of climate change.
Along with the code language, NBI has released an on-demand, one-hour webinar, Getting to Zero: Carbon Neutral Codes. It covers the opportunities for states and cities to leverage their energy codes in order to maximize carbon reductions and minimize costs, including a broad overview of best practice strategies and approach in action. NBI staff introduce new “decarbonization code language” and how it overlays with the IECC and prioritizes efficient electric equipment.
Wisconsin Resource on Net Zero Energy Building
A resource developed in Wisconsin to help municipalities promote net zero energy in commercial and institutional buildings is the Eau Claire Net Zero Energy Building Guide, January 2020 draft. The guide is a tool for use by the municipality, institutions, businesses, residents, and others in the advancement of Net Zero Energy buildings within the City and larger metro area. The guide can be used for new construction and existing buildings. The guide was drafted as a companion to the City of Eau Claire’s recent Renewable Energy Action Plan to address action items under commercial, institutional and industrial buildings.