Energy conservation is everyone’s personal responsibility. Whether it is a single family home or an entire community, everyone contributes to power consumption and conservation by the choices they make every day. Energy prices continue to rise and existing fossil fuel resources continue to dwindle.
As such, the world as a whole must change how energy conservation is established and maintained to ensure a brighter future for the generations that will come after us. When engineers and architects design new homes and buildings, energy conservation should come first and foremost in any design considerations.
Those who design and construct modern buildings must be on the same page in terms of how best to conserve energy with up-to-date, research-based standards for electrical and power management systems. Otherwise, establishing energy conservation where we work and live becomes difficult if not impossible.
That’s where the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) comes into play. The International Code Council is such an important agent of change for the future of our energy resources for generations to come.
What is the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)?
The IECC is a set of building code standards that address energy efficiency on various fronts. The code delves into savings on energy bills, energy usage reduction, conserving natural resources and reducing the environmental impact of everyday energy usage.
Developed by the International Code Council (ICC) and introduced in 1998, the IECC is a set of contemporary energy conservation codes targeted at designing newer and more energy-efficient buildings. The code also prescribes the installation of more energy-efficient mechanical, power and lighting systems in existing facilities.
The code functions primarily as a system of regulatory requirements that put special emphasis on the energy-conserving performance of electrical systems within new and existing buildings and homes. Implementing the IECC helps everyone around the world put energy conservation first when it comes to new construction or renovating existing buildings.
The ICC also has a separate set of codes for residential buildings. This allows individual homeowners to do their part in the ongoing process of reducing energy waste and the high cost of heating, cooling and powering residential homes.
Why Does Making a Home or Building IECC Compliant Matter?
A sustainable future for our world’s population, economy and environment demand a solution. Buildings currently account for nearly 40 percent of the overall energy consumption in the United States. The key to reducing that percentage and ensuring our future includes smarter energy codes.
Building on a Strong Foundation
The IECC offers a common foundation for evaluation, regulation and incentivizing architects engineers, homeowners and contractors to implement energy-saving technology and devices. Furthermore, it is also a part of creating a cost-effective means of reducing the ever-rising demand for energy and power resources around the world as nations continue to grow, expand and develop.
Exceeding Minimum Requirements
Stakeholders, including homeowners, must provide more tangible support for reducing energy usage above and beyond the bare minimum code levels established by most nations individually. The IECC helps to inspire scientists and engineers to continue developing fresh means of conserving energy through the advancement of technology and greener design strategies.
Freeing Up Resources
As more and more nations adopt the use of these energy efficient technologies, more resources become available for developing further energy-conserving technologies. That’s because people spend less money on energy each year. Establishing an international code system helps create a common ground for educating builders and architects around the world about what constitutes energy efficiency.
Protecting Tenants and Homeowners
More importantly, the IECC protects owners and building tenants from the long-term financial strain that comes with inefficient designs and energy systems. The code helps people pinpoint what to do in terms of reducing energy bills year over year as costs continue to rise.
Strengthening the Economy
The IECC helps sustain the economy by creating jobs for code inspectors, researchers, engineers, and contractors. These people retrofit, upgrade and establish more energy-efficient buildings and building power systems. It also creates opportunities for energy conservation educators to help the workforce develop skillsets that were previously underemphasized.
Preserving the Future
The main goal of the IECC is about preserving our natural environment from excessive emissions via fossil fuel power generation. Most importantly, the IECC saves home and building owners money. This occurs through reducing needless energy consumption and waste due to inefficient heating, cooling, lighting, ventilation, and hot water production. This happens in new construction and within existing structures and residences.
The people of the world hold their own future in their hands in terms of energy consumption and conservation. Instead of burying our heads in the sand and hoping the energy crisis will resolve itself, the IECC allows nations and individuals to take matters into their own hands. Working together, we can build a better, more energy-efficient world.
Consider having your home, property or building evaluated for IECC compliance. Start making the changes to protect the future of energy for your family and community
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