Information and Resources:
Why Adopt and Enforce Building Codes/Building Energy Codes?
Community building codes are vital for the protection of public safety, health and welfare. Building Code enforcement personnel ensure that building regulations are enforced equitably to reduce unsafe construction and minimize potential for injury or loss of life resulting from disaster. Building energy codes maximize energy efficiency and reduce energy usage and costs.
Who Benefits from Building Energy Code Adoption and Enforcement?
Everyone does. Building energy codes ensure that buildings are constructed to maximize energy efficiency and reduce energy usage and costs. Energy costs are a critical consideration in determining the affordability of housing. Communities that enforce up-to-date building energy codes invest in economic development through energy savings in both residential and commercial buildings, provide for a more "even playing field" by enforcing a standard that all builders must conform to, demonstrate healthier homes due to improved indoor air quality, and promote community development by requiring better housing standards.
How can a Community Adopt and Enforce Building Energy Codes?
A key factor to economic growth in any community is affordable quality housing. Energy-efficient buildings and construction practices save money, improve the long-term quality and comfort of buildings, and enhance the housing stock and economic growth of a community. The IDNR with assistance from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and allied resources provides supportive non-monetary assistance and encouragement to jurisdictions interested in adopting and enforcing building energy codes. A few Iowa communities are leading the way to more energy efficient construction of new buildings. Many Iowa communities lack the staff and economic resources to adopt and enforce building energy codes or building codes in general. The IDNR created a guide that contains creative approaches to assist community officials with exploring opportunities to overcome economic challenges toward building code implementation and enforcement and provides valuable information to local officials and builders on the benefits of building energy codes. The guide is available electronically and in printed form upon request.
Following are resources on building energy efficiency and for jurisdictions interested in more information on the benefits of adoption and enforcement of building energy codes:
The following PDF files are available for you to download:
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| How to Adopt Building Energy Codes in Your Community (2004) |
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| Why You Should Adopt Building Energy Codes in Your Community (2004) |
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| Iowa Building Plan Review and Field Inspection Study (2003) |
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| Iowa State University Cost Analysis Study of the Benefits & Comparison of Upgrading Building Energy Codes in Iowa (2003) |
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| Climate Change: A Greenhouse Gas Guide for the Iowa Insurance Industry (2001) |
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| State of Iowa Building Energy Code Officials Survey (2003) |
| - Survey Questions and Response Marginals |
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| - Survey Summary Report |
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For more information, please contact:
Michael Adams, Iowa Department of Natural Resources Energy & Waste Management Bureau; at (515) 281-4262 or email at Michael.Adams@dnr.iowa.gov.
W. Stuart Crine, State Building Code Commissioner, Department of Public Safety, at (515) 725-6170 or email at crine@dps.state.ia.us
For more information:
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