Residential Buildings and the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code

The IECC, International Energy Conservation Code, is a building energy code that sets the requirements for energy efficiency for new homes and commercial buildings. The state of Ohio's current energy code is based on the 2006 IECC. Updated every 3 years, the IECC was updated in 2009. Ohio has not yet adopted the new code.

The 2009 IECC contains several improvements in energy efficiency codes for residential buildings, including:

• More stringent standards for ducts outside of heated spaces, to limit the amount of air and heat leaking out of them
• Increased insulation to keep heat in your home. The wood frame wall insulation requirement is increased from R19 to R20 over the 2006 IECC (See Ohio map below).
• 50% of all light bulbs have to be at least as efficient as CFLs (compact fluorescent lights)
• A label with all of the homes' energy efficient characteristics on the main electrical box is required.

Figure 1. The 2009 IECC code requirements for home insulation

Together, these changes are designed to make houses use energy more efficiently, lower the amount of energy you need, and save you money. A home in Ohio following the 2009 IECC on average would save $222 to $236 on utility bills per year compared to a house following the 2006 IECC, according to a US Department of Energy study (pdf).

The DOE study includes more details on the new requirements. The Journal of Light Construction also has a useful summary (pdf) of the new requirements. More detailed information is available on Ohio's Energy codes at: http://www.energycodes.gov/implement/state_codes/state_status.php?state_AB=OH

Governor Strickland pledged that Ohio would adopt the 2009 IECC, which is a requirement for receiving federal stimulus money for the state energy program. Several other states, including Illinois and Iowa have already passed the 2009 IECC.
Illinois: http://bcap-energy.org/node/374
Iowa: http://bcap-energy.org/node/517