Energy regulations play a key role in helping reduce energy consumption. They set the mandatory requirements for new building construction and major renovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The nation\u2019s top building energy codes and standards\u2014Part 6 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and ANSI\/ASHRAE\/IES Standard 90.1 \u2014are used by every U.S. state as the basis for local building energy codes. These codes contain the mandatory lighting requirements that architects, designers, engineers and builders must meet for commercial and residential new construction or major renovation projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The IECC addresses both residential and commercial buildings, while ASHRAE provides further regulation for commercial buildings only.[1]<\/sup> U.S. building codes are typically updated every three years, with provisional updates proposed in between.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In practical terms, energy regulations<\/a> aim to reduce energy consumption. The goal is to reduce human impact on climate change. The latest global trend focuses on achieving net-zero emissions status.<\/strong> That means running entirely on renewable energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many states have outlined plans and dates for achieving net-zero emissions status. The U.S. has committed<\/a> to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, with California setting the goal of achieving 100% renewable zero-carbon energy by 2045.[3]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n Potential drawbacks of energy regulation are real, too. <\/strong> \u201cUse of occupancy sensors in a daylit space can mean that lights come on when they are not needed,\u201d lighting designer Christine Culver noted in an article about occupancy sensor controls<\/a>, adding that some lighting controls require location-specific commissioning, have higher power requirements and \u201care prone to false-on triggers.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Certain energy regulation problems are well known throughout the industry. For example, one California study<\/a> found that reducing water flow caused backups or pipe problems. Other problems, according to a report by American Home Shield (AHS), which was created in 1971 to protect homeowners from the inconvenience and cost of unexpected breakdowns, include flushing, noise and water pressure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Low-flow toilets \u201crely on a pressure-assisted system that makes a distinctive \u2018whooshing\u2019 sound which tends to be louder than a regular toilet flush.\u201d AHS also discovered that these reduced water flow toilets may not force waste far enough down the drain, which can lead to clogged pipes and other plumbing problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBecause they use a reduced volume of water and may apply less pressure than a regular toilet,\u201d AHS notes, \u201clow-flow toilets do not always flush waste as well as their standard counterparts. A second or third flush is sometimes needed to ensure heavy waste has cleared the bowl, requiring the consumption of more water and rendering the toilet less efficient.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The article cites additional problems in older homes\u2014because \u201c[t]he older the house, the greater the chance your plumbing may require adjustment or replacement in order to be compatible with low-flow toilets. This can lead to installation taking more time and being more expensive than anticipated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, strict lighting power allowance regulations can mean limiting the amount of light that may be preferred for certain types of spaces that are not addressed as thoroughly in the energy codes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Four states have codes that override and exceed Federal energy regulation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n California\u2019s Title 24 currently imposes the most stringent set of regulations. On the other end of the spectrum, states like Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Alabama are less restrictive. These states currently abide by the IECC\u2019s 2015 standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sources:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n ICC. California Energy Code<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n [1] Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership. Building Energy Codes and Appliance Standards<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n [2] Edison Electric Institute. Update: Energy Codes for Buildings & Equipment Efficiency Standards<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n [3] California Energy Commission. Clean Energy Serving California<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe impact of energy regulations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Hasty regulating without considering all potential use-case scenarios and consequences can have inefficient and problematic outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nStates leading the way on energy policy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n