Hawaii
In July 2015, the Hawaii State Building Code Council unanimously approved the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with amendments. The code sets energy efficiency requirements for both residential and commercial buildings. Read more about this code here.
Maryland
On January 1, 2015, the State of Maryland adopted the 2015 IECC with local adoption and enforcement required by July 1, 2015. It was the first state to adopt the most recent model energy code.
New Jersey
In September, New Jersey adopted the 2015 IECC for residential construction and ASHRAE 90.1 2013 for commercial construction with only a few amendments. The state also adopted the Energy Rating Index (ERI) compliance option with the 2015 IECC, specifying a score of 54 or lower for Climate Zone 4 and a score of 55 or lower in Climate Zone 5. With the six month grace period, these codes will both become effective this March.
Texas
This past June, Texas enacted HB 1736, which improved the energy efficiency of single family homes by moving the minimum energy code up to the 2015 IRC Chapter 11.
Vermont
In March 2015, new revisions to the Residential Building Energy Standards (RBES) in Vermont took effect, moving the base code to the 2015 IECC. The new Residential Stretch Code, which was set to go into effect on December 1, would require air leakage testing for those homes needing to meet Residential Stretch Code through the Act 250 process or in towns where Stretch Code is adopted as the base energy code standard. Revisions to the Commercial Building Energy Standards (CBES), also took effect in March. It is based upon amendments to the International Energy Conservation Code 2015 Supplement. The CBES also allows an alternative compliance path of ASHRAE 90.1 2013 with some Vermont specific requirements. CBES applies to most new commercial construction, including additions, alterations, renovations, and repairs.
Honorable mentions – code adoptions since the beginning of the year:
Alabama
On January 1, 2016, the 2015 Alabama Commercial Energy Code, based on ASHRAE 90.1 2013, took effect.
Illinois
The Capital Development Board and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity have updated the Illinois Energy Conservation Code from the 2012 IECC to the 2015 IECC with state-specific amendments. The effective date for this new code was January 1, 2016.
Click here to read about energy code adoption milestones during the previous year.