Indiana Energy Conservation Code 2010 (675 IAC 14) — What It Required

Current Status

The 2010 Indiana Energy Conservation Code remains the governing statewide energy standard for Class 1 structures in Indiana. The code is based on ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007, including Indiana-specific amendments. Despite national updates to ASHRAE 90.1 and the IECC, Indiana has not adopted newer editions, making its commercial energy requirements among the least updated in the U.S.

2010 Indiana Energy Conservation Code

The 2010 Indiana Energy Conservation Code is based on ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007.

Mandatory statewide for Class 1 structures (commercial buildings and residential buildings with three or more dwelling units). The state provides cursory reviews of plans for all new Class 1 buildings and provides field inspections on buildings where no approved local building official exists.

Scope of the Code

Class 1 Structures (Covered)

Mandatory statewide for:

  • Commercial buildings

  • Industrial buildings

  • Multifamily residential buildings with three or more dwelling units

These buildings must comply with the provisions of ASHRAE 90.1-2007, as incorporated into the Indiana Administrative Code.

Class 2 Structures (Not Covered)

The 2010 Indiana Energy Code does not apply to:

  • One- and two-family dwellings

  • Townhomes

  • Manufactured homes

Adoption History

Indiana completed its first major commercial energy code update in nearly 20 years through an extended rulemaking process:

Timeline

  • December 2009: FPBSC approves Rule #09-388, creating 675 IAC 19-4, the Indiana Energy Conservation Code chapter.

  • March 30, 2010: Rule approved by the Attorney General and signed by the Governor.

  • April 6, 2010: Rule filed.

  • May 6, 2010: Code becomes effective statewide (30 days after filing).

  • The code officially adopts ASHRAE 90.1-2007, with Indiana amendments.

Since 2010, Indiana has not issued a comprehensive revision of its commercial energy requirements. Multiple legislative attempts to update or modernize the code have stalled.

Key Requirements (ASHRAE 90.1-2007 Basis)

Projects must comply with:

  • Building envelope insulation & air leakage limits

  • HVAC efficiency standards

  • Lighting power density limits

  • Controls, economizers, and equipment sizing

  • Service water-heating efficiency

  • Electrical system requirements

Designers may choose between:

  • The Prescriptive path

  • The Energy Cost Budget (ECB) performance path

Enforcement & Administration

The Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission (FPBSC) oversees the adoption, enforcement, and interpretation of Indiana’s building and energy codes.

  • The state conducts plan reviews for all new Class 1 structures.

  • Field inspections are handled by local building officials; where none exist, the state provides inspections.

  • Local jurisdictions cannot adopt stricter energy codes than the state—Indiana is a state preemption jurisdiction.

Energy requirements for Class 2 structures are handled separately under Indiana’s residential regulations.

After months of rulemaking and administrative review procedures, the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission completed work on the first substantial commercial energy code update in nearly two decades. Effective May 6, 2010, the 2010 Indiana Energy Conservation Code references ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007, as amended, for Class 1 structures (commercial buildings and residential buildings with three or more dwelling units). As part of the state’s new rule adoption process, the Rule #09-388 was approved by the Commission in December 2009, adding 675 IAC 19-4 to the Indiana Administrative Code. The rule was approved by the Attorney General and Governor on March 30, 2010 and became effective 30 days after its filing date of April 6, 2010.