Starting July 1, 2024, Colorado cities that update their building codes will adopt new standards that prioritize clean energy and operational efficiency in both residential and commercial construction.
This significant move is part of the state’s larger commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as stated by Colorado Energy Office chief Will Toor.
“Buildings are one of the five largest sources of greenhouse gas pollution in the state,” he emphasized.
Toor highlighted that achieving the state’s climate goals—halving greenhouse gas pollution by 2030 and moving towards net-zero emissions by 2050—requires a focused effort on decreasing pollution from buildings.
The most effective strategy to address this issue is to construct well-designed buildings from the outset, rather than conducting costly renovations later on.
The new building standards, developed from updated international guidelines, were crafted by a state energy codes board established by legislation in 2022.
This board consists of a diverse group of stakeholders, including builders, clean energy advocates, and local code officials, to ensure that a range of perspectives is taken into account.
Despite the push for greater sustainability, the new codes will not prohibit natural gas hookups for furnaces and appliances, although some advocacy groups have called for such measures to combat climate change.
Instead, these updated standards will promote clean electrification methods, such as electric heat pumps and induction ranges, through a scoring system that allocates more points to efficient alternatives.
Toor also pointed out that these building updates are not only aimed at combating global emissions but will also help to improve indoor air quality, which is often compromised by the combustion of fossil fuels.
Moreover, the new codes are designed to provide consumers with more predictable energy costs, as they can reduce dependence on natural gas supplies, which have historically experienced significant price fluctuations, as evidenced by the 2021 winter storm Uri.
“We know that energy costs are a big part of affordable living,” Toor remarked.
The state anticipates that the newly introduced codes will encounter less opposition compared to another initiative dubbed “building performance.”
This separate initiative, which some cities like Denver have already adopted, requires extensive renovations for existing large buildings to achieve a reduction in energy use and emissions based on an initial audit.
However, these performance measures have faced lawsuits from builders and building managers, who argue that compliance can incur exorbitant costs associated with updates ranging from new windows to heating systems.
In contrast, homebuilder trade organizations have expressed concerns about state-mandated energy codes since the political debates surrounding the legislation in 2022, warning that they could add thousands of dollars to the upfront costs of new homes.
The building codes primarily dictate the materials and appliances used, as well as the configuration of utility setups for future connections.
For instance, while the state’s regulations do not specify the number of electric vehicle (EV) chargers required in an apartment building, they do mandate that the necessary conduit for future installations be pre-set underneath pavement.
Additionally, rooftops and wiring systems must be prepared for solar panel installations, Toor explained.
Throughout the revision process, the board made a concerted effort to emphasize incentives rather than penalties.
For example, incorporating heat pumps into designs will yield efficiency credits under the new codes, potentially alleviating the requirements for other conventional systems within the property.
Toor clarified, “It essentially recognizes the fact that electric heat pumps are far more efficient than other forms of heating, and therefore it says that if you’re putting in a high efficiency electric heat pump, the requirements to do other things are lower than they would otherwise be.”
This approach seeks to create a more balanced playing field for various energy sources.
The state claims that these new codes are among the first to require new constructions to be “demand-response capable” for utilities, enabling them to temporarily cut off power to air conditioning and other appliances when consumers consent during peak demand periods.
Requirements will vary based on the size of the building, helping to maintain affordability.
For instance, homes under 5,000 square feet must comply with the baseline code, while those spanning from 5,000 to 7,499 square feet are required to reduce energy consumption by 7% to 10% from the baseline.
Finally, homes exceeding 7,500 square feet must achieve net-zero energy status.
image source from：coloradosun
