I appreciate the changes apoproved to the commercial section of the 2010 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and the fact that they are expected to lead to improvements in energy performance by as much as 30% (above ASHRAE Std, 90.1-2004). Our experience with approximately 30 projects seeking LEED certification (9 certified) and the Living Learning Center certified to the stringent Living Building Challenge (includes net zero energy) demonstrates that significant energy savings (and imporoved comfort and indoor air quality) is possible and affordable today.
However, codes are only minimum standards and in practice, based on the needs of society today, design professionals should be striving to have their buildings perform well above code. Many of us architects have in fact signed on to the 2030 Challenge by which we have agreed to achieve very high efficiency standrads - higher than code.
This is all great for the practicioners - including builders - that actually follow through. In many states, Missouri included, there is no state wide energy code. And in many places such as small towns and rural areas, there is no enforcement - no plan review, no code officials and no on-site observation - by officials responsible for seeing that building codes are met. In such cases I urge the design community and the AIA to work for legislation that will require adoption of stringent state wide energy codes. And I urge all design and building officials to design and build meet state energy codes even if they are not adopted or enforced at the particular project location. It is the responsible and professional thing to do.
Cheers,
Ralph Bicknese, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Principal
Hellmuth + Bicknese Architects
St. Louis, MO