Green Building Codes
Green building codes go beyond minimum code requirements, raising the bar for energy efficiency. They can serve as a proving ground for future standards, and incorporate elements beyond the scope of the model energy codes, such as water and resource efficiency. As regional and national green building codes and programs become more available, they provide jurisdictions with another tool for guiding construction and development in an overall less impactful, more sustainable manner.
International Green Construction Code (IgCC)
The International Code Council's (ICC's) International Green Construction code (IgCC) is an overlay code, meaning it is written in a manner to be used with all the other ICC codes. The IgCC contains provisions for site development and land use, energy efficiency, water conservation, material resource conservation and efficiency, indoor environmental quality and comfort, commissioning and operations and maintenance, and existing buildings. The energy efficiency provisions use the commercial provisions of the IECC as a basis, and then improve on them by generally increasing the efficiency of the IECC provisions by 10%. ASHRAE Standard 189.1 is also adopted by reference in the IgCC as an alternative path to compliance.
Revision Process
All ICC model codes, including the IgCC, are revised every three years through a tri-annual public consensus process.
DOE's Participation
DOE participates in the ICC consensus process to update the commercial building provisions of the IgCC. DOE develops changes designed to increase energy efficiency in commercial buildings, participates in code hearings, and prepares and responds to public comments. Through this development process, DOE works to foster increased efficiency in commercial and high-rise residential buildings.
For more information on the DOE role in the development of building energy codes, visit the About section of this website.
ASHRAE Standard 189.1
ASHRAE Standard 189.1, Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, addresses site sustainability, water use efficiency, energy use efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and the impact on the atmosphere, materials and resources by buildings, as well as high-performance operation.
Revision Process
All ASHRAE standards are revised according to a consensus process developed and maintained by ASHRAE and reviewed by the American National Standards Institute.
DOE's Participation
The U.S. Department of Energy is a member of the ASHRAE 189.1 Standing Standards Project Committee (SSPC) and participates in updating and maintaining Standard 189.1; helping SSPC 189.1 develop changes associated with increasing energy efficiency in new commercial buildings by developing addenda, responding to public comments, and assessing and voting on addenda to the standard.
For more information on the DOE role in the development of building energy codes, visit the About section of this website.
Going Beyond Code
A Guide for Creating Effective Green Building Programs for Energy Efficient and Sustainable Communities
The Going Beyond Code Guide is designed to help state and local governments design and implement successful "beyond code" programs for new commercial and residential buildings. The guide addresses keys to successful adoption and implementation and discusses the primary areas typically included in beyond code or green building programs, including energy efficiency, materials and resource conservation, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and site development and land use. Detailed descriptions, analysis of actual programs, lessons learned, and best practices are also discussed. States and localities can use the information on local programs, model codes and standards, and the model energy efficiency criteria for residential and commercial buildings to find the best approach for their jurisdiction to develop and implement an effective beyond code program.