Make Your Voice Heard - Delaware Building Code Update

Buildings are among the largest users of energy, accounting for approximately 36% of all energy consumed, and 40% of greenhouse gas emissions globally.*  Because of this, policies that govern the way buildings and homes use energy are critical for addressing climate change and helping tenants save on their utility bills. Building codes set a minimum construction standard to protect the health, safety, and welfare of those constructing, occupying, and managing buildings.

Currently, the Delaware Department of Natural Recources and Environmental Countrol is undergoing a regulatory process to adopt the latest building energy codes for all new commercial and residential buildings.  Delaware’s Energy Conservation Code Act (16 Del.C. § 7602) requires DNREC to adopt the most recent and/or highest available version of the IECC Code and the ASHRAE standard.

The Delaware Community of Green Building United supports the adoption of the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and the latest American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 90.1-2016 without amendment. By adopting these standards without changes, Delaware has the opportunity to lead while also benefitting the health, safety, and pocketbooks of its residents.

However, DNREC is receiving pushback from interest groups to loosen some of the IECC code mandatory requirement on air infiltration rate (air tightness) for the home. The airtightness is a crucial to ensure new homes are efficient, healthy, and comfortable for occupants.

Your help is needed to ensure this improved building energy code is adopted in DE without compromises. Because adopting the updated code is a public process it will come down to the number of comments, support, and pushback received. The Delaware Community would like to call on your support to submit a comment and help us raise the "floor" in DE. 

*https://www.iea.org/topics/energyefficiency/buildings/

Tell DNREC to adopt the new codes without any amendments! 

Here's how:

• Sumbit a Comment to DNREC using their comments form, or by emailing DNRECHearingComments@delaware.gov 

• Include the Docket Number in your form or email - #2019-R-CCE 0020

• Choose to represent the organization you work for or Green Building United

• If you would like to include a longer letter - upload the file or attach it to your email

• Comments are due by December 18th, 2019