City of Taos, NM Modifies City's Building Energy Code by Adopting HERS 70 or Better
In September 2009 the Taos Town Council adopted the High Performance Program as part of the community’s Vision 2020 Master Plan. The High Performance Program modified the town’s building energy code to require a HERS Index on all new homes.
When the requirement went into effect, the code required a HERS Index of 85 or better for homes that were 3,000 square feet or larger. On January 1, 2010 the code was revise to require a HERS Index of 80 or better for all homes. On January 1, 2011 the HERS Index target was moved to 75 or better. On January 1, 2012 the requirement was tightened to a HERS Index of 70 or better.
In adopting the HERS Index requirement The Taos Town Council found that “energy rating systems and high performance building standards are now in widespread use to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy costs”.
For more information on the Taos energy code requirement click on Taos HERS Index
Albuquerque Rolls Back Strict Energy Conservation Code, December 20, 2011
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Updated: December 20, 2011
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —Albuquerque city councilors have narrowly agreed to roll back the city's strict energy code, which was intended to make the city a leader in energy conservation.
The council voted 5-4 along party lines Monday night to abandon the code in favor of the less strict —and less costly —state code. Republicans supported the rollback, saying it will make Albuquerque more builder-friendly.
Some developers and environmentalists said Tuesday the city has taken a step backward by adopting the new code, which is based on the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code, a collection of standards that have been vetted by architects, engineers and builders from across the country.
The city's previous code was in line with what has been proposed for the 2012 international code. It included more stringent requirements for builders on things like insulation, windows and lighting than the state code and the 2009 international standards.
Supporters contend the stricter code was making city buildings 5 to 19 percent more efficient than those built under the state code.
"The rollback of the Albuquerque energy code benefits a few at the expense of residents and small business owners," said Cricket Appel, executive director of the U.S. Green Building Council's New Mexico Chapter. "The impact of increased energy costs will particularly burden low and moderate income families and small businesses who are likely to occupy older housing or newer structures built at the lower standard."
The council's action comes about six months after Gov. Susana Martinez's administration rolled back stricter state building codes than had been adopted under former governor Democrat Bill Richardson and touted as some of the greenest in the country.
Supporters of the city's new code contend its strikes a balance between making buildings efficient and encouraging development.
"Adopting this new energy conservation code gives Albuquerque an updated code and permits homes, offices, stores and warehouses to be built more cost effectively and energy efficiently," Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry said in a statement.
The mayor said the new code also puts Albuquerque on a level playing field with other cities and puts the city on track for adopting future standardized codes.
The city has also hired a new green building code manager who will start in January.
Councilors who voted in favor of the measure argued during Monday's meeting that the code simply sets minimum requirements and that builders and homebuyers who want to pay for more efficiency can still do so.
Supporters of the previous code said more efficient buildings and homes, while marginally more expensive to build, would lead to immediate savings for owners when it comes to heating and cooling expenses. They also argued it would reduce pollution from coal-fired power plants and other generating sources.
"The city code was developed in 2009 and at that time we were planning for and preparing for the future. That future was one in which energy efficient buildings and energy efficient building codes would be the norm," said Shrayas Jatkar of the Sierra Club. "That future is here, but the city is now taking a step backward."
Supporters of the old code said they are hoping the efficiency trend will not lose steam with the council's vote and that the retrofitting of existing buildings to be more efficient will continue to be encouraged. They said that work could even produce more work for the city's electricians, plumbers and other trades workers.
Courtesy of Associated Press 2011
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Updated: December 20, 2011 - 8:03 pm
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —Albuquerque city councilors have narrowly agreed to roll back the city's strict energy code, which was intended to make the city a leader in energy conservation.
The council voted 5-4 along party lines Monday night to abandon the code in favor of the less strict —and less costly —state code. Republicans supported the rollback, saying it will make Albuquerque more builder-friendly.
Some developers and environmentalists said Tuesday the city has taken a step backward by adopting the new code, which is based on the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code, a collection of standards that have been vetted by architects, engineers and builders from across the country.
The city's previous code was in line with what has been proposed for the 2012 international code. It included more stringent requirements for builders on things like insulation, windows and lighting than the state code and the 2009 international standards.
Supporters contend the stricter code was making city buildings 5 to 19 percent more efficient than those built under the state code.
"The rollback of the Albuquerque energy code benefits a few at the expense of residents and small business owners," said Cricket Appel, executive director of the U.S. Green Building Council's New Mexico Chapter. "The impact of increased energy costs will particularly burden low and moderate income families and small businesses who are likely to occupy older housing or newer structures built at the lower standard."
The council's action comes about six months after Gov. Susana Martinez's administration rolled back stricter state building codes than had been adopted under former governor Democrat Bill Richardson and touted as some of the greenest in the country.
Supporters of the city's new code contend its strikes a balance between making buildings efficient and encouraging development.
"Adopting this new energy conservation code gives Albuquerque an updated code and permits homes, offices, stores and warehouses to be built more cost effectively and energy efficiently," Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry said in a statement.
The mayor said the new code also puts Albuquerque on a level playing field with other cities and puts the city on track for adopting future standardized codes.
The city has also hired a new green building code manager who will start in January.
Councilors who voted in favor of the measure argued during Monday's meeting that the code simply sets minimum requirements and that builders and homebuyers who want to pay for more efficiency can still do so.
Supporters of the previous code said more efficient buildings and homes, while marginally more expensive to build, would lead to immediate savings for owners when it comes to heating and cooling expenses. They also argued it would reduce pollution from coal-fired power plants and other generating sources.
"The city code was developed in 2009 and at that time we were planning for and preparing for the future. That future was one in which energy efficient buildings and energy efficient building codes would be the norm," said Shrayas Jatkar of the Sierra Club. "That future is here, but the city is now taking a step backward."
Supporters of the old code said they are hoping the efficiency trend will not lose steam with the council's vote and that the retrofitting of existing buildings to be more efficient will continue to be encouraged. They said that work could even produce more work for the city's electricians, plumbers and other trades workers.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Updated: December 20, 2011 - 8:03 pm
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —Albuquerque city councilors have narrowly agreed to roll back the city's strict energy code, which was intended to make the city a leader in energy conservation.
The council voted 5-4 along party lines Monday night to abandon the code in favor of the less strict —and less costly —state code. Republicans supported the rollback, saying it will make Albuquerque more builder-friendly.
Some developers and environmentalists said Tuesday the city has taken a step backward by adopting the new code, which is based on the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code, a collection of standards that have been vetted by architects, engineers and builders from across the country.
The city's previous code was in line with what has been proposed for the 2012 international code. It included more stringent requirements for builders on things like insulation, windows and lighting than the state code and the 2009 international standards.
Supporters contend the stricter code was making city buildings 5 to 19 percent more efficient than those built under the state code.
"The rollback of the Albuquerque energy code benefits a few at the expense of residents and small business owners," said Cricket Appel, executive director of the U.S. Green Building Council's New Mexico Chapter. "The impact of increased energy costs will particularly burden low and moderate income families and small businesses who are likely to occupy older housing or newer structures built at the lower standard."
The council's action comes about six months after Gov. Susana Martinez's administration rolled back stricter state building codes than had been adopted under former governor Democrat Bill Richardson and touted as some of the greenest in the country.
Supporters of the city's new code contend its strikes a balance between making buildings efficient and encouraging development.
"Adopting this new energy conservation code gives Albuquerque an updated code and permits homes, offices, stores and warehouses to be built more cost effectively and energy efficiently," Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry said in a statement.
The mayor said the new code also puts Albuquerque on a level playing field with other cities and puts the city on track for adopting future standardized codes.
The city has also hired a new green building code manager who will start in January.
Councilors who voted in favor of the measure argued during Monday's meeting that the code simply sets minimum requirements and that builders and homebuyers who want to pay for more efficiency can still do so.
Supporters of the previous code said more efficient buildings and homes, while marginally more expensive to build, would lead to immediate savings for owners when it comes to heating and cooling expenses. They also argued it would reduce pollution from coal-fired power plants and other generating sources.
"The city code was developed in 2009 and at that time we were planning for and preparing for the future. That future was one in which energy efficient buildings and energy efficient building codes would be the norm," said Shrayas Jatkar of the Sierra Club. "That future is here, but the city is now taking a step backward."
Supporters of the old code said they are hoping the efficiency trend will not lose steam with the council's vote and that the retrofitting of existing buildings to be more efficient will continue to be encouraged. They said that work could even produce more work for the city's electricians, plumbers and other trades workers.
NM 2009 Energy Conservation Code Effective August 1, 2011
UPDATE June 13, 2011
The New Mexico Constuction Industries Division adopts new 2009 Energy Conservation Code. The new code does not include the proposed ammendments made by New Mexico's previous administration (see below). Instead CID has adopted the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code with very minor ammendments. The code will be enforced begining August 1, 2011.
See rule change here.
Download a copy of the 2009 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code here.
UPDATE June 2, 2011
The State of New Mexico's Construction Industries Divisions has held public hearings for the discussion and adoption of the latest codes impacting all permitted building construction in the state.
The New Mexico Energy Conservation Code, is one of the affected codes. The proposed changes upgrade the current code which was based on the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)of 2006. Note the IECC-2006 code was based on requirement published in a standard from the American Society of Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineers- ASHRAE 90.1-2004 Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings
The New Mexico Energy Code as proposed is to go into effect on January 1, 2011, and is based on the IECC-2009 code (it is based on the ASHRAE 90.1-2007 Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential). ASHRAE 90.1-2007, IEEC 2009 and New Mexico Energy Conservation Code will impact the thermal performance of building envelopes, efficiency of HVAC equipment, plus design and controls strategies for such equipment, and established maximum lighting power density and controls for illumination of commercial buildings.
Download the proposed changes to the existing NM Energy Conservation Code.
Post questions or comments at our Blog.
EPA Recognizes Go Green, NM by Awarding a 2011 Leadership in Housing Award
Go Green, NM has received a 2011 ENERGY STAR Leadership in Housing Award. Each year, EPA recognizes Energy Raters that achieve specific levels of accomplishment with Leadership in Housing Awards. This award recognizes the important contribution Go Green, NM has made to energy-efficient construction and environmental protection by building more than 100 ENERGY STAR qualified homes last year. Collectively, these homes will save our customers approximately more than $44700 on utility bills eachyear.