Coming in the 2015 version of the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) is the opportunity for building managers, code officials, and designers to use an outcome-based approach to comply with local building energy codes. The previous versions of the IgCC included two approaches: modelling energy consumption and following code-defined values for individual building components. While both methods can reduce energy use, they did not account for how energy is actually used in occupied buildings.The new pathway will bridge the divide between design and building operations.
The revised approach, proposed by the Institute for Market Transformation among others, will require building owners to provide utility bills for a 12-month period within three years. The change is also expected to improve the process of including other energy standards such as ASHRAE 189.1 and LEED into the IgCC.
“The introduction of an outcome-based pathway for the IgCC opens the door to more effective design strategies to save energy and lower construction costs. This option will give designers more flexibility to innovate and will lead to a stronger, healthier, and more energy-efficient built environment,” says Cliff Majersik, executive director for the IMT.
