On August 6, 2013, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy published a Request for Information (RFI) , seeking information and assistance from the public related to its current methodology for assisting states in assessing energy code compliance. The request seeks public comment, information, and advice to assist DOE in further developing a more effective and economically feasible procedure that states can use when assessing compliance with their energy codes.
DOE developed its current methodology based on eight pilot studies conducted in 10 states over a ten-month period during 2010 and 2011. The resulting report, Measuring State Energy Code Compliance, contains a suggested "methodology that states could use to evaluate and measure energy code." However, DOE has recognized that implementing its current methodology is costly and time-consuming. For example, the methodology requires multiple site visits to each of the minimum 44 sample buildings required in each of the four construction categories. Other DOE concerns include the lack of state resources, lack of relevant information on plan submissions, inconsistent assessments, lack of access to sites during construction, and the potential need for a total sample size greater than 176 buildings.
Recognizing these challenges, but also the value of its approach, DOE is seeking to refine its methodology to minimize costs and increase the effectiveness of assessing energy code compliance. For example, DOE recognized a "strong" correlation between higher compliance rates and buildings that met compliance using software tools and is in the process of updating its REScheck and COMcheck software packages. DOE is also seeking input and guidance from public stakeholders on a long list of questions, including:
- Whether compliance can be measured by documenting energy savings
- Whether owners of poor performing building can be encouraged to participate in compliance studies
- Whether energy code compliance can be financially self-sustaining
- Methods for using incentive funding to facilitate code adoption and compliance
It is apparent that DOE is very interested in furthering state compliance with building energy codes and is requesting that all stakeholders participate in the next generation of its compliance assessment methodology. For those interested in offering comments or potential solutions, the relevant DOE contact information can be found in the RFI.
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