Because Colorado is a “home-rule” state, most city and county jurisdictions have decided how to set and enforce their own building and energy codes, according to what’s appropriate for their local communities.
Energy Goals for State Agencies Building officials and construction professionals should be aware that Governor Ritter has required state agencies, such as public universities, to cut power consumption by 20 percent before 2012. From installing energy-efficient lighting, low-energy toilets and special vending machines to building its own internal turbine generator, Colorado State University in Fort Collins has spent millions of dollars to conserve energy on its campus. The University is currently in the process of building a wind farm to meet its energy needs. In spite of renovation projects like these and new, energy efficient construction, growing institutions, such as CSU, are experiencing increased power demands—not decreased power consumption the state energy office will require. |
As part of House Bill 07-1146, effective July 2007, all Colorado jurisdictions with building codes in place will be required to meet or exceed minimum requirements set by the 2003 International Energy Conservation Code. Jurisdictions have until July 1, 2008 to make any necessary adjustments to bring existing building codes up-to-date.
Why Does Colorado Need a Minimum Energy Code?
Several factors contributed to the establishment of a statewide minimum energy requirement.
- Since power production occurs in centralized locations, excessive energy consumption by individual communities impacts locations throughout the state.
- Air pollutant byproducts from energy consumption affect the health of all Coloradoans.
- Peak electric demands from across jurisdictional boundaries place a strain on the shared power grid.
- The entire state stands to benefit from measures that ensure reliable power as well as adequate heating oil and natural gas.
- Controlled energy costs will help strengthen the economy and keep housing affordable.
The hope is that, with statewide cooperation on energy requirements, all Coloradoans will benefit in terms of personal health, comfort and economics. In addition, Governor Ritter hopes to set a precedent in this state for responsible resource consumption nationwide.
A Matter of Education
With the exception of historic buildings, buildings that are already exempt, buildings in areas where there is no local building code, and buildings that are “off the grid,” Coloradoans can expect that any new construction—as well as renovations and additions above a certain size—will be required to comply with an energy code equivalent to, or better than, the 2003 International Energy Conservation Codes.
Some communities have already adopted and become familiar with the 2003 Code and may not notice a difference in commercial and residential construction requirements.
In order to make the transition even easier, SAFEbuilt’s offices have organized seminars to familiarize building professionals and municipalities with the 2006 codes. “Contractors on the Front Range have been, for the most part, following the code anyway,” said Barry Kramer, Building Official for SAFEbuilt’s Firestone office.
“Our focus is educating them on how to do it right, now that it will be enforced.” However, officials in communities where these regulations are new are encouraged to speak with their building code professional about how their community and building practices will be affected.
John Plano, Plans Examiner for SAFEbuilt’s Eagle office, says that getting independent mountain communities on the same page about energy efficiency could be a daunting task.
“A lot of these guys have always done things a certain way, and all of them have different expectations on how codes should be enforced in their jurisdictions. Adjusting to something statewide will be a real eye-opener for architects and builders in some areas,” Plano said. “It’s going to be an ongoing educational process.”
Tools of the Trade
Plano recommends that architects and builders become familiar with the tools available on codecollegenetwork.com and energycodes.gov. From there, users can learn about making appropriate material and design decisions—either by reading about prescriptive approaches to code compliance or by downloading software tools.
REScheck and COMcheck, available on www.energycodes.gov, will analyze plans and recommend “trade-off” packages.
For instance, if a home calls for a lot of windows, as many Colorado homes do, REScheck will suggest ways to offset energy loss by using more insulative products and techniques elsewhere in the home.
In spite of all the adjustments to come, the real advantage of the new requirements, according to Kramer, will be savings for consumers. “In the long run, what we do to make buildings more efficient will really help reduce energy costs for individuals.”
More Information
John Plano is a Plans Examiner and Senior Building Inspector based out of SAFEbuilt’s Eagle office. He can be reached by calling (970) 977-6278. Barry Kramer is a Building Official based out of SAFEbuilt’s Firestone office. He can be reached by calling (303) 774-1388, extension 103.
