Alabama Energy and Residential Code

Residential Code: The residential provisions of the Alabama Energy and Residential Code reference Chapter 11 of the 2009 IRC with Alabama amendments (see below).

Commercial Code: The commercial provisions of the Alabama Energy and Residential Code reference the 2009 IECC with Alabama amendments while referencing ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007 as an alternative compliance path.

TEXT: Alabama Residential and Energy Code (AERC)

Citation: Alabama Code 305-2-4

Application: Mandatory statewide. Local jurisdictions may adopt more stringent codes.

Approximate Efficiency: Residential: Appears to be as efficient as the 2009 IECC | Commercial: As efficient as the 2009 IECC

Effective Date: October 1, 2012 

Approved Compliance Tools: REScheck (by county/jursidiction) | COMcheck (by county/jursidiction)

RECA Residential Compliance Guides for AL: 2006 IECC | 2009 IECC | 2012 IECC 

Residential Energy & Cost Savings Analyses for AL: DOE (2009 & 2012 IECC) | BCAP (2009 IECC)

Background: On January 12, 2012, the Alabama Residential and Energy Code (AERC) Board approved a preliminary measure to create Alabama’s first mandatory statewide energy code. The final draft of the AERC will be republished in the state administrative journal for 35 days before a final vote for approval in April 2012. The effective date would be October 1, 2012.

The Alabama Residential and Energy Code (AERC) was published in the November 30, 2011 issue of the state administrative journal. The AERC Board scheduled a public hearing and vote on January 12, 2012, to give final approval for a proposal for Alabama’s first mandatory statewide energy code, but this was postponed until April 2012. Once approved, the Board set an October 1, 2012 effective date for enforcement.

As proposed, the commercial code would be based on the 2009 IECC. The residential code would be based on Chapter 11 of the 2009 IRC with amendments that include:

• Deleting the section for protection of exposed foundation insulation
• Adding a section stating that local jurisdiction above code programs must be approved by the AERC Board
• Making the certificate stating the insulation R-values, U-factors and SHGC for fenestration voluntary instead of mandatory
• Substituting the insulation and fenestration Requirements from the 2009 IECC, which are slightly more stringent
• The section for slab-on-grade floor insulation was deleted.The requirement for programmable thermostats was deleted.
• The requirement for R-8 duct insulation was delayed until July 1, 2013
• Duct Leakage testing is not required until July 1, 2013

Legislation passed in March 2010 created the AERC Board with the authority to adopt mandatory residential and commercial energy codes for the entire state and residential building codes for jurisdictions that had not implemented a residential building code prior to March 2010. The state has previously adopted the Residential Energy Code for Alabama (RECA 2004) – based on the 2000 IECC – as a voluntary code for residential construction. Since December 2008, the 2006 IECC has been encouraged for private commercial construction. The Alabama Building Commission enforces ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007 for all state building construction.

Legislation passed in March 2010 (SB 315) created the AERC Board with the authority to adopt mandatory residential and commercial energy codes for the entire state and residential building codes for jurisdictions that had not implemented a residential building code prior to March 2010. The state has previously adopted the Residential Energy Code for Alabama (RECA 2004) – based on the 2000 IECC – as a voluntary code for residential construction. Since December 2008, the 2006 IECC has been encouraged for private commercial construction. The Alabama Building Commission enforces ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007 for all state building construction.

The Alabama Energy Code Ambassadors Program (ECAP) will also expand in 2012.

Information last updated December 17, 2012

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