New Mexico Commission Adopts 2009 IECC Amendments; Code Effective January 2011

On May 14, the Construction Industries Commission (CIC) recommended a set of proposed code amendments that would make the 2009 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code (NMECC) approximately 20% more stringent than the 2006 IECC (the residential and commercial portions of the 2009 IECC are about 13-15% and 5% above the 2006 IECC, respectively). The amendments to the 2009 IECC include stronger prescriptive values for fenestration U-factors and R-values for ceilings, wood frame walls, and mass walls. The compliance option using ASHRAE Standard 90.1 has also been removed.

CIC accepted written comments, and a series of five public hearings on the amendments were held throughout the state June 28 – July 1. The amendments (along with additional changes) were approved by CIC on July 30. The 2009 NMECC will be effective January 1, 2011 with a phase-in period until July 1, 2011.

More Information: BCAP New Mexico Code News | Proposed Amendments (updated Aug. 11) | CIC Homepage

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BCAP New Mexico Code Status