Austin City Council Approves 2009 IECC, Effective October 1
In April 2010, the Austin City Council approved the 2009 IECC with substantial strengthening amendments (ordinance 20100408-051) as the city's new energy code (the current code is based on the 2006 IECC).
The series of amendments move Austin closer to the goal of the Austin Climate Protection Plan to make new homes built in 2015 65% more efficient than those constructed in 2007. The increased efficiency of the new homes due to the code amendments also will make them Zero-Energy Capable in 2015. Zero-Energy Capable is defined as being so energy efficient that it is cost effective to install enough on-site renewable energy collectors to make the homes truly net-zero energy homes.
Currently, the projected effective date for all the city's update building codesis October 1, 2010, and this is not expected to change. Projects having permits that are applied for on or after this date will need to comply with the updated requirements.
More Information: Austin Energy Press Release | AIA Austin Summary
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