Alabama

Current Codes

Alabama Energy and Residential Code

Code Type: Residential, Commercial

Based on: 2009 IECC, 2009 IRC, ASHRAE 90.1-2007 Mandatory

Date Effective: Monday, October 1, 2012

Date Passed: Monday, March 12, 2012

Expand All

Additional Code Information

Code Adoption & Change Process

Code Change Process:

Regulatory & Legislative: Legislation passed in March 2010 the Alabama Energy and Residential Codes (AERC) Board 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. Rules promulgated by the Board are published for 35 days in the state administrative journal before a public comment hearing. The rule then goes before a legislative review committee for 35 days.

Revisions to the State Building Code, for state funded buildings only, are made by the Alabama Building Commission, in accordance with procedures of the Alabama Administrative Procedures Act.

Code Change Cycle:

No set schedule. SB 315 did not create an automatic update cycle. The AERC Board is required to meet at least once per calendar year.

Next Code Update:

The first edition of the Alabama Energy and Residential Codes(AERC) will become effective October 1, 2012.

History

The 2004 Alabama Building Energy Conservation Code (ABECC) for state funded buildings was adopted by the Alabama Building Commission on January 1, 2005, and is based on ASHRAE 90.1-2001.

After an attempt in the state legislature to require the 2006 IECC for commercial buildings failed in the state Senate, a joint resolution established the 2006 IECC as the recommended code for the state of Alabama. Effective December 1, 2008, all new construction within the jurisdiction of the state building commission (state-funded buildings) is subject to the 2006 IECC, though residential and commercial construction is not yet required to comply.

****

2009 IECC/IRC Update: 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.

Basic Facts

Climate Zone:

Zone 3A (zones based on DOE's most recent zoning: zone numbers based on a spectrum, zone 1 represents very hot weather and zone 8 represents subarctic weather. Letters indicate climate type, A-Humid, B-Dry, C-Marine)

Population:

4,708,708 (2009, U.S. Census Bureau)

Construction Activity:

New Housing Units Authorized by Permit:
Total units: 17,464
Number of Housing Units by Structure Type:
1 unit: 12,017
2 units: 134
3 and 4 units: 60
5 or more units: 5,253
(2008, Real Estate Center)

Projected Construction Rate:

12,038 dwelling units (-37% less than the previous year), maintaining an average value of $145,600 per dwelling unit.
(2008, Real Estate Center)

CO2 Emissions:

145.24 MMT CO₂ (2007)

Energy Data

Primary Energy Source:

Coal: 888.4 trillion Bu, 41.7% (2007, EIA)

Energy Consumption:

Total Annual Energy Consumption of 2,132 trillion Btu (2007, EIA)

Energy Expenditures:

21,605.40 Million Nominal Dollars (2007, EIA)

Energy Snapshot:

38% of the state’s natural gas supply and 46% of the state’s consumed electricity is used for heating the home.

Alabama’s residential sector relies most heavily on natural gas for energy

Residential use of natural gas costs $19.24 per thousand cubic ft., exceeding the country’s average.

Source: EIA

Climate Concerns

Regional Issues & State Action:

According to the United States Global Change Research Program, extreme heat, declining air quality, draught and an increase in the frequency of severe precipitation and Atlantic hurricanes are likely to pose increasing problems for the Southeast United States. In addition, sea-level rise is projected to accelerate, endangering shorelines and major coastal cities. In the southeast, the annual average temperature has increased by 2°F since 1970. Annual average temperatures are projected to rise 4.5°F-9°F with the greatest increase occurring in the summer months. The effects of climate change could significantly alter the region’s economy, landscape, character, and quality of life.

Alabama does not have any formal climate action plan, but the state does have an Alternative Transportation Fuels program run through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. This program promotes more efficient use of transportation, improved air quality, and energy independence.

BCAP Estimated Energy Savings

If Alabama began implementing the 2009 IECC and Standard 90.1-2007 statewide in 2011, businesses and homeowners would save an estimated $143 million annually by 2020 and $287 million annually by 2030 in energy costs (assuming 2006 prices).

Additionally, implementing the latest model codes would help avoid about 42.2 trillion Btu of primary annual energy use by 2030 and annual emissions of more than 2.96 million metric tons of CO2 by 2030.

A 2010 BCAP analysis indicates that the weighted average incremental construction cost of upgrading to the 2009 IECC in Alabama would be $668.76 per home. On average, the annual energy savings per home would be $205.00, meaning the simple payback for homeowners would occur, on average, in 3.26 years. These estimates are conservative and represent the upper bound on incremental cost.

Resources

Homeowners Energy Code Checklist: Baldwin County And Mobile County, AL

posted by Eric Plunkett
Homeowners Energy Code Checklist: Alabama

posted by Eric Plunkett
Energy Code Pamphlet for Consumers: Alabama

posted by Eric Plunkett
Energy Code Guide for The Construction Industry: Alabama

posted by Eric Plunkett
Energy Code Guide for Home Inspectors: Alabama

posted by Eric Plunkett

Discussions

No discussions found.

Groups

Southeast Region

People

Joel Hubbard	BKerker	Joyce Lanning	rlebrun
allenmuzny	amuzny	b09ed	strott@knology.net

Advocacy Opportunities	Status	Explanations
Adopt Mandatory Codes		Residential The Residential Energy Code for Alabama (RECA 2004) is recommended by the state and is voluntary for residential buildings. Commercial The 2006 IECC is voluntary for commercial buildings, effective December 1, 2008. It is only mandatory for state-funded and government buildings.
Adopt an Automatic Review & Update Process
Create a Regulatory Process		For state-funded buildings only, revisions to the State Building Code are made by the Alabama Building Commission in accordance with procedures of the Alabama Administrative Procedures Act. The public is notified of the Alabama Building Commission's intended action in the Alabama Administrative Monthly, published by the Legislative Reference Service, Administrative Procedure Division. The public is given the opportunity to present their views and opinions to the Director for consideration.
Improve Compliance
Eliminate Weakening Amendments		Lack of SHGC requirement.
Add Strengthening Amendments
Allow Innovation at the Local Level		The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs encourages and works with local governments to promote energy conservation programs and code adoption.
Set Milestones
Adopt Green Codes		Statewide Standard: Executive Order Number 33, Energy Standards 2006 Description: State Agencies must reduce their energy consumption by 10% in all conditioned facilities owned and operated by that agency by the end of Fiscal Year 2008 and 20% by Fiscal Year 2010 relative to 2005 levels. Energy Standard: All state departments and agencies implement no cost energy efficient practices, as outlined and distributed to state departments and agencies by the Department of Finance and the Department of Economic and Community Affairs-Energy, Weatherization and Technology Divisions. All state departments and agencies designate an Energy Officer to be given the authority to study, investigate and recommend to the department/agency director, for implementation, energy saving procedures and practices in the department/agency, as well as the authority to review and verify that energy bills are corrected and billed at the most advantageous rate for which the agency/facility/department is entitled. All state departments and agencies employ the latest energy conservation practices in the design, construction, renovation, operation and maintenance of state facilities and when replacing or purchasing new equipment shall purchase Energy Star labeled equipment whenever cost effective. Departments and agencies may participate in energy performance contracting for energy saving capital projects. Example found at http://adeca.alabama.gov/Energy/Document%20Library/EnergySavingsPerformanceContractingProject.pdf

Resources:

ICLEI - international association of local governments and their associations
www.iclei.org
Calhoun, Alabama is an ICLEI member.

Mayors Climate Protection Center
www.usmayors.org
Six Alabama Mayors who have signed The U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement:
(City/Mayor)
Auburn, Mr. Bill Ham Jr.
Bessemer, Mr. Edward May
Huntsville, Ms. Loretta Spencer
Opelika, Mr. Gary Fuller
Troy, Mr. Jimmy Lunsford
Tuscaloosa, Mr. Walter Maddox

International Codes Council (ICC) Regional Support and State Offices:
Ms. Kathy Slawinski
ICC Chicago District Office
4051 West Flossmoor Road
Country Club Hills, IL 60478
1-888-422-7233, Ext. 4319
KSlawinski@iccsafe.org

Mr. Mel Cosgrove
Senior Regional Manager
1056 Kingston Road
Chelsea, AL 35043
Phone: 1-888-422-7233, Ext. 5229
MCosgrove@iccsafe.org

Current Codes

Resources

Discussions

Groups

People

User login

Contact

Related Links