Nevada

Current Codes

Nevada Energy Code (2010)

Code Type: Residential, Commercial

Based on: 2006 IECC, ASHRAE 90.1-2004 Mandatory

Date Passed: Sunday, April 11, 2010

Notes & Exceptions:

NOTE: This will code will no longer be effective after June 30, 2012. The Nevada Energy Code will reference the 2009 IECC effective July 1, 2012. Read more....

Nevada Energy Code (2012)

Code Type: Residential, Commercial

Based on: 2009 IECC, ASHRAE 90.1-2007 Mandatory

Date Effective: Sunday, July 1, 2012

Date Passed: Friday, December 30, 2011

Notes & Exceptions:

NOTE: This code will not be effective until July 1, 2012.

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Additional Code Information

Code Adoption & Change Process

Code Change Process:

Regulatory: Before 2009, the state legislature was required to authorize the Nevada State Energy Office (NSOE) to make changes to the state energy code. However, after the establishment of NRS 701.220 through SB 73 in 2009, NSOE is required to promulgate rules to adopt the most recent version of the IECC every three years. Many local jurisdictions like Southern Nevada and the City of Las Vegas have adopted their own energy codes beyond the statewide minimum code.

Code Change Cycle:

NRS 701.220 requires NSOE to promulgate regulations adopting the most recent version of the IECC on or before July 1, 2015 and on or before July 1 of every third year thereafter.

Next Code Update:

The most recent Nevada Energy Code update referencing the 2009 IECC will be effective July 1, 2012. NSOE is required to promulgate regulations adopting the most recent version of the IECC on or before July 1, 2015 and on or before July 1 of every third year thereafter.

History

Nevada's first energy code, "Energy Conservation Standards for New Building Construction," was adopted on January 1, 1978. This code, based on ASHRAE Standard 90-75, was written by the state and formulated by the Nevada Department of Energy. All cities and counties were required to enforce the energy code requirements. The Nevada Department of Energy was disbanded in 1983. Between 1983 and 1986, the state did not support or enforce this energy code.

In 1985 the legislature gave the Nevada Office of Community Services authority to formulate new statewide standards for energy conservation in new buildings. Adopted on July 8, 1988, the "Regulations for the Conservation of Energy in New Building Construction" were formulated based on the 1986 MEC with minor state amendments. This code is applicable only in areas where the local jurisdiction had not previously adopted an energy code. This remains the basis for the statewide energy code. The Nevada Office of Community Services was dissolved in the fall of 1993.

The 2003 IECC became mandatory for all jurisdictions that have not adopted an energy code when Nevada Chapter 701 was passed on January 1, 2005. It went into effect June 17, 2005. REScheck and COMcheck can be used to show compliance for the envelope and mechanical only.

On May 22, 2009, Gov. Jim Gibbons signed into law legislation (SB 73 and 358) that revises the process of updating the state's building energy codes by establishing the standards adopted by the Nevada State Office of Energy as the minimum standards for building energy efficiency and conservation. The law requires local governments to adopt the codes set by the Office of Energy and to enforce them (they are also allowed to adopt more stringent standards provided they give notice to the Office of Energy). The law mandates the adoption of the most recent version of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and requires the adoption of the most recent updated version of the IECC every three years. The Office of Energy must still hold public hearings in three different locations in the state after giving 30 days' notice of such hearings before adopting any new standards.

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2009 IECC Update: The Nevada State Office of Energy (NSOE) posted draft regulations (LCB File Number R024-11) and scheduled dates for the state’s rulemaking process to adopt the 2009 IECC (as required under NRS 701.220) in fall 2011. NSOE hosted two stakeholder meetings in Las Vegas and Reno and three regulation hearings in Las Vegas, Carson City, and Elko.NSOE adopted final regulations (LCB File No. R024-11) on December 30, 2011. They will be effective July 1, 2012.

BCAP has partnered with NSOE and other stakeholders to develop the Nevada Gap Analysis report and 5-Year Strategic Compliance Plan as part of BCAP’s CPA Program.

The City of Las Vegas has already adopted the Southern Nevada Building Officials (SNBO) 2009 IECC Amendments for Southern Nevada effective July 5, 2011.

Basic Facts

Climate Zone:

5B, 3B (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:

2,643,085 (2009, U.S. Census Bureau)

Construction Activity:

New Housing Units Authorized by Permit:
Total units: 14,881
Number of Housing Units by Structure Type:
1 unit: 7,110
2 units: 52
3 and 4 units: 246
5 or more units: 7,473
(2008, Real Estate Center)

Projected Construction Rate:

Single family dwelling:7,110 (-56% less than previous year), and with an avarage value of $145,200 per unit
(2008, Real Estate Center)

CO2 Emissions:

41.6 MMT CO₂ (2007)

Energy Data

Primary Energy Source:

Petroleum: 42.0% (2007, EIA)

Energy Consumption:

Total Annual Energy Consumption of 777.4 trillion Btu (2007, EIA)

Energy Expenditures:

10,570.7 Million Nominal Dollars (2007, EIA)

Energy Snapshot:

56% of the state’s natural gas supply is used for heating the home.

Natural gas is the largest consumed source of energy for the state’s residential sector.

Residential use of natural gas in Nevada costs up to $13.97/thousand cu ft., exceeding the national average.

Source: EIA

Climate Concerns

Regional Issues & State Action:

According to the United States Global Change Research Program, the Southwest is one of the fasted warming regions in the United States which is resulting in less spring snowpack and weakened Colorado River flow. Annual average temperature increases are projected as a result of climate change with the greatest increases occurring in the summertime. Climate change will continue to negatively affect the water supply to the Southwest region and could result in severe drought.

On April 10, 2007 Governor Jim Gibbons signed an executive order to create the Nevada Climate Change Advisory Committee (NCCAC). In May 2008 the NCCAC completed a report that included recommendations for mitigating the effects of climate change in Nevada. The NCCAC referenced the Nevada Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Reference Case Projections, 1990-2020 prepared by the Center for Climate Strategies during the formulation of recommendations. The recommendations included increasing building efficiency through new efficient building standards and codes. The state was also the first state to adopt a Renewable Portfolio Standard in 1997. In addition, Nevadais an observer member of the Western Climate Initiative, which aims to reduce emissions by 15% below 2005 levels by 2020.

BCAP Estimated Energy Savings

If Nevada began implementing the 2009 IECC and Standard 90.1-2007 statewide in 2011, businesses and homeowners would save an estimated $65 million annually by 2020 and $130 million annually by 2030 in energy costs (assuming 2006 prices).

Additionally, implementing the latest model codes would help avoid about 18.4 trillion Btu of primary annual energy use by 2030 and annual emissions of more than 1.04 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 Nevada would be $777.15 per home. On average, the annual energy savings per home would be $228.50, meaning the simple payback for homeowners would occur, on average, in 3.40 years. These estimates are conservative and represent the upper bound on incremental cost.

Resources

CPA Presentation: 2012 ACEEE Summer Study

posted by Mark Lessans
White Paper: Compliance Planning Assistance Program

posted by Mark Lessans
Nevada Five Year Strategic Plan

posted by Mark Lessans
SWEEP: Review of Residential Retrofit Programs Offered by Utilities in the Southwest

posted by Paul Karrer
Nevada Advanced Training Assessment

posted by Mark Lessans

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Advocacy Opportunities	Status	Explanations
Mandatory Codes		Residential: The 2003 IECC is mandatory for all jurisdictions that have not adopted an energy code; builders can use REScheck to demonstrate compliance. Jurisdictions in Southern Nevada have adopted the 2006 Southern Nevada Energy Code, which is based on the 2006 IECC with amendments. Jurisdictions in Northern Nevada have adopted the 2006 IECC. REScheck can be used to show compliance for the envelope and mechanical only. Commercial: The 2003 IECC is mandatory for all jurisdictions that have not adopted an energy code; COMcheck can be used to demonstrate compliance. Jurisdictions in Southern Nevada have adopted the 2006 Southern Nevada Energy Code, which is based on the 2006 IECC with amendments. Jurisdictions in Northern Nevada have adopted the 2006 IECC. COMcheck can be used to show compliance for the envelope and mechanical only.
Automatic Review & Update Process		In May of 2009, Nevada adopted an automatic review schedule. The last review was June 17, 2005.
Regulatory Process		Previously, the authority of the Nevada State Energy Office to make changes to the energy code had to proceed through the state legislature. In May 2009, the Nevada General Assembly established a regulatory update process for state energy codes and also that all local governments adopt and to enforce the codes set by the Office of Energy. State law now mandates the adoption of the most recent version of the IECC every three years. The Office of Energy must still hold public hearings in three different locations in the state after giving 30 days' notice of such hearings before adopting any new standards.
Ensure Compliance	Residential: Commercial:	Residential: The required envelope compliance pathways, plan submittal requirements, and requirements for engineer signatures. Field inspections are performed by the local jurisdiction during established construction inspections. REScheck may be used to demonstrate compliance for the envelope and mechanical only. The Nevada Public Works Board (NPWB) enforces the code for state-owned and -funded buildings. The NPWB generally requires the plans to be stamped by a registered engineer or architect to indicate compliance with the energy code requirements. Commercial: The required envelope compliance pathways, plan submittal requirements, and requirements for engineer signatures. Field inspections are performed by the local jurisdiction during established construction inspections. COMcheck may be used to demonstrate compliance for the envelope and mechanical only. The Nevada Public Works Board (NPWB) enforces the code for state-owned and -funded buildings. The NPWB generally requires the plans to be stamped by a registered engineer or architect to indicate compliance with the energy code requirements.
Weakening Amendments
Strengthening Amendments
Local Leadership Allowed		Under a recently enacted state law, local governments must adopt the codes set by the Office of Energy and to enforce them. Local government are also allowed to adopt more stringent standards provided they give notice to the Office of Energy.
Milestones Established		State law now requires the adoption of the most recent updated version of the IECC every three years.
Green Codes

August 2009

Resources:

ICLEI - international association of local governments and their associations
www.iclei.org
Nevada has one local government member:
Las Vegas

Mayors Climate Protection Center
www.usmayors.org
Three Nevada Mayors have signed The U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement:
(City)
Henderson, Las Vegas, and Reno.

Western Governors’ Association
www.westgov.org
Governor Jim Gibbons is an active participant.

International Codes Council (ICC) Regional and State Chapters:
Ms. Janice Moy
ICC Chicago District Office
4051 West Flossmoor Road
Country Club Hills, IL 60478
Phone: 1-888-422-7233, Ext. 4525
JMoy@iccsafe.org

Mr. Dave Nichols
Regional Manager
3347 North Chestnut
Mesa, AZ 85213
Phone: 1-888-422-7233, Ext. 7701
DNichols@iccsafe.org

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