The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently conducted its Energy Codes 2009 program, Now is the Time for Building Energy Codes, in Portland, Ore, as part of its effort to provide updated information to state energy officials and others.

Over the course of the four-day meeting, DOE representatives and other presenters highlighted the Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program, updated attendees on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), and provided an overview of the current effort to improve energy codes.

Presenters provided detailed discussion of the required procedures and tools for measuring and reporting compliance with building energy codes to meet ARRA State Energy Code requirements for demonstrating 90% compliance. 

The International Code Council (ICC) and The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) provided a comparison of their respective organizations’ code development processes, discussed their codes and standards, and gave a brief peek into the upcoming Green Building Codes. 

As a part of the meeting, DOE arranged a visit to two sites under construction. The Daybreak Cohousing project is a shared housing complex that combines individual housing units with a common space facility shared by all residents.  The other project, First and Main is a multistory high-rise designed to achieve LEED Platinum rating. Targeted for completion in the first quarter of 2010, it is anticipated to have an energy use 18% below ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004.

For Energy Codes 2009 coverage, including Conference materials available for download, visit the DOE website. (Link to  http://www.energycodes.gov/news/ecodes2009/index.stm)

Work in progress. Conference attendees take a tour of the Daybreak Cohousing Project, one of two construction site tours during Energy Codes 2009. Take a virtual tour.