By, Adrian Willanger Eco-Redux
What effect will the proposed International Green Construction Code (IGCC), that will guide the design and construction of green commercial projects, have on residential home builders?
In June of 2009 the International Code Council (ICC) along with the American institute of Architects (AIA) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) partnered to draft a new green building code, known as the IGCC committee that will draft documents which will be used as a starting point for new green construction measures. The first draft will be available for public comment sometime in 2010, with publication for adoption projected in 2012. With the goal of providing a code template that many municipalities could adopt.
The code uses California and the city of Aspen’s green building codes as their blueprint, focusing primary on energy efficiencies like; construction debris recycling, water conservation, energy, insulation, indoor air quality and solar power.
Ever since the first oil embargo of the 1970’s small steps have been taken throughout the country to increase energy efficiencies in homes and buildings. With the new administration it is highly probable we will experience the greatest increases in energy conservation measures in a generation. Energy retro-fits have been gaining momentum; electric companies are offering rebates and incentives for home owners and business to become more energy efficient. Government tax rebates for energy efficient measures should help at a time when financing is hard to come by and the market for new construction is lagging.
Developer/builder Martha Rose, owner of Martha Rose Construction (MRC), builds high-performance houses in the Seattle marketplace, mentions “the most conservative use of energy- is not to use it.” “Consumers really didn’t understand the value of our homes until the price of gasoline skyrocket to over four dollars a gallon.” A growing consumer market that demands higher energy performance is driving the development for new energy efficiencies and green programs across the nation.
MRC’s participation in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Builders Challenge provides her company with advance techniques, product technology and cost savings from making the best material and equipment choices. Rose, who is an award winning Green Builder states, “working with the Building America team has provided me with cutting edge solutions to reducing energy costs.” For more information visit Fish Singer Place.