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Appliance efficiency standards and building energy codes are two of the most important and effective government energy efficiency policies. Federal standards apply to the manufacture and import of certain appliances, equipment, and lighting for all applications. Federal appliance standards usually preempt all state laws on covered equipment, including building codes, but several states set standards on equipment for which there is no federal standard.
Building codes apply to the building "shell," including components like insulation and windows, and to systems for space heating and cooling, water heating, and sometimes lighting—but only in new construction and significant renovations (e.g. those that require building permits). Building codes are mostly developed at a national level (by independent organizations with assistance from the Department of Energy), adopted at a state level, and implemented and enforced at a local level.
Current proposals seek to increase federal assistance and role to improve the development and implementation of building energy codes, to improve the federal appliance standard-setting process, and to give states greater flexibility to address equipment in building codes.
Building energy code and appliance standard provisions in the American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) Act and American Clean Energy Leadership Act (ACELA):
Additional Building Energy Code Resources:
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