New Online Guides Teach Consumers How Building Codes Make Homes More Energy Efficient | Alliance to Save Energy

New Online Guides Teach Consumers How Building Codes Make Homes More Energy Efficient

The Alliance to Save Energy News

New Online Guides Teach Consumers How Building Codes Make Homes More Energy Efficient

Release Date: Thursday, September 15, 2011

Washington, D.C., September 15, 2011 – Thanks to the new partnership between the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP) and Consumers Union, user-friendly, interactive online guides and downloadable publications are helping homeowners and buyers save energy and money by teaching them the potential of building energy codes to address and improve home energy performance.

“Everyone should have the right to an energy-efficient home that meets national standards,” said Cosimina Panetti, advocacy director of BCAP. “Energy codes – minimum requirements for efficient design and construction – offer a cost-effective way to reduce energy use and monthly bills, while also lowering carbon emissions. It’s a win-win-win.”

Energy Codes: A Consumer Issue

A 2011 Consumers Union survey found that 86% of homeowners want to know a home’s energy operating costs before they buy or rent; 82% of homeowners believe they have a right to homes that meet national standards; and 77% of homeowners think that homebuilders should not construct less efficient homes at the consumer’s expense.

“Energy codes affect the majority of the population, but are often overlooked as a consumer issue,” said Stacy Weisfeld, energy campaign organizer for Consumers Union. “Strong energy codes help not only people moving into new homes, but also future buyers and the community as a whole.”

The average U.S. homeowner will spend about $2,175 on home energy costs this year, or about $180 a month. An energy-efficient home that complies with the 2009 national energy code can save homeowners $235 or more each year compared to an average new home that does not meet the 2009 code.

Energy Code Resources

The new tools provide information about energy codes and checklists homeowners and buyers can use to identify whether construction meets building energy code requirements.

The interactive tools and downloadable publications are hosted on both the BCAP website and the Consumer Reports Greener Choices site.

The resources include:

“We want to empower consumers to shop assertively for energy efficiency when they buy or renovate a home, just as they have learned to do when they shop for refrigerators and air conditioners,” Weisfeld said. “Consumers who use these new energy codes toolkits will know exactly what to look for, and which questions to ask builders, sellers and home inspectors when shopping for a home.”

BCAP and Consumers Union are also inviting consumers to become more active in state-based campaigns to educate consumers and strengthen adoption and enforcement of energy codes.Current campaigns are underway in Maine, New Hampshire, Ohio and Michigan.

Video Showcases the Interactive Tools

Video content is available to watch, download or embed that shows the easy accessibility of the energy codes resources. (The video does not include logos and can be used for any web or television purposes.)

For Further Information

STAY EMPOWERED

 

TAKE ACTION

Help the Alliance advocate for policies to use energy more efficiently – supporting job creation, reduced emissions, and lower costs. Contact your member of Congress.

JOIN US

Energy efficiency is smart, nonpartisan, and practical. So are we. Our strength comes from an unparalleled group of Alliance Associates working collaboratively under the Alliance umbrella to pave the way for energy efficiency gains.

DONATE

The power of efficiency is in your hands. Supporting the Alliance means supporting a vision for using energy more productively to achieve economic growth, a cleaner environment, and greater energy security, affordability, and reliability.