An article in USGlass Magazine featuring Technoform's Helen Sanders and research from Facade Tectonics Institute

This feature article discusses the evolution and challenges of building energy codes, emphasizing their impact on the glass industry and energy efficiency. ​

Here is an overview: 

Building Energy Codes ​

• Designed to improve energy efficiency in buildings, reducing energy demands and environmental impacts. ​
• Buildings account for 40% of total U.S. energy use and 35% of carbon emissions. ​
• Energy codes drive adoption of energy-efficient glass products, enhancing modern architecture. ​
• Critics argue affordability concerns hinder the implementation of stricter energy standards. ​

Push Back Against Energy Codes

• 15 states, including Missouri, have challenged new energy standards due to affordability issues.
• Legislation introduced to limit local governments' ability to enforce stricter energy codes.
• Concerns about housing affordability and rising construction costs are central to the debate.

Impact of Energy Codes ​

• DOE estimates model energy codes could save $182 billion in energy costs and avoid 745 million metric tons of carbon emissions. ​
• States like South Carolina and Oklahoma have not updated energy codes in over 16 years. ​
• Some areas see a decline in building permits after adopting stricter codes. ​

Industry Response and Future Directions

• The glass industry advocates for an "envelope-first" approach to building design to enhance energy efficiency. ​
• Collaboration between glazing experts and HVAC professionals is essential for effective energy modeling.
• Increased funding for code enforcement is necessary to ensure compliance and effectiveness of energy codes. ​

To further strengthen support for stronger energy codes, Bush suggests the glass industry push for more “collaboration with state and national policymakers, presenting clear, data-driven evidence of the energy efficiency benefits offered by advanced glazing technologies, and actively participating in public hearings and the code development process.”

Sanders adds that while the glass and glazing industry already has high-performance products, it must invest further in commercialization as fewer products mean higher costs. “Many commercial fenestration manufacturers have R-5 or better window performance, and glazing infill solutions are available, including triple-pane glazing, warm-edge spacer, fourth-surface low-E and even vacuum insulating  glazing,” she says.

“The industry should continue to design efficient high-performance systems to fabricate and invest in manufacturing so pricing can be competitive.” Of course, commercialization is easier said than done. The Façade Tectonics Institute (FTI) studied the barriers hindering the commercialization of high-performance façade products. The Institute learned that there is no easy solution and even adopting  modern building codes needs the coordination of “multiple approaches, including tools, training, standards, codes, innovation and incentives.”

Sanders says the FTI study also found a lack of political will, policymaker knowledge, awareness and engagement in the process, and insufficient resources and time to enforce energy codes.

“Funding is typically provided by permitting fees, and these cannot be too high as they need to be affordable,” she explains. “This typically results in an underfunded compliance capacity. Code officials typically prioritize life safety requirements, such as structural and fire protection.”

Sanders highlights several other barriers that the FTI study found, including:

• Insufficient training related to fenestration and façade assemblies; 

• Insufficient code review. For instance, a code review is not typically required for contractors to prove their glazing details meet the requirements, and as such, they may not meet the code without incentive to ensure they do; and 

• Inconsistent documentation. In particular, the National Fenestration Rating Council’s on residential fenestration labeling and certification program is not followed or enforced in most jurisdictions (Seattle and California are exceptions) despite the code requiring labeled and certified fenestration.

FTI recommends several steps to drive high-performance facades, such as engaging with the insurance industry to explore opportunities, improving the impact of codes on high-performance façade solutions, developing an awareness campaign, and creating an installer training and façade engineering certification program, among others.

Sanders adds that Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) also recently completed a study highlighting the barriers to code adoption by states. The study identified that cost drivers and politics were intertwined, stating, “Costs influence politics, and politics influence costs in the building energy code process.”