Washington recently became the first state to require all electric heat for new buildings.
Under the state’s new energy code, most new commercial and large multifamily buildings will have to install heat pumps. The State Building Code Council, which voted to adopt a revised energy code that includes the all-electric provision, will consider a similar proposal for smaller residential buildings later this year. The revised code also requires the use of heat-pump hot water heaters.
The new Washington code includes exemptions for hospitals, research facilities, and other buildings where fossil fuels are required for “specific needs that cannot practicably be served by heat pumps.” Washington’s action is the latest in a widespread effort to transition buildings to appliances and HVAC equipment that can be powered by clean electricity. Advocates in many areas are backing legislation and code updates that restrict the expansion of natural gas use in new buildings.
There has been significant pushback on these efforts, though. In early April, a proposed gas ban for new buildings in New York State was dropped during contentious budget negotiations. (New York City, however, did impose a gas ban on new buildings in December.) California adopted a building code change last August that strongly discourages gas hookups in new buildings but does not mandate it.
Related Stories
| Feb 23, 2012
New Virginia statewide building code goes into effect March 1
After March 1, all building plans in Virginia must adhere to the 2009 code that was adopted a year ago.
| Feb 17, 2012
AGC advocates for federal procurement reform
Ensure that small business goals take into consideration actual small business capacity in relevant specialty markets.
| Feb 17, 2012
Codes not to blame for Anchorage roof collapses following heavy snows
Design or construction problems likely contributed to the collapses, according to city officials.
| Feb 17, 2012
OSHA training videos on proper respirator use available online
17 short videos to help workers learn about the proper use of respirators on the job.
| Feb 17, 2012
Union/employer collaboration on the rise aimed at exceeding OSHA safety standards
Unions have learned to help employers win contracts with bids made competitive through good safety practices.
| Feb 15, 2012
Code allowance offers retailers and commercial building owners increased energy savings and reduced construction costs
Specifying air curtains as energy-saving, cost-cutting alternatives to vestibules in 3,000-square-foot buildings and larger has been a recent trend among consulting engineers and architects.
| Feb 9, 2012
Initiative to sell off under-used federal property gaining momentum
The bill is similar to a White House planto cut $8 billion worth of building costs by the end of the 2012 fiscal year, and to establish a panel to identify other sites worth selling or donating to nonprofits or state and local governments.
| Feb 9, 2012
Computer tool helps engineers design roof cladding using Canada's building code
Easier to design roof cladding that can withstand winds in a given area.
| Feb 9, 2012
Rapid growth of zero energy buildings expected
Much of that growth will be in the European Union, where near-zero energy buildings are mandated by 2019 for public buildings, and by 2021 for all construction.
| Feb 9, 2012
Stiffer OSHA fines put strain on Kansas contractors
A fine for a violation that once cost between $750 and $1,200 now runs $7,000 or more per incident, according to a state industry association official.
