flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Washington state tries new approach to phase out fossil fuels in new construction

Codes and Standards

Washington state tries new approach to phase out fossil fuels in new construction

Code changes require new buildings to match total energy performance of those built with electric heat pumps


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | December 11, 2023
Image by Pexels from Pixabay - Washington state tries new approach to phase out fossil fuels in new construction
Image by Pexels from Pixabay

After pausing a heat pump mandate earlier this year after a federal court overturned Berkeley, Calif.’s ban on gas appliances in new buildings, Washington state enacted a new code provision that seems poised to achieve the same goal.

The state Building Code Council recently revised the state building code to require new buildings to meet the same total energy performance as those built with electric heat pumps. Builders have the option to choose gas appliances, but they must find ways to achieve the same efficiency as a building that uses heat pumps.

Washington’s approach enacts a tough standard that makes it difficult and expensive for builders to meet energy efficiency targets without installing heat pumps instead of explicitly mandating them. Heat pumps can put out three to four times as much heat energy as the amount of electricity they consume, making buildings that use them much more energy efficient than those heated by gas.

The code revisions could go into effect as soon as March 15, pending any legal challenges.

Related Stories

Codes and Standards | Nov 19, 2021

Construction Startup Competition 2021 awards highlight tech innovations

AI-powered software to identify and explain critical issues in construction contracts takes top prize.

Codes and Standards | Nov 18, 2021

Infrastructure bill contains $5 billion for energy efficiency in buildings

Wide range of programs to reduce energy use, improve materials, train workers.

Codes and Standards | Nov 17, 2021

Skanska will provide embodied carbon assessments on all new projects over 53,000 sf

Will use the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator it helped create.

Codes and Standards | Nov 16, 2021

NOAA, Univ. of Maryland, and ASCE partner on climate-smart engineering codes, standards

Efforts will account for climate change in future infrastructure design and construction.

Codes and Standards | Nov 15, 2021

Intl. Code Council and Modular Building Institute release new off-site construction standards

‘Will create consistency for off-site construction; accelerate the industry’.

Codes and Standards | Nov 12, 2021

GSA will likely shrink federal office space post-COVID

Agency also needs to address maintenance backlog.

Codes and Standards | Nov 10, 2021

Los Angeles launches fast-track office tenant improvements program

Red tape to be cut to make interiors healthier and safer.

Codes and Standards | Nov 9, 2021

Florida state building professionals call for mandatory high-rise building inspections

Group recommendation comes in wake of Surfside condo collapse.

Codes and Standards | Nov 8, 2021

Dept. of Energy to fund 10 pilot smart building projects

Connected communities will accelerate renewable energy adoption and grid resilience.

Codes and Standards | Nov 3, 2021

Fact sheets offer strategies to improve indoor air quality in schools

Center for Green Schools at USGBC document for people without a technical background.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021