Public Act 096-0778 was signed into law on August 28, 2009 amending the Energy Efficient Commercial Building Act by including residential buildings and amending the name of the act to the Energy Efficient Building Act. The new requirements for residential buildings became effective on January 29, 2010.
HISTORY OF THE ILLINOIS ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE
Public Act 093-0936 (Illinois Energy Conservation Code for Commercial Buildings) was signed into law in August, 2004. The Illinois Energy Conservation Code for Commercial Buildings became effective April 8, 2006. On October 9, 2007 the Law was revised to mandate the latest published edition, excluding supplements, of the International Energy Conservation Code. As of August 18, 2009 the Illinois Energy Conservation Code for Commercial Buildings was the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code. On August 28, 2009, Public Act 096-0778 requiring an energy code for residential buildings was signed into law. It became effective on January 29th, 2010, officially establishing the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code as the first energy code for residential buildings in Illinois.
2012 IECC Takes Effect in Illinois on January 1, 2013
Senate Bill 3724, signed by the Governor on August 17, 2012, amends the implementation date of the 2012 Illinois Energy Conservation Code to January 1, 2013. It will lengthen the time the Board has to review and adopt future published editions of the Code and make them effective.This will allow stakeholders more time for training and preparation to build, design, and enforce the future updated codes.
Administrative Rules to adopt the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code with amendments as Illinois Energy Conservation Code were approved by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules on December 11, 2012.
WHAT THE LAW REQUIRES
The Law requires all new commercial and residential construction for which a building permit application is received by a municipality or county to follow a comprehensive statewide energy conservation code. Renovations, alterations, additions, and repairs to most existing commercial and residential buildings must follow the Illinois Energy Conservation Code. The Law requires design and construction professionals to follow the latest published edition of the International Energy Conservation Code which is currently the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code and the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 90.1, 2010 “Energy Standard for Buildings except Low-Rise Residential Buildings.” Under the law, the Capital Development Board has the power to modify the Illinois Energy Conservation Code.
Local governments are free to adopt stricter energy conservation Laws for commercial buildings. However, for residential buildings, local governments may not adopt or regulate energy conservation standards either less or more stringent than the Illinois Energy Conservation Code. Exceptions which would allow local governments to regulate energy efficient standards in a more stringent manner are municipalities or counties which meet one of the following three provisions:
- A unit of local government that on or before May 15, 2009 adopted or incorporated by reference energy efficient building standards for residential building that are equivalent to or more stringent than the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code
- A unit of local government that on or before May 15, 2009 provided to the Capital Development Board identification of an energy efficient building code or amendment that is equivalent to or more stringent than the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code
- A municipality with a population of 1,000,000 or more
THE GOALS OF THE LAW
The Law is designed to help protect the environment and reduce energy consumption. By following an energy conservation code, property owners can reduce air pollution, moderate energy demand and stabilize energy costs and electric, oil, and gas supplies.
The efficient gains of the 2009 code set a new baseline for International Energy Conservation Code-compliant homes and buildings, and while, there will be regional variability and uncertainty in the technology penetration, preliminary estimates from U.S. DOE suggest the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code saves 10.8% of energy spent for heating, cooling, water heating, and lighting while the 2012 IECC saves 32.1%.
WHAT THE LAW DOESN’T COVER
The Law does not apply to officially designated historic buildings, buildings exempt from a local building code, and buildings that do not use either electricity or fossil fuel for comfort conditioning. For purposes of determining whether this exemption applies, a building will be presumed to be heated by electricity, even in the absence of equipment used for electric comfort heating, whenever the building is provided with electrical service in excess of 100 amps. “Illinois’ Energy Efficient Building Act" can be found in Chapter 20 of the Illinois Compiled Statutes, Act 3125. The Administrative Rules for this Act which have the force and effect of law can be viewed at ILAC TITLE 71/PART 600. These rules describe policies and procedures related to the Code.
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES – PROGRAM YEAR 2012-13
The Illinois Energy Office's schedule for another training series directed at the Illinois construction industry is now available. Homebuilders, general contractors, architects, engineers, code officials, HVAC specialists, realtors, and home performance professionals will be able to learn about the newest energy conservation codes for new construction, additions and renovation projects in Illinois. Sessions will be offered to Illinois Investor Owned Utility customers at no cost. Course offerings as follows:
- 2012 IECC Applications for Illinois - This seminar provides the basis for correct use of the 2012 IECC and ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2010 in the design, plan review, field-inspection, and analysis of construction in Illinois. Topics covered include: 2012 IECC, ASHRAE 90.1 2010, the Chicago Energy Conservation Code, Blower Door and Duct Pressure Testing, Controls for Daylight Harvesting, Designing for On-Site Renewables, and Systems Commissioning (Cx).
- NEW! Right-Sized HVAC Design, the Missing Ingredient in Most Homes - As part of the permit and inspection process, the IRC and IECC have, for years, required ACCA Manual-J load calculations. The 2012 IECC will now also require the use of ACCA Manual-S for equipment sizing. Using a case study, this seminar will provide the basis for understanding the residential HVAC design process, and the appropriate short-forms for quick and easy review of residential HVAC system design. Topics covered include: ACCA Manuals ‘J8’ (loads), ‘S’ (sizing), ‘D’ (duct design), ASHRAE Standard 62.2 and appropriate compliance documentation.
Registration questions? Click here
Energy Code Interpretations of the 2012 Energy Conservation Code - Email your question or call 1-708-770-0554 for technical interpretations of the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code® (IECC®), with amendments, as it applies to the State of Illinois.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) concerning the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code® (IECC®), with amendments, as it applies to the State of Illinois
Illinois Baseline Compliance Study – Measuring the Baseline Compliance with Residential and Non-Residential Buildings in Illinois Against the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code
Code Enforcement Officials
Blower Door Testing May Be Performed By A Diagnostic Energy Tester.
DOE Delays 90% Furnace Rule
Building Energy Codes Resource Guide: Code Officials Edition —
Now Available from U.S. Department of Energy!
OTHER RESOURCES
US DOE’s Building America Solution Center
The Building America Solution Center provides residential building professionals with access to expert information on hundreds of high-performance design and construction topics, including air sealing and insulation, HVAC components, windows, indoor air quality, and much more.
DOE’s Building Energy Codes Program Compliance Software Tools
REScheck: Used to show compliance on residential building plans
COMcheck: Used to show compliance on commercial building plans
Other forms of compliance may be used as approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
USDOE’s Solutions & Help Center – Help with compliance software
CONTACT INFORMATION
If you have questions, please contact:
Bruce Selway
Energy Efficiency Education / Codes
IL Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
Illinois Energy Office
500 E. Monroe, 12th floor
Springfield, IL 62701
217.785.2023 Phone
217.785.2618 Fax
Bruce.Selway@Illinois.gov
www.illinoisenergy.org
Lisa Mattingly, PE
Administrator, Professional Services
IL Capital Development Board
401 South Spring Street
3rd Floor Wm. G. Stratton Building
Springfield, IL 62706
217.524.6408 Phone
217.524.4208 Fax
Lisa.Mattingly@Illinois.gov
www.cdb.state.il.us
Robert Coslow
Electrical Engineer
IL Capital Development Board
401 South Spring Street
3rd Floor Wm. G. Stratton Building
Springfield, IL 62706
217.557.6142 Phone
217.524.4208 Fax
Robert.Coslow@Illinois.gov
www.cdb.state.il.us