Consumers Union campaign "A Greener Future" is working for clean, renewable, affordable energy.
Please use our publications to learn more:
For Consumers:
For Professionals:
Consumer Guide
Home Guide
Home Checklist
Professional Handout
Consumer Handout
Realtor Handout
For Advocates
Consumer awareness of energy codes and the importance of energy efficiency is vital to increasing adoption and enforcement of strong energy codes. If you are interested in receiving hard copies of any of these resources, please contact Stacy Weisfeld for more information. We can provide materials for events or trainings, in office lobbies, libraries, other public buildings or anywhere you see a need for them.
Created in collaboration with the Building Codes Assistance Project
| What are energy codes? | Our Goal | Get Involved | Already own a home? | State Status | Tell us your Story! |
Survey: Consumers want energy efficient homes!
Consumer Reports and BCAP’s national survey found that a majority of consumers surveyed agreed with the following statements:
- Homebuilders should not make less efficient homes at the consumers’ expense (73%)
- Energy codes would help my energy bills be more affordable and predictable (71%)
- Energy codes help make homes more comfortable to live in (68%)
- Energy code standards will help to ensure quality home construction(70%)
- Energy codes should be enforced like other safety and quality standards of construction (75%)
- Homeowners should have a right to a home that meets national energy standards (82%)
- Energy code standards will help ensure that homeowner and taxpayer dollars are used wisely and efficiently as new building will be required to be built right the first time (74%)
- I would rather pay slightly more for a new home and have affordable, predictable operating costs and energy bills (79%)
For more survey details, click here.
Presentation: Consumer Engagement in Energy Codes
Briefly explains energy codes and why it is important to involve consumers in the process.
What are energy codes and how do they affect you?
Energy codes are minimum requirements for efficient design and construction for new and renovated residential and commercial buildings. Homes constructed to meet the model energy code use less energy, meaning the homeowner spends less on utilities! It also improves the comfort level of the home. Do you have a room that is always hotter than others? Have annoying cold drafts coming from under you door and near your windows? The more efficient your house is, the less this happens and the more comfortable you are.
And of course there are tremendous environmental benefits from better energy codes. In the United States, buildings use one-third of our total energy, two-thirds of our electricity, and one-eighth of our water and transform land that provides valuable ecological services. Atmospheric emissions from buildings’ energy use lead to acid rain, ground-level ozone, smog, and global climate change.
Other benefits? New jobs, a stimulated economy and a happier community, just to name a few.
Every homeowner can retrofit their home and make a substantial difference. But better yet, imagine new buildings already being built up to a higher code. Future spending on retrofits and energy bills will be knocked out from the start.
See BCAP’s cost analysis for building a home to the 2009 IECC in your state.
Our goal
Consumers Union works for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves. Energy codes affect a majority of the population but are often overlooked as a consumer issue. Strong energy codes help not only people moving into new homes but future buyers and the community as a whole.
The goal of our energy code work is to educate the public on the importance of energy codes and to help them become their own advocates for code improvement and enforcement. CU is working with the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP) and state and local organizations to reach as many people and as many communities as possible. We want everyone to remember that strong energy codes help not only people moving into new homes but future buyers and the community as a whole!
How to get involved
If you’re an individual:
Help your community adopt the most recent code! Check out our Guide for Advocates. Educate your community or city council with our Consumer Engagement in Energy Codes presentation. Need more ideas? Contact us!
If you’re an organization:
We would love to work with you to help educate consumers and work for updated codes! Please feel free to print our toolkit and other resources to use at events, meetings or in your other efforts as well as post them to your website. Just let us know so we can find out what audiences they are reaching. Please contact Stacy Weisfeld to discuss further opportunities for collaboration. We welcome new ideas!
Already Own A Home?
Don’t worry, we have resources for you too! To find out how you can stop wasting money on high energy bills and lower your carbon footprint, visit our Home Energy Saving Center.
What’s your state’s status?
Find out if your state has the most current code by visiting BCAP’s residential map.
Questions?
Energy codes can be confusing! If you have any questions about codes or how you can get more involved in our efforts, please contact
Stacy Weisfeld
Campaign Organizer
Sweisfeld@consumer.org
(202)462-6262
