Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


19

Battle Heats Up Over Green Building Codes

Better construction seen as best chance of saving energy

Share

(Newser) – Authorities are trying to hammer together tighter nationwide building codes to save energy and combat climate change, the New York Times reports. Experts say requiring buildings to be more efficient will do more to save energy than any other single policy move, but codes remain weak to nonexistent across half the country. Campaigners warn that inefficient building now is locking in energy profligacy for decades to come.

The construction industry is fighting moves to tighten codes, saying that requirements for energy-saving materials and extra insulation will add thousands of dollars to the cost of new homes and further damage the housing market. Austin, however—which requires new buildings to be audited for energy efficiency—says upgrades for efficiency pay for themselves within 5 years and keep saving homeowners hundreds of dollars a year afterwards.

At least seven states have virtually no rules requiring new buildings to be energy efficient.
At least seven states have virtually no rules requiring new buildings to be energy efficient.   (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Campaigners pushing for better building codes say too many builders are using too little insulation, meaning energy will be wasted for many years to come.
Campaigners pushing for better building codes say too many builders are using too little insulation, meaning energy will be wasted for many years to come.   (Shutter Stock)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Energy building codes are the single biggest opportunity to save the environment while saving the consumer money.
- Hal Harvey, chief executive of ClimateWorks, a group seeking to tackle global warming.

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
19 comments
VIEWING:
 
Fondue
Jul 18, 09 8:15 AM CDT
The construction industry should realize these homes and buildings do not belong to them. And the sooner new codes are put in place the sooner the cost will come down. The argument that new codes will add thousands is just a scare tactic. Yes, it'll be more expensive in the beginning, but the costs will pay for themselves in the long run in savings for owners and everyone really. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
ListenEllipse
Jul 18, 09 9:42 AM CDT
Isn't that a decision that builders and owners can make for themselves? Owners and builders making individual decisions about their particular circumstances will always be more efficient than a government one-size-fits-all building code.
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
doingtherightthing
Jul 18, 09 11:01 AM CDT
Fondue.........your not the sharpest tool in the shed are you.........border line buyers now cannot begin to afford these new homes. The costs will be passed onto the end user.........next when you sell your existing house they'll make you go green........the costs will be passed onto the end user........all sales will stop or slow down driving the economy deeper into a housing recession.......unemployment will continue to escalate because of these actions...............
Vote up! Vote down!
-2
IN RESPONSE:
easterner
Jul 18, 09 11:35 AM CDT
Agree with you Fondue but from what I see in this area they have mickey mouse contractors who can't even be bothered to follow the existing codes.As far as what righthing is saying maybe true but the end user is paying the cost for poor quality work.
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
Fondue
Jul 19, 09 2:40 PM CDT
"Fondue.........your not the sharpest tool in the shed are you...." Does that make you feel better about yourself? I might have actually finished your comment if it weren't for the attack.
Vote up! Vote down!
0

View all 19 comments »

LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

123 Stories

Thomas Friedman

Carbon-Tax Foes Must Think the End Is Nigh

How else to explain them being OK with the exploding population?

Nov 18, 09 8:25 AM CST
(Newser) - Opponents of cap-and-trade legislation must believe that a massive plague will wipe out 2.5 billion people sometime between now and 2050. Otherwise, their stance makes no sense, writes Thomas Friedman of the New York Times . Even if you don’t believe climate change is real—and Friedman does—... More »

MORE ABOUT:
climate change • environment • cap and trade • Thomas Friedman • petrodollar • overpopulation • climate change legislation • carbon taxes • population growth

 Critics Lash 
 Gore's Green 
 'Profiteering' 

Investment profits go back into his nonprofit, counters ex-VP

Nov 3, 09 5:54 AM CST
(Newser) - Al Gore is going to become the world's first "carbon billionaire" thanks to investments in firms that will profit from policies he advocates, his critics say. The ex-VP is a partner in a venture capital firm that stands to make huge profits from investments in green technology, causing accusations... More »

MORE ABOUT:
climate change • environment • Al Gore • venture capital • green technology • Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers

 Dems Use Nukes to 
 Lure GOP to Climate Bill 

Plants, drilling offered as sweetener for cap-and-trade

Nov 2, 09 9:28 AM CST
(Newser) - The climate change bill up for Senate committee debate tomorrow doesn't stand a chance unless its Democratic backers can sweet talk some of their GOP colleagues, the Washington Post reports. The legislation focuses on a cap-and-trade system where companies could buy and sell emissions permits as needed. But Republican support... More »

MORE ABOUT:
climate change • environment • Democrats • nuclear power • cap and trade • Senate • Lindsey Graham • emissions standards • Lisa Murkowski • Republicans

123 Stories


US  •  Science & Health  •  Technology 
TwitterFollow @NewserUS on Twitter

 
climate change • environment • construction • home builders • building inspections • energy efficiency

from our news partners

CinemaBlend.com