On March 6, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a Federal Register Notice announcing a “determination that the updated model energy code for commercial buildings, ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2022,  will increase energy efficiency in commercial buildings. DOE technical analysis, performed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), estimates that buildings meeting the updated Standard 90.1-2022, as compared to buildings meeting the 2019 edition, would result in national site energy savings of 9.8%, source energy savings of 9.4%, energy cost savings of 8.9%, and carbon emissions savings of 9.3%. According to the Notice, “ Standard 90.1-2022 adds several important changes, including an expanded scope addressing building sites and modest requirements for onsite renewables. When accounting for the impact of onsite renewable energy systems, the national average site energy savings estimate increases from 9.8% to 14% (referenced as “net” savings compared to Standard 90.1-2019).”  This action represents DOE’s determination for Standard 90.1-2022 as directed under the Energy Conservation and Production Act (ECPA), as amended (42 USC 6833).

Key Changes in Standard 90.1-2022 include the following: According to the Notice, “The incorporation of prescriptive requirements for renewable energy systems marks the first time that onsite generation has been required by the Standard, recognizing the role of renewables in new construction, echoing similar requirements in several state and local building codes, and better positioning new commercial buildings to achieve net zero energy in the future. Other key changes include customizable energy credits, a new mechanical system efficiency performance option, requirements to address thermal bridging, expanded criteria for whole-building air-leakage testing, updated lighting power allowances, and additional guidance for using emissions in addition to traditional site, source, and cost-based metrics.  Supporting technical analysis, as well as previous model energy code determinations, are available at: www.energycodes.gov/determinations.  Note that upon publication of this affirmative determination, each state must review and certify their state building codes relative to the updated edition of Standard 90.1. Certification statements provided by states shall be submitted within two years after the notice has been published in the Federal Register. The Federal Register notice provides further guidance on state code review processes and associated certifications. States can also learn more about DOE’s model energy code determination, including specific requirements and deadlines, at: www.energycodes.gov/determinations. State certifications for Standard 90.1-2022 must be submitted by March 06, 2026.

AHRI Releases the January, 2024 Heating and Cooling Equipment Shipment Data.

For those interested in shipment trends for residential and commercial gas and electric storage type water heaters, residential gas and oil furnaces, electric heat pumps and air-conditioners, click here for the March 8, 2024 Air-Conditioning Heating, & Refrigeration (AHRI) Press Release that provides the January, 2024 U.S. Heating and Cooling Equipment Shipment Data. For previous monthly shipment releases and historical data, please click here . You may also wish to share this information with other groups or individuals within your organization that would be interested in this shipment data.