Buildings

ICC 2024 Revised Building Code Makes Electricity Minimums Optional
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ICC 2024 Revised Building Code Makes Electricity Minimums Optional

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The International Code Council, which sets model construction standards for new homes, was expected to include building electrification measures in its 2024 energy code on March 20. But following appeals lodged by industry groups, the ICC board moved the measures to the code’s appendices, effectively making them optional, as first reported by the Huffington Post.

If new homes aren’t wired for increasing power needs from electric appliances and car chargers, it will bump the effort and cost of making such upgrades onto homeowners — a deterrent to going electric.

New York’s governor has proposed a gas appliance ban, but major obstacles remain

New York’s governor has proposed a gas appliance ban, but major obstacles remain

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Environmentalists rejoiced when New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) endorsed banning fossil fuel appliances in new buildings. But the Democratic leader of the state Assembly is noncommittal, and the measure is also facing resistance from developers, who say it could raise construction costs and hurt property values.

Hempcrete Can Help Reduce GHGs
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Hempcrete Can Help Reduce GHGs

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Here is a two-fer: process fast-growing hemp into a building material with great thermal insulating qualities. 1) The hemp is a carbon sink, and 2) the insulation cuts down energy needed to heat/cool the building. The remaining question: cost? And can it come down to compete with alternatives like concrete? (Can “green premium” –> zero or negative?)

heat pump
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Breakthrough, Climate-Friendly ACs: Winners of the Global Cooling Prize Announced

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Air-conditioning contributes a lot of CO2 and other GHGs, and as the earth heats, there will be more AC used. Tom Steyer, founder of NexGen America, endowed a $1m price for 5x more efficient AC, won by 3 companies this year. “These technology breakthroughs exemplify incredible progress made when innovators and the right incentives are mobilized.”