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Important Facts You Need to Know About IECC 2021
Leviton codes and standards expert John Busch offers insights into the lighting requirements of key energy code IECC 2021 and what distributors need to know to support their customers.
Developed by the International Code Council (ICC), the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) establishes minimum requirements for energy-efficient buildings using prescriptive and performance-related provisions and helps to enable and promote the use of new materials and energy-efficient designs. In 2021, the ICC shifted development of the IECC from a governmental consensus process to a standards development process. The latest version of this standard, which is currently being adopted by multiple states, improves building efficiency by 9.4% and reduces greenhouse gases by 8.7% relative to the previous version, 2018 IECC.
Below, John Busch, Manager of Codes, Standards, and Compliance at Leviton, shares important facts about the 2021 IECC and key changes within its residential lighting and controls sections that distributors and their customers need to be aware of as their state or municipality adopt (or consider adopting) it.
What are the key building efficiency standards in the marketplace and how often are they updated?
Busch: The “Big 3” energy codes are CA Title 24, Part 6 (CA Building Energy Efficiency Standards), ASHRAE 90.1, and the IECC, all of which get updated every three years. Both CA Title 24, Part 6 and ASHRAE 90.1 were last updated with the 2022 Code cycle and both are just completing drafts of their 2025 versions. The 2025 CA Title 24, Part 6 will then go into effect on January 1st, 2026 and other states will begin considering updating their standards to the 2025 ASHRAE 90.1 or select a version of the IECC instead. Currently, many states have adopted or are considering adoption of the 2021 IECC as an alternate to the 2022 ASHRAE 90.1.
How do these Big 3 building efficiency codes vary in their intent and operation?
Busch: Relative to CA Title 24, Part 6 and ASHRAE 90.1, the IECC has been more of a template that states and municipalities within states can adopt and modify with their own amendments. For example, Washington State has its own energy code based on IECC 2021 that far surpasses IECC’s requirements, and the city of Seattle, WA has its own even more stringent energy code that’s also based on IECC 2021. Other states, such as Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland, Illinois, Virginia, and New Mexico, have all adopted the 2021 IECC with amendments, while some states continue to use the 2009, 2015, and 2018 versions of the IECC standard. Arizona is one of the states that continues to follow older versions of the IECC, and several states that abide by “home rule” policy don’t enforce any particular code statewide and allow their individual municipalities to make their decisions independently. Currently, 11 states have officially adopted the 2021 IECC.
What’s currently driving adoption of IECC 2021 nationwide?
Busch: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) publishes what they determine to be the minimum requirements for energy efficiency in the U.S. Currently, states are required to certify that they have reviewed the provisions of their commercial building code regarding energy efficiency, and, as necessary, updated their codes to meet or exceed – e.g., be at least as stringent as -- 2022 ASHRAE 90.1. CA 2022 Title 24, Part 6 and 2021 IECC are considered as stringent as 2022 ASHRAE 90.1. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) is providing up to $1 billion for states and local jurisdictions to adopt and implement the latest building energy codes, zero energy building codes, or equivalent codes or standards, essentially incentivizing states to update their codes by providing funding assistance for that endeavor. Both the DOE’s mandate and IRA funding are among the factors helping to drive compliance.
What are the key differences between IECC 2018 and IECC 2021 as it relates to lighting and controls in the residential section of the standards?
Busch: Most of the states that have adopted IECC 2021 have included the additional requirement for the use of dimmers and occupancy sensors in the residential code sections, which only used to be a requirement in California Title 24, Part 6. Specifically, IECC 2021 established requirements for the use of interior lighting controls (dimmers, occupancy sensors, or other controls installed or built into the fixture) in residential settings for the first time, and also established that any permanently installed exterior lighting above 30 Watts must be controlled with a manual on/off switch which permits automatic shut-off actions (except for lighting serving multiple dwelling units). These exterior lighting fixtures must also “automatically shut off when daylight is present,” and “controls that override automatic shut-off actions shall not be allowed unless the override automatically returns automatic control to its normal operation within 24 hours.”
What’s the gist of IECC 2024 (just put into effect in July 2024)?
Busch: IECC 2024 moved parts of the 2021 code body and some renewable energy-related content to the appendix of the code so that they’re not mandatory. In general, energy codes going forward aren’t just designed to establish restrictions, but to prepare states and/or municipalities to fall in line with what’s being adopted nationwide. “Decarbonization” is what the country and industries are now striving to achieve, and “electrification” is the new focus (through such platforms as electric vehicle charging, electrical readiness for cooking, clothes drying, and water heating, etc.). The 2024 IECC will address energy efficiency on several fronts, including cost, energy usage, use of natural resources, and the impact of energy usage on the environment and will also undergo a reformat of the look and feel of the document to improve the user/reader experience.
How should distributors approach IECC 2021?
Busch: Distributors should educate their salespeople and customers on the status of energy codes, including the 2021 IECC, in each state they operate in, but they don’t have to do that alone! The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has established a Code Adoption Advocacy Committee to assist in tracking the adoption of energy codes on a state-by-state basis, and Leviton is an active member of that committee. As such, Leviton tracks energy code changes and maintains a document that monitors where states are in that decision-making process. The good news? Leviton’s state-by-state solution sheets will assist in identifying key energy code changes and a list of Leviton products/solutions that will support compliance. |
A distributor’s main priority is to work with key manufacturer partners like Leviton to ensure that they’ve stocked the right product solutions and are properly prepared. For instance, many of Leviton’s dimmers and occupancy sensors will assist in meeting the residential indoor lighting control requirements, and Leviton’s Part # VPT24-16Z programmable astronomical time switches can serve as a cost-effective solution that meets IECC 2021 requirements for residential exterior lighting control.
Many in our industry don’t understand the new energy codes and changes, aren’t sure where to find solutions, and are overwhelmed by all of the information out there. But by partnering with Leviton and allowing us to inform and help train your salespeople and customers, you don’t need to be an energy code expert – you just need to let Leviton’s energy code experts provide the support and solutions. We’re a tremendous resource, and distributors have a lot to gain by partnering with and letting |
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Leviton assist them in navigating through this process. We’ll explain the intent of the code, how and what solutions are required, and cost-effective ways to accomplish that!
For more information on IECC 2021, visit Leviton.com/energycodes or contact your Leviton sales representative to schedule a training session for your sales team or customers. |
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201 North Service Rd.
Melville, NY 11747
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