Public Comment Period Opens for National Green Building Standard Updates
The 45-day public comment period for draft 2 of the 2024 NGBS begins on April 12, 2024
Public Comment Period Opens for 2024 National Green Building Standard Update
The 45-day public comment period opened Aug. 18, and comments must be submitted by Oct. 2, 2023
The Inefficiencies of the Latest Energy Code
The 2021 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) hampers the return on investment for builders and homebuyers
New RESNET Label Provides Home Energy-Efficiency Ratings and Certifications Info
A one-page, consumer-friendly label is now available for all homes in the RESNET Registry
Meet the Zero Energy Ready Home Program Version 2
The latest version of the ZERH program aims to push home energy efficiency and performance to the next level
Utah’s Housing Recovery Hinges on Federal Permitting Reform
Despite a fast pace of new-construction projects statewide, demand for housing in Utah continues to outpace supply. Local builders say reforming an outdated federal permitting process could help
Smart + Resilient Cities
Flooding in America: A Story of Love, Loss, and Risking It All
Imagine investing in a house, improving it, and making it a home only to discover it is worth nothing. In twelve years, flooding wiped out nearly…
ASHRAE Updates Standards for Ventilation, Air Quality
ASHRAE released updated editions of its standards for ventilation system design and acceptable indoor air quality (IAQ). ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.1…
As Paradise Rebuilds, Residents Wonder How Much to Spend on Fire Resilience?
It’s been one year since the town of Paradise, Calif., was devastated by wildfire. A dozen houses have been rebuilt, a few hundred more have plans…
Most Voters Support Licensing Standards for Architects
A survey by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) indicates strong support for architecture as a licensed profession.…
More Cities Are Streamlining Permits and Zoning for Rooftop Solar
More than 300 municipalities have received designations from SolSmart, a national program that helps streamline permitting and zoning processes to…
Major Cities Fight Climate Change With New Building Performance Standards
Three large jurisdictions adopted Building Performance Standards (BPS) policies in 2019, and more are considering such action. A BPS policy can…
Local Building Codes Sometimes Fail to Address Disaster Threats
In some areas, local building codes ignore real threats, says the author of a new book on designing for disaster resiliency. For example, in some…
Undisclosed ICC Agreement With NAHB Allegedly Thwarts More Stringent Building Codes
The International Code Council made an unpublicized deal with the National Association of Home Builders that has effectively blocked efforts to…
Hurricane Resilience Can Reduce South Carolina Homeowners' Insurance Cost
Homes in South Carolina that have certain hurricane resilience features can save money on insurance for owners. Items such as impact glass windows…
Texas Prohibits Locals From Restricting Building Materials
A new Texas law prohibits local restrictions on building materials and restricts cities’ ability to impose aesthetic standards on new construction…
