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SEP SPECIAL PROJECTS IN NEBRASKA BUILDING ENERGY CODES PROGRAM |
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The U.S. Department of Energy offers the Building Energy Codes Program as an information resource to increase energy efficiency through energy code standards in new construction of residential and commercial buildings.
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From 1983 MEC to 2003 IECC: The New Nebraska Energy Code (2004) $32,223. This project provides training to implement and enforce the 2003 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) as the new Nebraska Energy Code. The new code is effective July 1, 2005. Information about the codes training appeared in the December 2004 issue of the Nebraska Energy Quarterly. Various training sessions focus on how building code officials should inspect construction to properly enforce the code; how the proper ways for builders and general contractors to use the technologies to get the maximum benefit from the installation of energy-efficient equipment and products; on the impact of the residential and commercial provisions of the code on building design and operations for the design community; and the impact of the code on proper design and sizing of heating, cooling and ventilation equipment for suppliers and installers. Legislation(PDF) was passed by the state's Unicameral to update the state's building codes. A project summary appears at the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy web site. |
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 Codes - Study (2002) $100,000 |
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The Develop Persuasive Nebraska Specific Materials to Further the Adoption of the Next Generation of Building Codes project enabled the Energy Office and its partner, the University of Nebraska architectural engineering department, to complete a survey of local codes and building practices and types and sizes of homes being built. The work included analysis of energy savings, construction costs and economic benefits associated with updating the current energy code. The report of the study’s findings appeared in the April 2004 Nebraska Energy Quarterly. Legislation was passed by the state's Unicameral to update the state's building codes. A summary listed the effects of the legislation. A project summary appears at the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy web site. |
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| Home Energy Rating System (HERS) (1998) $50,000 |
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The Home Energy Ratings System for Nebraska project assisted the Nebraska Energy Office in implementing energy efficiency improvements in new and existing homes and promoting compliance with the 1995 Model Energy Code (MEC). By implementing a HERS the Energy Office intent was to increase awareness of energy efficiency opportunities in homes and the availability of various financing options to homeowners. A total of 33 individuals completed the training and requirements to be designated as Certified Home Energy Raters. A total of 155 home energy ratings were completed. |
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| Codes – Financing Incentives (1998) $400,000 |
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The Financing Incentives for Increased Energy Efficiency in Nebraska project utilized financing incentives to increase the awareness of building standards exceeding the 1995 Model Energy Code, and to incorporate those standards in the construction of new affordable housing units. The Energy Office purchased a twenty percent share, at zero interest, on a total of 13 energy efficient mortgages financed by lenders participating in the Dollar and Energy Saving Loan Program, which were constructed thirty percent above the 1995 Model Energy Code. The $400,000 in grant funds, plus $24,940 in repayments, leveraged more than $1.6 million from private lenders. The total of all loans was over $2 million. |
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| Codes – Non-traditional Approach (1997) $255,510 |
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The Non-traditional Approach to Model Energy Code Compliance project demonstrated the use of financing incentives to implement higher energy standards and allow Nebraska to make further progress in voluntary compliance with the 1995 Model Energy Code. The Energy Office used $200,000 of grant funds to finance energy efficient mortgages under the Dollar and Energy Saving Loan Program. The intent was to use $200,000 to leverage an additional $800,000 from private lenders to fund $1 million in energy efficient mortgages built to standards at or above the 1995 Model Energy Code. Using this financing mechanism, the Nebraska Energy Office offered below market interest rates on construction and permanent financing for single family homes that met or exceeded the code. The investment of $246,830 for energy efficient mortgages resulted in leveraging over $1.23 million from private lenders for more than $1.48 million in new homes built to exceed the 1995 Model Energy Code. During this project, Energy Office staff also reviewed building plans for 1,344 living units to determine if the plans complied with the model code. |
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