FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 1, 2013
CONTACT:
Jim Meyers, Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, (303) 974-7243
Castle Rock Eases Compliance with Updated Building Codes
Phased Implementation is Secret to Success
CASTLE ROCK, CO – For Dan Weed, “phased implementation” is the secret to success when it
comes to updating municipal building energy codes.
The former lead building official for the Town of Castle Rock, Colo., says it is important to not
overwhelm local construction professionals with frequent changes, so he created a successful
schedule that phases in the new energy code construction changes over time.
“The goal for compliance with the new energy codes is for industry professionals to construct
buildings, install materials, and perform diagnostic testing in a manner consistent with code
requirements and manufacturer instructions,” says Weed. “But you can’t expect them to change
overnight when the codes are updated.”
Energy codes are updated by the International Code Council (ICC) every three years. Though the
new codes drive significant improvements in new construction practices and have yielded efficiency
gains of 30 percent or more over the past two code cycles, it takes time for the building industry to
become familiar with updated installation and construction practices. In addition, product
distributors may not immediately stock products such as high efficiency windows that are required in
the newer codes.
Weed says it is important to give industry professionals adequate time to transition to new code
requirements. Notification that new codes have been adopted is the first step, he said. Then training
programs that teach the new requirements and installation procedures should be offered by
municipalities and product manufacturers, he noted. Otherwise, outdated practices are likely to
continue.
In the Town of Castle Rock, an implementation plan is developed when new energy codes are
adopted. The plan provides a reasonable schedule for the transition and sets expectations between
the town’s building department and industry professionals. Plans provide a clear and reasonable
timeline for industry professionals and building department staff to comply with and enforce new
procedures. Weed says this model is especially useful when a jurisdiction skips a code cycle or is
new to enforcing energy codes.
For more information, download a copy of “Energy Code Implementation: A Planning Guide for
Building Departments,” prepared by building efficiency professionals at the Southwest Energy
Efficiency Project (SWEEP) at www.swenergy.org. A webinar on this topic will be hosted by
SWEEP at the end of June. Register here (https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/978848814).
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About SWEEP: The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) is a public interest organization
dedicated to advancing energy efficiency in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and
Wyoming. To learn more, visit www.swenergy.org.