BUILDING CODES

& ENERGY EFFICIENCY:

MARYLAND
Updated February 26, 2010

B
uildings account for roughly 40 percent of the
total energy use in the United States and 70 per-
cent of our electricity use, representing a signifi-
cant opportunity for energy savings. Energy efficiency –
through the adoption and enforcement of strong building
energy codes – is the quickest, cheapest, and cleanest way
to reduce energy consumption and achieve a sustainable
and prosperous future. For most states, the first step has
been to adopt the U.S. model energy codes – the 2009
International Energy Conservation Code (2009 IECC)
and ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007.

In February 2009, the American Recovery and Rein-

vestment Act (Recovery Act) – the federal stimulus leg-
islation appropriating funds for a variety of state initia-
tives – allocated $3.1 billion for the U.S. Department of
Energy’s State Energy Program (SEP) to assist states with
building energy efficiency projects. As one of the require-
ments to receive this funding, Gov. Martin O’Malley cer-
tified to DOE1 that Maryland would implement energy
standards of equal or greater stringency than the latest
national model codes – the 2009 edition of the IECC and
Standard 90.1-2007. Having already received $23.8 mil-
lion2 out of a total $53.6 million in SEP funds, Maryland
has advanced the state’s best economic interest by
adopting the 2009 IECC and Standard 90.1-2007 (by ref-
erence).
THE IMPACT OF THE NATIONAL MODEL CODES
The 2009 IECC3 substantially improves upon the state’s
previous code and makes it simpler to provide Maryland
households and businesses lower utility costs, increased
comfort, and better economic opportunity. A limited DOE
analysis4 of the changes from states’ current residential
standards to the 2009 IECC resulted in estimated en-
ergy savings ranging from 5-20 percent in most states
for an average new house at recent fuel prices. Another
DOE analysis5 of the changes from Maryland’s previous
commercial standards estimates energy savings of 4-6
percent from Standard 90.1-2007.
According to models created by the Building Codes As-
sistance Project, Maryland is poised to make substantial
economic and environmental gains in the next two dec-
ades by embracing building energy efficiency:
By implementing the 2009 IECC and Standard 90.1-
2007 statewide beginning in 2010, Maryland busi-
nesses and homeowners will save an estimated $86
million annually by 2020 and an estimated $165 mil-
lion annually by 2030 in energy costs (based on 2006
energy prices).
Additionally, implementing the latest model codes will
help avoid roughly 15 trillion Btu of primary an-
nual energy use by 2030 and annual emissions of
about 1.1 million metric tons of CO2 by 2030.
OTHER BENEFITS OF THE 2009 IECC
The successful implementation of – and compliance with
– the national model codes also produces multiple eco-
nomic and environmental benefits and gains for the
building and utility industries:
New and renovated construction over 30 percent more
energy efficient than typical buildings not constructed
to meet national model energy standards
Expansion of the state economy by keeping local dol-
lars in Maryland
Simplified guidelines for builders and designers, cost-
effectiveness optimization, and uniformity throughout
the state
Improved indoor/outdoor air quality and reduced
greenhouse gas emissions from lower demand for elec-
tricity, natural gas, and heating oil
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Washington, DC 20036
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 MARYLAND: BEYOND THE MODEL ENERGY CODE
The Chesapeake Bay at sunset. (Credit–Creative Commons)
M
aryland’s current energy code6 for resi-
dential and commercial construction – the
2010 Maryland Building Performance
Standards (MBPS) – incorporates the 2009 IECC
by reference and is mandatory statewide. It became
fully effective January 1, 2010.
Per legislation passed in May 2009, the state Depart-
ment of Housing and Community Development
(DHCD) must also develop and adopt a new edition
of the MBPS within 12 months of the publication of
each new IECC edition.7 When states regularly up-
date and improve their energy codes, they ensure
the consistency and continued enhancement of the
benefits of model building practice.
Adoption, however, is only the first step. The state
must now implement its new code. As another con-
dition of accepting the Recovery Act SEP funds,
states must achieve compliance with these new stan-
dards in 90 percent of new and renovated residential
and commercial building space by 2017.8
Additionally, Maryland should consider following
the example of other states that are proven leaders in
energy efficiency by continuing to develop and
adopt innovative policies that go beyond the na-
tional model codes.
** NOTES **
1 7
US DOE (http://www.energy.gov/media/OMalley_Maryland.pdf)
2 8
US DOE (http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=225)
3 9
BCAP (http://bcap-energy.org/node/330)
4 10
US DOE (http://www.energycodes.gov/implement/state_codes/reports/
12
IECC2009_Residential_Nationwide_Analysis.pdf)
5 12
US DOE (http://www.energycodes.gov/implement/state_codes/reports/commercial/
Commercial_Maryland.pdf)
6
BCAP (http://bcap-ocean.org/state-country/maryland)
THE 30% SOLUTION & ADVANCED CODES
In 2008, in coordination with the D.C. Green Build-
ing Advisory Council (GBAC), the District of Co-
lumbia adopted the 2008 D.C. Construction Codes.9
Based on the “30% Solution”10 for residential
buildings (estimated to be more stringent than the
2009 IECC) and ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007 for
nonresidential buildings, the new codes also contain
several green amendments, including cool roofs,
on-site storm water retention, and low-flow residen-
tial and commercial plumbing fixtures.
UNIFORM VOLUNTARY “STRETCH CODE”
In 2009, Massachusetts approved Appendix 120AA
as an optional amendment to its mandatory state-
wide building energy code.11 The appendix, which
includes both residential and commercial code lan-
guage, is designed to be about 30 percent more
stringent than the 2006 IECC and ASHRAE Stan-
dard 90.1-2004. This optional "stretch code" was
developed in response to the call for improved local
building energy efficiency. Towns and cities may
adopt the appendix as a uniform alternative to the
base energy efficiency requirements of the state
code, easing future transitions to strengthen the
mandatory code.
MANDATORY GREEN BUILDING CODE
In January 2010, California adopted the nation’s
first mandatory green building standards, known
as CALGreen.12 Effective in 2011, the new code
will require all new buildings to reduce indoor water
use by 20 percent and divert 50 percent of construc-
tion waste from landfills. CALGreen also mandates
inspections of energy systems for large nonresiden-
tial buildings and the use of low-pollutant emitting
interior finish materials such as paints, carpet, vinyl
flooring, and particle board.
For more information, please visit www.bcap-ocean.org
BCAP (http://bcap-energy.org/node/414)
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Sec. 410 (2) (c)
IMT (http://www.green.dc.gov/green/lib/green/pdfs/Green_b-codes.pdf)
EECC (http://www.thirtypercentsolution.org)
MA BBRS (http://bcap-energy.org/node/418)
CA BSC (http://bcap-ocean.org/news/2010/january/21/california-adopts-nations-first
-mandatory-green-building-standards)
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Washington, DC 20036
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