BUILDING CODES
& ENERGY EFFICIENCY:
SOUTH CAROLINA
B
uildings account for almost 40 percent of the
total energy use in the United States and 70
percent of our electricity use, representing a
significant opportunity for energy savings. New con-
struction is the most cost-effective point in the life of
a building to establish minimum energy efficiency
elements. Building energy codes serve as a logical
starting point for comprehensive modern policies to
reduce energy dependence and extend our natural
resources. For the state of South Carolina, this first
step should be the adoption of the U.S. model energy
codes, the International Energy Conservation
Code (IECC) and ASHRAE Standard 90.1.
In February 2009, the American Recovery and Re-
investment Act (Recovery Act) – the federal stimu-
lus 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 efforts. As one
of the requirements to receive this funding, Gov.
Mark Sanford certified to DOE that the state would
implement energy standards of equal or greater strin-
gency than the latest national model codes—the 2009
edition of the IECC and Standard 90.1-2007.
Having already received $25 million in federal SEP
funding, the state is eligible to receive an additional
$25 million in grants upon demonstration of the suc-
cessful implementation of its energy plans submitted
to DOE. To ensure the state’s best economic inter-
ests, South Carolina should adopt the 2009 IECC
and Standard 90.1-2007 statewide and begin enjoy-
ing the benefits of an efficient building sector.
CONSUMER BENEFITS
South Carolina consumers will save money well
into the future by reducing utility bills, minimizing
the negative impacts of fluctuations in energy sup-
ply and cost, and conserving available energy re-
sources. Retail and office buildings constructed to
meet the requirements of the IECC can be more
than 30 percent more energy efficient than typical
buildings not constructed to meet the energy code.
Updated August 17, 2009
Monetary savings derived from codes increase con-
sumer purchasing power, ultimately helping to ex-
pand the Palmetto State economy.
BUILDING COMMUNITY BENEFITS
The national model code, the 2009 IECC, offers
flexibility to South Carolina builders and design
professionals, allowing them to optimize the cost-
effectiveness of energy efficient features in their
building products, and to satisfy the variety of con-
sumer preferences.
A uniform building energy code across the state’s
46 counties provides consistency for the construc-
tion sector and enables local jurisdictions to pool
limited resources and combine personnel to form
regional enforcement and educational programs.
UTILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
An energy code improves the energy performance
of all new buildings and reduces demand on power
generators, therefore improving the air quality of
local communities throughout the state.
Electricity use is one of the leading generators of air
pollution. Rising power demand increases emis-
sions of sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides and carbon
dioxide. Energy codes have proven to be one of the
most cost-effective means to address air pollution
and other environmental impacts.
1850 M St. NW Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
www.bcap-energy.org
 A MODEL STATE ENERGY CODE FOR SOUTH CAROLINA
S
outh Carolina recently mandated the 2006 IECC
statewide for all new and substantially reno-
vated residential and commercial construction,
effective July 1. The 2009 IECC, however, contains
enhancements compared to its predecessor version that
offer South Carolina households and businesses 15%
greater energy efficiency, as well as lower utility costs,
increased comfort, and better economic opportunity.
HOW IT WORKS
Primary prescriptive changes in the 2009 IECC affect-
ing South Carolina are the following:
Better insulated windows and walls
Half of installed lighting fixtures are required to
have bulbs at least as efficient as compact fluores-
cent lamps (CFLs)
Better insulation on mechanical system pipes
Thermal envelope components have to be visually
inspected or a blower door test must be performed
Ducts must be tested to avoid excessive air leakage
HOUSEHOLD PROSPERITY
In 2006, South Carolina ranked 42nd in the nation in
median household income, yet ranked 23rd in per cap-
ita energy expenditures (U.S. Census Bureau & EIA).
This has a significant impact in terms of household
finances. Energy expenses comprise an economic
drain on low-income communities. Low-income
households typically spend 17 percent of their total
annual income on energy, compared with four per-
cent for other households. According to some esti-
mates, more than four-fifths of energy expenses leave
low-income communities, and therefore do not circu-
late and generate additional economic activity inside
those communities.
ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND SUPPLIES
Coal is an important fuel for electricity generation in
South Carolina, typically supplying more than two-
fifths of the electricity market. South Carolina has no
coal mines, and coal-fired power plants rely on sup-
plies shipped primarily from Kentucky.
Angel Oak in Charleston, South Carolina (Credit: Mark Requidan)
Per capita electricity consumption in South Carolina
is among the highest in the United States. This is due
in part to high demand for electric air-conditioning
during hot summer months, and the widespread use
of electricity for home heating during typically mild
winter months. Nearly three-fifths of South Carolina
households use electricity as their primary energy
source for home heating (EIA).
POTENTIAL SAVINGS FROM
THE NATIONAL MODEL ENERGY CODE
With increased awareness of national energy needs
and projections of sharp energy cost increases in the
coming decade, state policymakers can provide guid-
ance and establish sound standards with an eye to-
wards the future that can ultimately redirect wasted
energy expenditures back into South Carolina’s
economy.
Assuming a common practice equivalent to the
2006 IECC, if South Carolina updated its code to
the 2009 IECC, businesses and homeowners
would save an estimated $188 million by 2020
and an estimated $355 million by 2030 in annual
energy costs (assuming 2006 energy prices).
Additionally, adopting the 2009 IECC statewide in
South Carolina would help avoid 49.4 trillion Btu
of primary annual energy use and annual emis-
sions of 3.5 million metric tons of CO2 by 2030.
For more information, please consult the Building Codes
Assistance Project website at www.bcap-energy.org.
1850 M St. NW Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
www.bcap-energy.org