Building Energy Codes Best Practices Report

For APEC Economies

APEC Energy Working Group

January 2010
June2009 BuildingEnergyCodesReportforSingapore

EWG 15/2008A

Prepared by the Building Codes Assistance Project of the Alliance to Save Energy

June 2009

Produced for:
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Secretariat
35 Heng Mui Keng Terrace
Singapore 119616
Tel: (65) 68919 600 Fax: (65) 68919 690
Email: info@apec.org
Website: www.apec.org

2010 APEC Secretariat

APEC#210-RE-01.3

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Introduction

Objectives

Thispaperwasdevelopedforthepurposeofencouragingcontinuedprogressandinnovationon
buildingenergycodesamongAPECeconomies.Astheenergyintensityofbuildingssteadilyincreases,
energycodesandstandardsareunderstoodtobeimportanttoreducingenergyconsumptionand
pollutantsbymakingnewconstructionmoreenergyefficient.Thebuiltenvironmentnotonlyaccounts
forthehighestportionofoverallenergyconsumptioninmostcountries,butitalsohasbeenidentified
tocontainsomeofthemostcosteffectiveimprovementopportunities.iHowever,itisonlyby
mandatingstandardswhichcapturetheenergysavingspotentialineverybuilding,throughacode,that
largescaleenergyefficiencycanoccur.

Muchoftheinternationaldiscussiononenergycodesinthepasthasbeenonthetechnical
requirements;however,thereisgrowingrecognitionthatotherimportantpoliciesandprogramsare
equallyimportant.Thispaperseekstofillthatgapbyidentifyingbestpracticeareasandhighlighting
examplesfromamongtheAPECeconomies.Whilethereisnooneexampletopointto,thereare
certainlymanyeconomiesmakinggreatprogressondifferentbestpractices.Theprimaryobjectiveof
thispaperistoshareinformationontheactivitythatistakingplace,increaseawarenessof
opportunitiesamongAPECmembereconomies,andencourageideasandstrategiestobesharedand
leveragedforthebenefitofeachmember.

Background&ResearchBasis
ThisBestPracticesReportwasdevelopedasapartofalargerprojecttoupdateinformationonbuilding
energycodesinAPECeconomies,andwasfundedbyAPECthroughtheAPECEnergyWorkingGroup
(EWG)andExpertGrouponEnergyEfficiencyandConservation(EGEE&C).Thekeyobjectiveofthis
projectwastobuildonpriorworkthathadbeencarriedouttosurveythecurrentstatusofbuilding
energycodesinAPECeconomies,andcomparethescope,levelofstringency,andenforcement
mechanismsofthecurrentbuildingcodes,withparticularfocusonidentifyingeffectiveprogramsand
strategiesthatcanbeshared.

Priorstudiesincludea2003report,EnergyEfficiencyProgrammesinDevelopingandTransitional
Economies,publishedbytheAsiaPacificEnergyResearchCentreandtheInstituteofEnergy
Economics,Japan.Thereportcoversprogramsinthefollowing12APECeconomies:Chile;China;Hong
Kong,China;Indonesia;Malaysia;Mexico;Peru;Philippines;Russia;ChineseTaipei;Thailand;VietNam.
Thereportcoversbuildingenergycodes,aswellasnumerousotherbuilding,industrial,and
transportationsectorprograms,andprovidesanexcellentoverviewofthetypesofbroadefforts
underwaytocurbenergyconsumptionthroughefficiencymeasures.

i
CurbingGlobalEnergyDemandGrowth:TheEnergyProductivityOpportunity,McKinseyGlobalInstitute,2007.
December2009 BuildingEnergyCodesBestPracticesReportforAPECEconomies

Morerecently,theAsiaPacificPartnership(APP)conducteddetailedstudiesofitspartnercountries.
Thesereports,completedin2009bythePacificNorthwestNationalLaboratory,aredetailedaccountsof
theenergycoderequirements,relevantpolicies,enforcementprocedures,andmarketbasedvoluntary
programsinAustralia,Canada,China,India,Japan,Korea,andtheUnitedStates.BecausetheAPP
partnercountriesaccountforhalfoftheworldsenergyconsumption,thesereportssoughttosurvey
energycodesanddeveloprecommendationsforimprovementstoreduceenergyuseinbuildings.
Whiletheseparateeconomyreportswereimportanttogatheringtheavailableenergycoderesearchon
APECeconomies,thefinalsummativepaperwasnotyetavailabletoinformthisbestpracticesreport.

Incompletingthisproject,theBuildingCodesAssistanceProject(BCAP)conductedindependentfact
checkingresearchtoconfirm,expand,andupdatetheinformationcontainedinexistingreports,and
alsodevelopedneweconomyspecificreportsforBruneiDarussalam,NewZealand,PapuaNewGuinea,
andSingapore(economiesnotcoveredinthepriorAPECstudyortheAPPeconomyreports).To
supportinformationsharingamongalltheAPECeconomies,BCAPdevelopedeconomyspecificsections
onitsresourcewebsite,theOnlineCodeEnvironmentandAdvocacyNetwork(OCEAN;
http://www.bcapocean.org/codestatus).Thesesiteseachlinktocodedocumentsandresources,
detailthecodeadoptionandchangeprocessineacheconomy,andprovideinformationonthe
economy,energydata,climateconcerns,andgreenbuildinginitiatives.Thesitesalsohighlightbest
practicescurrentlyinplaceand,basedonopportunitiestostrengthenthecodeorrelatedpolices,
recommendsotherAPECeconomiesasmodelsforthoseimprovements.

ManyoftheviewsonbestpracticespresentedinthisreportcomefromBCAPsexperienceofover16
yearsworkingoncodeadoptionandimplementationintheUnitedStates.Thoughasingleeconomy,
themixoflocalpolicies,fullrelianceonstateauthoritytoputcodesinplace,responsibilityoflocal
authoritiestoconductenforcement,alongwithavarietyofclimatescapturethemajorityofwhatis
beingexperiencedelsewhereintheworld.BCAPhasalsoconductedenergycodesupportworkinIndia,
heldarecentinternationalworkshoponenergycodes,andparticipatedintheWorldBanksmeetingon
energycodecompliance.Theseandotherinteractionshavereinforcedthevalueofsharingbest
practicesacrosstheworldbyemphasizingthecommongoalsandstrugglesthatexistamongcountries.

TheRoleofBuildingEnergyCodes

InBuildingConstruction
Energycodesaregenerallyadoptedasasubsetofabroadergroupofcodeswhichgovernthedesign
andconstructionofbuildingsandprovidesafeguardsforthehealthandwelfareofoccupants.Theyare
establishedtosetaminimumbaselineforacceptablepractices,whethertheyrelatetoelectrical
systems,plumbing,structuralelements,ormechanicalequipment.Typically,codesreflectcommon
practice,aswellasmaterialsandequipmentwhicharereadilyavailable.

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December2009 BuildingEnergyCodesBestPracticesReportforAPECEconomies

Intheirmostcompleteform,buildingenergycodescoverthedesignandconstructionofallenergy
consumingelementsandsystems.Thisincludesthebuildingenvelopethewallandceilinginsulation,
windowanddoorspecifications,roofsandfoundations.Alsoincludedareheating,ventilation,andair
conditioning(HVAC)equipmentefficiency,aswellaswaterheating,lightingfixtures,andcontrols.
Increasinglyenergycodesaddressnaturalventilation,shading,andrenewableenergycomponents.

Buildingcodesareimportantbecausetheyrepresentauniquechancetoimpactthelifeofabuilding.
Thisisparticularlyimportantforenergyefficiency.Onceanewbuildingisconstructed,itisvery
expensiveandoftenimpossibletoachievethelevelofefficiencythatcanbebuiltineconomicallyatthe
timeofconstruction.Adjustingbuildingorientationandconfigurationinanexistingbuildingisnot
possiblewithoutamajorreconstructionandimprovingwallinsulation,asanexample,canbeacostly
undertaking.Itisvitaltomakeenergyefficiencyafundamentalpartofthebuildingdesignand
constructionprocess.Theobjectiveofenergycodesistoprotectconsumers,improveoccupantcomfort
andbusinessproductivity,saveenergyandmoneyand,formany,achievelargescalecarbonreductions
throughreduceddemandforenergyfrombuildings.Thisisverydifferentfromtheroleandevolutionof
othertypesofbuildingcodessuchasplumbing,electrical,andfirewheretheinnovationsinenergyfar
outpacethoseinotherareasandthegoalreachesbeyondsafetyandwelfare.

InEconomyPolicy
AreviewofpoliciesacrossAPECeconomiesrevealstheimportanceofaddressingclimatechange.The
followingareexamples:

NationalBiodiversityandClimateChangeActionPlan20042007(Australia)
NationalClimateChangeProgramme2007(China)
NationalEnergyPlan20082030(Korea)
NewZealandEnergyStrategyto2050(NewZealand)
NationalClimateStrategy(Singapore)
ActionPlanonClimateChange(VietNam)

Sinceenergycodesestablishtheminimumallowablelevelofenergyefficiencyinthebuildingsector,
theycanbeapowerfulstrategicpolicytouseincurbingemissionslinkedtoclimatechange.
Atmosphericemissionsfromtheuseofenergycanleadtoacidrain,groundlevelozone,smog,and
globalclimatechange.Becauseofthesefundamentalenvironmentalissues,inadditiontothe
increasingcostofenergy,itisvitallyimportanttoconsidertheadoptionandimplementationofenergy
efficientbuildingcodesassoundpublicpolicyinanyrebuildeffort.Strengtheningthislinkcanalsobe
beneficialtoimprovingcodeadoptionandcompliancebyaddingdomesticimportancetothecodes.
Forreasonsdiscussedabove,buildingcodesarenottypicallylinkedtoissuesoutsidetheimmediate
healthandsafetyofbuildingoccupants.Inaddition,itisthevoluntaryprogramsandgreenbuildings
whichareusuallydiscussedbythemediainmovingsocietytobecomemoreenergyefficient.However,
fullyimplementedstrongenergycodes,whilenotoftenasexcitingintheireffectonasinglebuildings
design,canachievemajorshiftsintheefficiencyoftheentirebuildingsector.

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December2009 BuildingEnergyCodesBestPracticesReportforAPECEconomies

Duetothescaleofchangepotentiallycausedbycodes,otherbenefitscanbedemonstrated,aswell.
Countriesthatimportresourcessuchasoil,gas,andcoalcanincreaseenergysecurityandreducetheir
risktopricevolatilitybydecreasingoveralldemand.Reducedburningoffossilfuelsincountrieswith
theirownresourcesimprovespublichealth,andcanreducethedrainondistributionsystems,increasing
utilitysystemreliability.Andwhereenergycostsarehigh,efficiencycanimprovetheeconomyby
loweringtheoperatingexpensesforhomeandbuildingowners.

InPartnershipwithHighPerformanceBuildingPrograms
Thereisalotofattentionpaidtoprogramsthatpromoteeitherhighlevelsofenergyefficiencyorgreen
technologyinbuildings.Theseareimportantactivitiesandthroughthemtheabilityofwhatcanbe
achievedinbuildingsisexpanded.Theseprogramstestandprovenewapproachesandtechnologies,
andestablishcostsandbenefits.However,itisonlythroughmandatesorlawsthatestablish
requirementsforallbuildingsthatsignificantchangescanoccurandlargescaleenergysavingscanbe
achieved.Countriescanbenefitbyutilizingprogramsthatpullthebuildingsectorforwardandenergy
codesthepushthemarkettokeepup.Infact,theadoptionofcodesandstandardscansupportthe
expansionofproductavailability,thedevelopmentofimproveddesignandconstructionpracticesand
services,andincreaseuptakeofhighperformancebuildingpractices.However,thisrelationshipisnot
commonlydevelopedandcodesandvoluntaryprogramstypicallyoperatewithoutanyrelationshipto
sharemarketreadypractices,costbenefitdata,ortoachievelongtermenergyefficiencygoals.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Source: (modified from US Department of Energy)

CodeStatusSummary
AcrosstheAPECeconomies,therearethreewithnoknownenergycodesBruneiDarussalam,Papua
NewGuinea,andPeru.Howeverthesecountriesdohaveopportunitiestoutilizeexistingactivitiesto
adoptandimplementenergycodes.Theothereconomieshaveamixofresidentialandcommercial,

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December2009 BuildingEnergyCodesBestPracticesReportforAPECEconomies

systemonlyandwholebuildingregulations.Thesefunctioninanevenmorecomplexenvironmentof
mandatoryandvoluntarycompliancerequirements,mixedlevelsofenforcement,andvariedsupporting
policies.Inourefforttoassemblebestpractices,thispaperaddressesthepracticesandpoliciesofAPEC
economieswithafocusonthosewithleadingandprogressiveactivities.Keepinginmindthatall
elementsneedtobeinplaceforasignificantchangetothebuildingstockovertime,evaluatingeach
separatelyprovidesthebestopportunityforimprovement.[Seetableonfollowingpageforsummary]

DefiningBestPractices
Thereisnosingleenergycodeorsetofrequirementssuitableforalleconomies;themainobjectiveof
energycodeeffortsistosetupasystemwithineacheconomythatprovidesprogressivestandardsfor
buildingpractices,encouragesmarketinnovation,andsuppliesstrongenforcement.Codeshavetheir
ownuniquehurdles.Unlikevoluntaryprogramsaimedatproducinggreenorhighperformance
buildings,stakeholdersareoftennotmotivatedoreducatedastotheenergyandcostsavingstheycan
achievethroughcodes.Thoughcodesappearquitesimpleandstraightforward,thedetailsofsetting
therightscopeandstringency,capturingmarketreadyproductsandservices,andprovidingtraining,
amongmanyotheractivities,requiresalargescaleviewandagreatdealofcoordination.

ThispaperhighlightsbestpracticesfromAPECeconomiesthataretransferable.Alleconomieshavethe
opportunity to benefit to some degree from policies and best practices, including the United States,
Canada,andothercountriesthatmaybefartheralongonthetechnicaldevelopmentofcodesbutare
falling short on effective implementation and market acceptance. There are three areas of activity
observedamongtheAPECeconomiesthatrelatetoenergycodesandtheirroleinsettinganeffective
baselineforenergyconsumption:1)technicalrequirements,2)enforcementpoliciesandpractices,and
3)code implementationandsupport. Theseeachfunctionaskeysupports to strongeffective energy
codesandplayimportantanduniqueroles.

Breakingapartthesethreeareasandhighlightingactivitiesandbestpracticesprovidesanopportunity
toevaluatepotentialimprovementstrategiesforindividualeconomies.Itisclearthatwhilethereisa
commonneedforimprovement,therearealsoexamplesofeffectivesolutionsandasignificant
opportunitytolearnfromothers.

TechnicalRequirements
Untilrecently,muchofthefocusonenergyinbuildingshasnotbeenonsettingminimumtechnical
requirementsthroughcodesbutonhighlyvisible,voluntaryprograms(seelatersectiononCode
ImplementationSupport).Theseprogramsdemonstratewhatisachievable,butlargescaleenergy
savingsareachievedbyimprovingmassconstruction.Thismeanssettingtheminimumallowablelevel
ofefficiencyforallbuildings,throughcodes,andstrengtheningthoserequirementsovertimetoreach
specificenergyandclimategoals.

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December2009 BuildingEnergyCodesBestPracticesReportforAPECEconomies

Settingtechnicalspecificationsincodeisnotaneasytask.Thenatureofacode,asopposedtoa
voluntaryprogram,issuchthatitmustbeachievablebyall.Notonlymusttherightmaterialsand
productsbeavailable,butskilledservicesamongarchitects,engineers,contractors,andotherbuilding
professionalsneedtobeaccessibletoowners.Inconductingresearchforthispaper,theissueof
availability,andwhatitmaymeanindifferentcountrieswasaparticularpointofinterest.SomeAPEC
economieshavewelldevelopedtransportationnetworkswhereproductscanbemovedeasily
throughoutdifferentareas,aswellashavemarketsthatofferalargeselectionofbuildingmaterials
fromdomesticandinternationalsources.Otherseconomieshaveregionswhichrelyonlocalproducts
forreasonsofcostand/oravailabilitylimitingtheirchoicesandopportunities.Coderequirements
mustalsoappropriatelyaddressclimaticconditionsand,becausetherearenofinancialincentivesfor
codes,requirementsshouldalsobecosteffectivetoimplement.

Thecomplicatednatureofsettingtechnicalstandards,whichmustfitalloftheseparameterstobe
effective,makesthetaskofcomparingrequirementsbetweencountriesespeciallydifficult.Whilea
economymayhaveanopportunitytoincreasethestringencyoftheircode,requirementsborrowed
fromanothereconomymaynotbeappropriateinadifferentmarketsituation.Forthisreason,and
becausethetechnicalstringencyisonlyonecomponentofachievinganenergyefficientbuildingsector,
thispaperoffersanevaluationframeworkbasedonasetofrelatedbestpracticesandbroaderpolicies.ii
Toimprovetechnicalrequirementsandincreasethestringencyofcodes,werecommendcountrieslook
tootherswithsimilarclimatezones,andmorerecentlyset/updatedcodesforpossibleexamples.We
alsosuggestthateffortstostrengthencodesarecombinedwithanexaminationoftheproductand
servicemarketsothattrainingandsupportactivitiescanbeundertaken,whereappropriate.

Theactionsandcharacteristicslistedanddiscussedbelowarerecommendedasbestpracticesfor
improvingthetechnicalrequirementsofbuildingenergycodes:
BestPractices:

Regularupdates
Wholebuildingscope
Residentialandcommercialrequirements
Recognitionofclimaticvariations

ii
DetailedtechnicalreviewsofcoderequirementscanbefoundinseparateAPECeconomyreports;seewww.bcap
ocean.org/codestatus

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December2009 BuildingEnergyCodesBestPracticesReportforAPECEconomies

Regularupdates
Asenergycodesbecomeupdated,driftingawayfromcommonpracticeandevenfartherfrom
innovativebuildingsolutions,theyquicklylosetheireffectiveness.Itisimportantthatcodesreflect
costeffectiveenergysavingpracticesandproductsandkeepupwithmarketdevelopments.Ifnot,
buildersandcontractorswhopursueleastcostconstructionoptionswillcontinuetopreventaportion
ofthebuildingmarketfromimproving.Thetablebelowliststhemostrecentdateofdevelopmentor
updatesforresidentialandcommercialenergycodesinplaceinAPECeconomies.

Date of most recent development Residential Commercial

or update
2009 Australia, Chinese Taipei, United Australia, United States*
States*
2008 Korea, Singapore Korea, Singapore
2007 Chile; Hong Kong, China; New Hong Kong, China; New Zealand;
Zealand Chinese Taipei; United States
2005 Viet Nam
2004 China (lighting), Mexico (lighting)
2003 Russia Russia
2001 Mexico (envelope)
1999 Japan Japan
1997 Canada Canada*
1995 China* Thailand
1992 Indonesia
1989 Malaysia Malaysia

* These codes are currently undergoing updates. In the United States, a 2012 residential code is under development for release in
2011; a 2010 commercial code update is being finalized for release in late 2010. In Canada, an update to the commercial code was
launched in 2008 for release in 2012. China was updating their residential code with an expected release date in 2008; status
information was not found.

AlthoughcodesinChina,Canada,andtheUnitedStatesareallundergoingupdates,thereareno
availableexamplesofmandatoryrevisions.CodeandstandardsettingorganizationsintheUnited
Statesreleaserevisionsapproximatelyeverythreeyears,providingstategovernmentswithnew
nationalmodelcodesandtheopportunitytoadoptupdatedrequirements.Someindividualstateshave
theirownpoliciesthatcallformandatoryupdates,basedonthereleaseofnewnationalmodelcodesor
ontheirownlongtermgoalsforenergyefficiencyimprovementinthebuildingsector.However,
withoutmandatoryadoptionfortheeconomy,thereisanirregulareffectonoverallconstructionfrom
thesecodeupdates.Nevertheless,theresultofconstantlydevelopingnewstandards,andthe
increasedsavingsachievedwithineachrevision,providestheUnitedStateswithupdatedmodel
requirementsandisagoodsourceofinformationanddataforothersseekingtorevisetheirowncodes.

Lookingatthetableabove,severaleconomieshaveanopportunitytolooktoothersformoreupdated
coderequirements.Forexample,therecentrequirementsreleasedinSingaporeandVietNammaybe
abletoinformupdatestocodesinotherpartsofMalaysia,Thailand,andIndonesia,whichhavesimilar
climates.

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December2009 BuildingEnergyCodesBestPracticesReportforAPECEconomies

WholeBuildingScope
Codesthatcoverthemajorityofenergyconsumingbuildingsystemswill,generally,achieveahigher
levelofoverallefficiencythatthosethatonlyaddresssinglesystems.Thisisimportant,notonlyto
capturethemostenergysavingsopportunitiesaspossible,butalsoforcosteffectiveness.Acodethat
setsstrictefficiencyrequirementsforHVACsystemsintheabsenceofreducingenergyleakedthrough
theenvelopewillnotbecosteffective,overall,totheowner.Australia;Canada;HongKong,China;
Japan;Korea;NewZealand;Singapore;andtheUnitedStatesallsetenergycodeswhichcovermost
systems.Typically,codescovertheenvelope,lighting,HVAC,servicewaterheating,andelectrical
power.

Singapore'scodeisnoteworthyinitsextensionbeyondthescopeofenergyefficiency.TheCodeon
EnvironmentalSustainabilityofBuildings(2008)isforresidentialandcommercialconstruction,sets
standardsonenergyefficiency,anddevelopschecklistsforbothtypesofbuildings.Thecodecontains
requirementsforthebuildingenvelope,indoorairquality,lighting,ventilation,andHVAC,aswellas
waterefficiencyandotherenvironmentalqualitymeasures.Bonuspointsareawardedforuseof
renewableresources.

EmulatingtheGreenMarkbuildingratingsysteminSingapore,thiscodesetsouttheminimum
environmentalsustainabilitystandardsforbuildingsforallnewbuildingprojectsthatinvolveagross
floorareaof2,000m2ormore,aswellasadditionsorextensionstoexistingbuildingswhichinvolve
increasingthegrossfloorareaof2,000m2.iiiThecodemotivatesbuildingdesignerstobe
environmentalstewardsbyincorporatingecofriendlymaterials,ecoconsciousconstructionpractices,
waterandenergyefficiency,naturallighting,aswellasbuildinglifecycleconcerns.Tofurtherestablish
thesenewenvironmentalinitiatives,amendmentsweremadetotheBuildingControlActthatseta
minimumfiftypointGreenMarkscoreforbothresidentialandnonresidentialnewbuildingwork.iv

ResidentialandCommercialRequirements
Codesthatdonotaddressallmajorbuildingsystemsloseopportunitiestosaveenergy,butsodocodes
thatcoveronlypartofthebuildingsector.ThefollowingAPECeconomiesallhavebuildingenergycodes
forconstructioninboththeircommercialandresidentialsectors:Australia;Canada;China;HongKong,
China;Japan;Korea;Malaysia;NewZealand;thePhilippines;Russia;,Singapore;ChineseTaipei;andthe
UnitedStates.

Likesomeoftheotherfactorsrelatedtoenergycodesthatarediscussedinthispaper,theeconomy
specificsituationissignificantwhendetermininganareaoffocus.WhileCanadaandtheUnitedStates
bothhaveagreateramountofthemarkettakenupbyresidentialbuildingsthancommercial,theenergy

iii
BuildingandConstructionAuthority(BCA)2008.CodeforEnvironmentalSustainabilityofBuildings.
http://www.bca.gov.sg/EnvSusLegislation/others/Env_Sus_Code.pdf
iv
BuildingandConstructionAuthority,BuildingControlEnvironmentalSustainabilityRegulations.
http://www.bca.gov.sg/BuildingControlAct/building_control_env_sus_regulations.htm

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December2009 BuildingEnergyCodesBestPracticesReportforAPECEconomies

useofbothsectorsisrelativelythesame.However,from1995to2005,Chinasresidentialenergy
consumptionwas90percentofitstotalbuildingenergyconsumption.vOnlyChile,amongAPEC
economies,hasaresidentialcodeasitsonlyenergycode.Also,coderequirementstypicallyhave
differencesbetweenlowrisecommercial,multifamilyhousing,publicandprivate,andthetypeof
commercialuse,soitisimportanttoassesstheconstructionmarketinordertotargetenergy
conservationeffortswheretheycanhavethegreatestimpact.

ResponsivetoClimateConditions
WefoundthatalloftheAPECeconomieswithenergycodesinplace,anddifferentclimateswithintheir
borders,appeartorecognizetheneedfordifferencesinefficiencyrequirements.Japanwasthe
puzzlingexceptionadjustingforsixclimatezonesfortheirresidentialenergycodebutnoneforthe
commercialcode.Whiletheclimatezonedelineationappearsappropriate,itmaybethatcommercial
constructionismoregeographicallyconcentrated.

Chinahasdevelopedenergycodesforitsdifferentclimatezonesoverthelast15years:theRegional
ResidentialDesignStandardsforseverecold/coldzones(1995),theversionforhotsummer/coldwinter
(2001),andhotsummer/warmwinter(2005).Thesecodescovertheentireeconomyexceptforthe
temperatezone,asmallsoutheastregionoftheeconomy.Therearealsoalonglistofotherstandards
thatrelatetoenergyefficiencyincludingtheadesignstandardforpublicbuildings(2005)andstandards
forlightingdesigninbuildings(2004),residentialrenovation(2001inheatingzones),groundsourceheat
pumpsystems(2005),solarwaterheatingsystemsincivilbuildings(2006),energyconsumptionsurveys
incivilbuildings(2007),andenergyefficiencyinspectionsofbuildings(2007).vi

TheUnitedStatesaddresses8climatezonesintheresidentialandcommercialenergycodes.Climatic
differencesarecontainedtogetherwithintheprescriptiverequirements,andupdatedtogether.While
thisprocessdoesnotgiveoneregionpriorityoveranother,theefficiencyofthecode,overall,doesnot
increaseefficiencyuniformlyacrosstheclimatezones.

EnforcementPoliciesandPractices
Tounderstandhowwellenergycodesareimplemented,therateorfrequencyofcomplianceisuseful
datatoanalyze.However,compliancedataisnoteasytofindanditisoftenbasedonselfreportingor
ondesignreviewsratherthansiteinspectionsduringconstruction.Asaproxyforcompliancerates,we
assumethatcompliancedoesnotfullyoccurwithoutadequateenforcement.IntheUnitedStates,
buildingprofessionalsreportedthatstrongenforcementwasinfactamotivationforcodecompliance.vii

v
CountryReportonBuildingEnergyCodesinChina,PacificNorthwestNationalLaboratory,2009.
vi
CountryReportonBuildingEnergyCodesinChina,PacificNorthwestNationalLaboratory,2009.
vii
CommercialBuildingEnergyCodesUsabilityandComplianceMethods,BuildingCodesAssistanceProject,
2008.

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December2009 BuildingEnergyCodesBestPracticesReportforAPECEconomies

Thefollowingarebestpracticesthathavebeenidentifiedassignificantelementsofenforcementthat
leadtocompliance.viii

BestPractices:

Mandatorycompliance
Thoroughenforcementprocedures
Penaltiesforlackofcompliance
Trackedcompliancerates

MandatoryCompliance
StrengtheningpolicytorequireenergycodecomplianceisaclearopportunityforsomeAPECeconomies
toincreaseenergysavingsinthebuildingsector.Avoluntarycodeismuchlikeavoluntaryprogram,
withoutfinancialincentives,recognition,oranyoftheothertypicalelementsfoundintheseprograms.
Theintentofcodestosetaminimumbaselinefornewconstructionalsoimpliesthatthelevelof
efficiencyissuchthatitisinthebestinterestofallcitizens.Nevertheless,wehaveclassifiedseveral
APECeconomiesashavingvoluntarycodes:Canada;HongKong,China;Indonesia;Malaysia;Philippines;
andtheUnitedStates(residential).

ItisinterestingtotakeacloserlookattheUnitedStatesinthiscategoryandwhatthegovernmenthas
donetoworkwithinstronglocalgovernmentconstraints.TheUSlawrequiresthatstatesadoptthe
equivalentofthemostrecentcommercialenergycode,whereastheresidentialcodemustonlybe
evaluatedandcanbedeemedinappropriatebyastate.ixHowever,thescopeofstategovernmentinthe
economyisstrongandseveraldonotadoptcodes,passingtheresponsibilityontotheircities,while
othersestablishcodesasvoluntary.Atthesametime,itsimportanttonotethatafewstatesexceed
thenationalmodelcodesandarehighlyinnovative.ThesituationischangingquicklyintheUnited
Statesasnationalpolicyhasbeenproposedtotightenthefreedomofstatesbymandatingadoptionof
codesforbothsectorsandimposingatimeframe.Thegovernmenthasalsolinkedeconomicrecovery
fundingtothestatestotheiradoption,anddemonstratedcompliance,withenergycodes.xStatesthat
previouslysidesteppedtheissueofcodeadoptionarenowclosetostatewideadoptionforthefirst
time.xi

ThoroughEnforcementProcedures
Thereisnotagreatdealofreadilyavailableinformationthatevaluatestheeffectivenessof
enforcementproceduresacrosstheAPECeconomies.Ingeneral,codecomplianceisviewedasaserious
problem.TheWorldBankheldatwodayworkshopinDecember2009onenergycodecompliancein

viii
PresentedbyBCAPattheWorldBankworkshop,MainstreamingBuildingEnergyEfficiencyCodesinDeveloping
Countries
ix
EPAct1992,UnitedStatespolicy
x
TheAmericanRecoveryandReinvestmentAct,2009.
xi
TheUSstatesofAlabama,Wyoming,Montana,andMissouriallhaveeffortsunderwaytoadopttheirfirstenergy
codes.

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December2009 BuildingEnergyCodesBestPracticesReportforAPECEconomies

developingcountries.Butthewordfromdevelopedcountrieswasthattheyalsoneededtomake
significantimprovements.

Therearemanystrategiestoenforcement,butalsosomeessentialelements.Areviewofthedesign
planstocheckforcodecompliancecatchesproblemsbeforeconstructionandcanfacilitatelowcost
fixes.Additionalsiteinspectionsduringconstructionareessentialtocheckingonthequalityof
installationandtheaccuracyoffollowingthroughondesigndetailsimportanttoefficiencyandthecode
requirements.Thedetailneededduringplanreviewandsiteinspectionsrequirethatthereareavailable
andknowledgeableinspectorsavailableforsuchwork.Codeinspectors,orbuildingofficials,needtobe
trainedonenergycoderequirementsandhowtoinspectforcompliance.

Inadditiontoinspectorswhoknowhowtoinspectforefficiency,thebuildingsectormustalsoknow
howtodemonstratecompliance.Clearlydefinedpolicies/toolsfordemonstratingcodecomplianceare
essential.InCanada,specificationsforsoftwaretouseinshowingcompliancearesetforthwithinthe
codeitself.xiiChinahasaseparatedocument,theCodeforAcceptanceofEnergyEfficientBuilding
Construction,whichwasreleasedbytheMinistryofHousingandUrbanRuralDevelopmentin2007.
Thecodeincludesconstructionqualityandacceptancerequirementsforthebuildingenvelope,water
heating,HVACsystems,lighting,monitoringandcontrols;itappliestonewconstructionandexisting
buildingadditionsandretrofits.xiiiIntheUnitedStates,theDepartmentofEnergyreleasesnewversions
ofresidentialandcommercialcompliancesoftwaretocoincidewithupdatestothecodes.Theseare
usedtodemonstratecompliancewithprescriptivestandardsandcanbemandatedforusebythestates
orusedasonavoluntarybasis.xiv

TheDepartmentofMechanicalEngineeringoftheNationalUniversityofSingapore,incollaboration
withtheBuildingandConstructionAuthority(BCA),createdamodelingtoolcalledtheBuildingEnergy
Standards(BEST).xvThismodelingtoolwasdesignedforprofessionalsinthebuildingsectorto
demonstratecompliancewithprescribedenergystandards.xvi

BESTiscapableofthefollowing:

Calculationoftheenvelopethermaltransfervalue(ETTV)andtheroofthermaltransfervalue
(RTTV)forprescriptivestandardcompliance.
Estimationoftheannualenergyconsumptionofbuildings.

xii
CountryReportonBuildingEnergyCodesinChina,PacificNorthwestNationalLaboratory,2009.
xiii
CountryReportonBuildingEnergyCodesinChina,PacificNorthwestNationalLaboratory,2009.
xiv
REScheckandCOMcheck:availableathttp://www.energycodes.gov
xv
Chou,S.K.2001.EnergyEfficiencyinBuildingDesignBuildingEnergyStandards,paperpresentedatthe
SeminaronEnergyEfficiencyinBuildingDesign,organizedbytheBuildingandConstructionAuthority(BCA)of
Singapore,April2001,Singapore.
http://www.bdg.nus.edu.sg/BuildingEnergy/publication/papers/Paper2.html
xvi
Chou,S.K.2001.EnergyEfficiencyinBuildingDesignBuildingEnergyStandards,paperpresentedatthe
SeminaronEnergyEfficiencyinBuildingDesign,organizedbytheBuildingandConstructionAuthority(BCA)of
Singapore,April2001,Singapore.
http://www.bdg.nus.edu.sg/BuildingEnergy/publication/papers/Paper2.html

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December2009 BuildingEnergyCodesBestPracticesReportforAPECEconomies

Estimation of the peak design loads for airconditioning equipment sizing and zone thermal
comfortdesign.
Calculationofthebuildingslightingpowerallowanceandreceptaclepowerdensityusinguser
defineddesignvalues.
Predictionofeffectsofmultiparametricchangesontheenergyuseofbuildings.
Selectionofenergysavingoptionstoreduceannualenergyconsumptionofbuildings.xvii

SingaporealsohasavailableadescriptionofcompliancemethodsinthevariousCodesofPracticexviii
handbooks.Forrecentamendments,theCommissioneroftheBCApromptlyreleasesAcceptable
Solutionsxix.Thisliststheobjectivesofeachregulationandhowitcanbeachievedusinganacceptable
solution,whichenablesthedesigncommunitytobefreelyinnovative.xx

PenaltiesforLackofCompliance
SeveralAPECeconomiesimposepenaltiesfornoncompliancewithbuildingenergycodes.InCanada,
wheretheresponsibilityofadoptionandenforcementisgiventoprovincesandterritories,penaltiesfor
notcomplyingwiththeenergycodecanincludestoppingconstruction,andwithholdingpermits,and
levyingfines.xxiTheBuildingConstructionAuthorityinSingaporeoperatesundertheMinistryof
NationalDevelopmentandisaccountableforbuildingregulationenforcement.Noncompliancewith
theBuildingControlActandsubsequentregulationsresultsinasignificantpenaltyanindividualis
foundtobeguiltyofanoffenseandcanbefined(notmorethan$20,000Singaporean)orimprisoned
foruptosixmonths.xxiiContinuingfailuretocomplymayresultinadditionalfines(notexceedingS$500
foreachday).xxiii

Trackedcompliancerates
Unlesscodecomplianceismeasured,itisdifficulttomakeimprovements,understandwheregapsexist
ineducation,andaccountforrelatedenergysavings.Therearenotmanyexamplesonmethodsfor
trackingcompliancebutafewapproachesarehighlightedbelow.

InChina,asinmanylargecountries,localgovernmentshavetheresponsibilityforadoptingnational
codes.Citygovernmentsareinchargeofenforcingtherequirementfordesignsreviewsandsite
inspections.Since2005,thesemustbecarriedoutbyacertifiedindependentorganization.Ifthis

xvii
Chou,S.K.2001
xviii
CodesofPracticeareavailableon:EnvelopeThermalPerformanceforBuildings,EnergyEfficiencyStandardfor
BuildingServicesandEquipment,MechanicalVentilationandAirConditioninginBuildings,ArtificialLightingin
Buildings,LightingofWorkPlacesIndoor,StructuralUseofConcrete,forFoundations,StructuraluseofTimber,
etc.
xix
ReleasedinMay2009,thisAcceptableSolutionsfocusesontheFifthScheduleoftheBuildingControlActof
http://www.bca.gov.sg/Publications/BuildingControlAct/others/Approveddoc.pdf
xx
Leng,OngChan2002.BuildingControlSingaporeExperience,speakerattheAsianForumConference,
Singapore2002.
http://www.asianforum.net/conference/ppt/172002PPTSingaporeOD0A.pdf
xxi
CountryReportonBuildingEnergyCodesinCanada,PacificNorthwestNationalLaboratory,2009.
xxii
BuildingandConstructionAuthority,BuildingControlAct1989
http://www.bca.gov.sg/BuildingControlAct/building_control_act.html#946439071000193
xxiii
BuildingandConstructionAuthority,BuildingControlAct1989

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December2009 BuildingEnergyCodesBestPracticesReportforAPECEconomies

processisnotcompliedwith,constructionwillbepreventedorsuspended,ifalreadystarted.Ifthe
buildingiscompleteandoutofcompliance,itwillnotbeallowedtobesoldorused.

CitygovernmentsmustprovidereportstotheprovincialbranchesoftheMinistryofHousingandUrban
RuralDevelopment(MOHURD).MOHURDconductsannualcomplianceinspectionsurveysofbuilding
energyefficiency,sendingsurveyteamsouttothecities.In2008,teamswentto55largecities.They
reviewacompleteinventoryofbuildingprojectssubmittedduringthepastyearandrandomlyselect12.
Ofthese,halfoftheprojectsreceivereviewsoftheirdesigndrawings,andtheotherhalfreceivessite
inspections.Anycomplianceviolationsaresenttotheappropriateprojectsfailinginspection,and
constructionadministrationdepartmentsarealsoscoredhightolowusingthisinformation.xxiv

UnderJapansEnergyConservationLaw(2005),amandatoryreportisrequiredtobesubmittedon
energyconservationtolocalauthoritiesonallnewconstruction,additions,alterations,majorrepairs,
andremodelingforhomesandbuildingsover2,000squaremeters.Penaltiesareincurrediftheproject
isnotcompliant;however,theprocessdoesnotinvolvesiteinspections.Thesubmissionrateis
reportedtobe100%bytheMinistryofLand,Infrastructure,andTransportandcomplianceisreported
tohavegoneupbetween2000and2005.xxv

InKorea,buildingownersmustsubmitanenergysavingworksheetsignedbyalicensedprofessional,
suchasarchitectsandmechanicalandelectricalengineers,forapproval.Thisofficehastheoptionto
auditthebuildingsafterconstructionandrevokethepermitororderthebuildingtoberebuiltif
elementsoftheenergysavingworksheethavenotbeenimplemented.xxvi

CodeImplementationSupport

Alongwithtechnicalrequirements,orstringency,oftheenergycodeanditsenforcementpolicies,the
third factor important to effective energy codes is implementation. This area captures programs and
activities that provide education and training, policies that provide a framework for improving the
energyefficiencyofbuildings,andprogramsthatdevelopandtestnewpracticestoachieveefficiency.
Among APEC economies, there are many impressive examples of comprehensive building programs
aimedatimprovingenergyefficiency.Therewasmuchlessactivityapparentintheareaoftrainingand
certification requirements specific to energy codes. This appears to be a significant gap and area for
improvement.

BestPractice:

CodeTrainingandCertification
Voluntaryhighperformanceincentiveprograms

xxiv
CountryReportonBuildingEnergyCodesinChina,PacificNorthwestNationalLaboratory,2009.
xxv
CountryReportonBuildingEnergyCodesinJapan,PacificNorthwestNationalLaboratory,2009.
xxvi
CountryReportonBuildingEnergyCodesinKorea,PacificNorthwestNationalLaboratory,2009.

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December2009 BuildingEnergyCodesBestPracticesReportforAPECEconomies

CodeTrainingandCertification
Therearenoexamplesfoundtodemonstraterequiredtrainingorcertificationontheenergycodefor
buildingofficialsorbuildersanddesignprofessionals.However,theredoesappeartobetraining
availableinmanycountries.InJapan,theInstituteforBuildingEnvironmentandEnergyConservationis
veryactiveinprovidingtrainingseminarsandresourcestosupporttheEnergyConservationLaw.
Seminarsincludetrainingonbuildingdesign,constructiontechniques,insulationrequirements,and
calculatingenergyefficiency.xxviiIntheUnitedStates,thereareexamplesofstatesponsoredcode
trainingprogramsforcodeofficials,builders,designers,andengineers.Theirfrequencyandscopevary
anddependonthespecificstate.

VoluntaryHighPerformanceIncentivePrograms
AmongthemanyvoluntaryprogramsofferedinAPECeconomies,ChinaandKoreaeachhaveelements
totheirprogramsthataddressdifferentopportunitiesandstrategies.Inaddition,NewZealandand
Singaporeofferimpressivecomprehensiveprograms.Thissectionisorganizedtohighlightthebest
practicesobservedwithinthesevoluntaryprograms.

Goalstoreduceenergyconsumption.ChinasNationalDevelopmentandReformCommissionissued
theChinaMediumandLongTermEnergyConservationPlan(2004)tosetlongtermgoalsforreducing
energyuseinnewbuildings.The2010goalforallcitiesistoreduceenergyuseinnewconstructionby
50percent,andby65percentbytheendof2020.Theplanalsosets2010goalsforexistingresidential
andpublicbuildings:forlargecities,25percentofexistingresidentialandpublicbuildingswillbe
retrofittedtobegreener,15percentinmediumcities,and10percentinsmallcities.Theplan
additionallyhasagoalofpoweringover80millionsquarefeetofbuildingspacewithrenewable
energy.xxviii

Incentives.KoreasRelaxedZoningRestrictionsonBuildingSizestatesthatifabuildingisconstructedto
exceedrequiredbuildingstandards,itcansurpassallowablezoningrestrictionsallowed.Thisprovidesa
significantincentivetoimproveenergyefficiency.Koreaalsohasitsownvoluntaryratingsystemand
highratingbuildingsareeligibleforfinancialincentives.Afurtherincentiveisthatthecompliancewith
theratingsystemprovidesanexemptionfromthegovernmentsmandatoryenergyaudits(conducted
every5yearsofbuildingswithannualenergyuseover2thousandtonsofoilequivalent(ktoe)).A
samplingofbuildingsbetween2003and2005showedabouthalfthebuildingsincompliance.

ComprehensiveprogramsNewZealand
ENERGYWISE
ThegovernmentsEnergyEfficiencyandConservationAuthorityrunsENERGYWISE,apubliceducation
programandclearinghouseforinformationonresidentialenergysavingstrategies.Theprogram
functionswiththesupportofsuppliers,installers,manufacturers,andretailersandoffersinformation

xxvii
CountryReportonBuildingEnergyCodesinJapan,PacificNorthwestNationalLaboratory,2009.
xxviii
CountryReportonBuildingEnergyCodesinChina,PacificNorthwestNationalLaboratory,2009.

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December2009 BuildingEnergyCodesBestPracticesReportforAPECEconomies

onproductrebates,drivingtips,applianceratingandlabeling,andfundingopportunitiesforefficient
equipmentsuchassolarheatpumps.

Residentiale&GreenStar.
InterestfreeloansareavailableforparticipantsinResidentialeacomprehensive,national,voluntary
environmentalratingschemethatevaluatestheenvironmentalattributesandperformanceofNew
Zealandsbuildingsusingasuiteofratingtoolkitsdevelopedtobeapplicabletoeachbuildingtypeand
function.xxixTheNewZealandGreenBuildingCouncil(NZGBC)hasalsodevelopedaratingscheme
calledGreenStarinpartnershipwiththebuildingindustry,whichisaparallelprogramforcommercial
buildings.Itusesasuiteofratingtoolkitswhichareapplicabletodifferentbuildingtypesand
functions.xxx

HERs
TheHomeEnergyRating(HERs)programfocusesoncosteffectiveretrofitstoimproveefficiencyand
comfort.Ahomeenergyratingisanassessmentoftheenergyefficiencyperformanceofahomeand
examineshowthebuilding'sdesign,materials,constructionandorientationaffectcomfortand
efficiency.xxxiAqualifiedassessorxxxiievaluatesthehomeandthengeneratesareportcontainingstar
ratingsfromzerototenshowingthehomesenergyperformance.xxxiiiTheassessoroffershomeowners
professionalrecommendationsonthemostappropriateactionstoimprovethehome'srating.HERsisa
jointactivityamongtheEnergyEfficiencyandConservationAuthority(EECA),theMinistryforthe
Environment,andtheDepartmentofBuildingandHousing.

ComprehensiveprogramsSingapore
BEEMP
SingaporesBuildingandConstructionAuthority(BCA)establishedtheBuildingEnergyEfficiencyMaster
Plan(BEEMP)in1998toaddressconcernsoverincreasingenergyconsumption.xxxivSpecifically,BEEMP
ismadeupofsixprogramswhichinvolve1)reviewingenergyefficiencystandards,2)updatingenergy
efficiencystandards,3)conductingenergyaudits,4)encouragingperformancecontracting,5)creating

xxix
NewZealandGreenBuildingCouncil.GreenStarNewZealandhttp://www.nzgbc.org.nz/main/greenstar
xxx
NewZealandGreenBuildingCouncil.GreenStarNewZealand
xxxi
NewZealandEnergyEfficiencyandConservationAuthority.EnergyWiseWebsite
http://energywise.govt.nz/ratingsandlabels/homeenergyratings
xxxii
AssessorsuseacomputermodelingtoolcalledAccuRateNZtogenerateaccurateandcomparativeratings
acrossNewZealand.OriginallydevelopedbyAustralia'sCommonwealthScientificandIndustrialResearch
Organization(CSIRO),AccuRateNZisasophisticatedtoolthatallowstheassessortomodeltheenergyefficiency
performanceofahome.
xxxiii
NewZealandEnergyEfficiencyandConservationAuthority.ProgrammesSection.
http://www.eeca.govt.nz/eecaprogrammesandfunding/programmes/homes/homeenergyratings
xxxiv
NationalUniversityofSingapore.CentreforTotalBuildingPerformance.BEEMPSection.
http://www.bdg.nus.edu.sg/BuildingEnergy/energy_masterplan/index.html

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December2009 BuildingEnergyCodesBestPracticesReportforAPECEconomies

buildingperformancebenchmarks,and6)greatercollaborationwiththeNationalUniversityof
Singapore(NUS)andNanyangTechnicalUniversity(NTU)xxxvinfavorofresearchanddevelopment.xxxvi

EnergySmart
EnergySmartisabuildingefficiencybenchmarkingandawardsystemforcommercialofficebuildings,
hotelbuildings,andfactories.BuildingsinthesecategoriesmaysubmitanapplicationfortheEnergy
SmartLabelawardwhichpromotesenergyefficiencyandresourceconservationbyannuallyrecognizing
thehighestperformingbuildingineachcategory.Tobeeligible,buildingsmustbeinthetoptwentyfive
percentileintermsofenergyefficiencyfortheirrespectivebuildingstock.Airquality,thermalcomfort,
ventilation,andlightinglevelsarealsoevaluationconsiderations.xxxviiChampionsareinductedintoa
distinctivegroup,currentlyatfifteen,ofcelebratedandrenownedbuildings.xxxviiiTheprogramwas
developedbytheNationalEnvironmentAgency(NEA)alongwiththeEnergySustainabilityUnit(ESU),a
branchofNUS.

BestPracticeSummary&Recommendations

APEC Economy Best Practices Opportunities

Australia Recent mandatory codes
throughout the economy;
economy framework for energy
efficiency
Brunei Darussalam Well-developed construction and
permitting process in place
Canada Current update activity; green
program leading the market
forward
Chile Recent mandatory residential
codes throughout the economy,
economy climate action plan
China Updated economy policy on
energy codes, green building
evaluation standard
Hong Kong, China Voluntary green rating system,
Greenhouse Gas Reporting and
Removal Building Program
Indonesia Policies - plan for energy
conservation and separate law
on energy
Establish a regular code update
process
Adopt commercial and residential
codes
Adopt policies to strengthen
provincial adoption
Expand scope of residential
code; add commercial
requirements
Expand scope of residential and
commercial codes to capture
whole-building opportunities
Move away from voluntary
standards to mandatory codes
Work with others to update
requirements for climate zone;
add residential requirements;
mandate compliance

xxxv
In1980,theNationalUniversityofSingaporewasestablishedbyamergeroftwopredecessorinstitutions:
UniversityofSingaporeandNanyangTechnicalUniversity(NTU),however,theycontinuetobelisteddistinctively
foreasierreferencetobenefitthoseinthebuildingssector.
xxxvi
(asabove)
xxxvii 2
E Singapore.AboutEnergySmartBuildingLabellingProgramme.
http://www.e2singapore.gov.sg/buildings/energysmartbuildinglabel.html
xxxviii 2
E Singapore

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December2009 BuildingEnergyCodesBestPracticesReportforAPECEconomies
Japan Policies on energy, incentives for
efficiency homes and
businesses, green building rating
system
Korea Recent mandatory codes
throughout the economy,
mandatory building design
criteria (BDCES), economy
energy policy, tax incentives for
efficient homes and businesses,
green building certification
Malaysia Building energy benchmarking
program
standards to mandatory codes
Mexico Green mortgage program, green
building rating system
New Zealand Recent mandatory codes
throughout the economy;
economy energy efficiency and
conservation strategy
Papua New Guinea Existing department overseeing
construction permits
Peru Law promoting energy efficiency
Philippines Economy energy efficiency and
conservation plan, green
recognition program
Russia Long-term economy energy
strategy
Singapore Recent mandatory codes
throughout the economy,
economy climate strategy, green
building programs
Chinese Taipei Recent mandatory residential
codes throughout the economy
long-term goals for energy
efficiency; green building rating
system
Thailand Mandatory energy efficiency
measures for businesses, broad
energy conservation program
United States Updated model codes, many
green and high-performance
voluntary programs
Viet Nam Economy energy conservation
program
Update
Establish a regular code update
process
Work with others to update
requirements for climate zone;
move away from voluntary
Expand scope of commercial
code; add residential
requirements
Establish a regular code update
process
Adopt commercial and residential
codes
Adopt commercial and residential
codes
Expand scope of codes to
capture whole-building
opportunities; move away from
voluntary standards to mandatory
codes
Update; expand scope of
residential and commercial codes
to capture whole-building
opportunities
Establish a regular code update
process
Expand scope of codes to
capture whole-building
opportunities
Work with others to update
requirements for climate zone;
add residential requirements;
expand scope of commercial
code to capture whole-building
opportunities
Adopt policies to require state
adoption of codes
Update commercial code; add
residential requirements; expand
17
December2009 BuildingEnergyCodesBestPracticesReportforAPECEconomies

scope of commercial code to

capture whole-building
opportunities

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December2009 BuildingEnergyCodesBestPracticesReportforAPECEconomies

CodeReferenceList
AUSTRALIA BuildingCodeofAustralia(2009)

CANADA ModelNationalEnergyCodeforBuildings(1997)
ModelNationalEnergyCodeforHomes(1997)

CHINA DesignStandardforEnergyEfficiencyinResidentialBuildingsinHSCW(2001;
undergoing2008update)
EnergyConservationDesignStandardforResidentialBuildingsinHeatingZones(1995,
with2008updates)
DesignStandardforEnergyEfficiencyinResidentialBuildingsinHSWW(2003)
StandardforLightingDesigninBuildings(2004)

CHILE ChileResidentialBuildingCode,Article4.1.10(2007)

HONGKONG,
CHINA HongKongEnergyRegistrationSchemeforBuildings(2007)

INDONESIA IndonesiaCommercialBuildingEnergyCode(1992)

JAPAN EnergyConservationLaw(2008)
CriteriaforClientsontheRationalizationofEnergyUseforBuildings(1999)CCREB
(insulation,HVAC,lighting,waterheating)
DesignandConstructionGuidelinesontheRationalizationofEnergyUseforHouses
(1999)insulation,HVAC,waterheating,guidanceonO&MDCGREUH

KOREA KoreaBuildingDesignCriteriaforSavingEnergy(2008)

MALAYSIA MalaysiaGuidelinesforEnergyEfficiencyinBuildings(1989)

MEXICO MexicoThermalInsulationStandard,NOM018ENER(1997)

NEW
ZEALAND NewZealandDepartmentofBuildingandHousingsBuildingAct(2004)

PHILIPPINES PhilippinesNationalBuildingCode(2005)

RUSSIA RussiaThermalPerformanceofBuildings(2003)

SINGAPORE CodeonEnvironmentalSustainabilityofBuildings(2008)

CHINESE
TAIPEI NonResidentialEnergyEfficiencyStandard(1995)

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December2009 BuildingEnergyCodesBestPracticesReportforAPECEconomies

UNITED
STATES InternationalEnergyConservationCode(2009);
ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNAStandard90.12007

VIETNAM VietNamEnergyEfficiencyCommercialCode(2005)

20