The Value and Impact of Building Codes

This research paper by Ellen Vaughan and Jim Turner argues that mandatory, minimum building codes are the most effective and least expensive method to protect public health, safety, and the environment. The authors advocate for the adoption and enforcement of current model codes—specifically those updated every three years—to reduce energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and vulnerability to natural disasters while stimulating economic innovation in the building sector.

• Building codes are critical because many performance aspects are 'designed in' at the start and are too costly to change later; for example, foundations and building envelopes typically last 50 years or more.
• The U.S. building sector is a major driver of environmental impact, accounting for approximately 40% of total U.S. energy consumption and 40% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
• Updating model codes every three years is considered optimal to incorporate new technologies and materials; a six-year cycle is argued to be too long, as it would ignore half a generation of innovation and product development.
• The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that energy efficiency improvements in the 2009 and 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) pay for themselves within one to two years.
• Adopting current codes significantly reduces financial losses from natural disasters. For instance, losses from Hurricane Andrew would have been reduced by 50% for residential and 40% for commercial properties if Florida's 2004 statewide building code had been in place.
• A study by the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP) and ICF International found that new homebuyers in Illinois building to the 2012 IECC could save between $9,780 and $11,100 in net energy savings over the term of their mortgage.
• The 2012 IECC allows for the reduction of HVAC equipment size; in Climate Zone 4, cooling system capacity can be reduced from 61,500 kBtuh to 49,500 kBtuh, potentially saving approximately $815 per new house in first-costs.
• A 2012 survey of over 5,000 adults showed strong consumer support for energy codes: 82% of homeowners believe they have a right to a home meeting minimum energy efficiency standards, and 79% would pay slightly more for a new home to ensure affordable, predictable operating costs.
• The Safe Building Code Incentive Act (S. 905/S. 924 and H.R. 1878) proposes increasing federal disaster contributions by 4% if a state certifies it is actively enforcing a state building code consistent with the most recent nationally recognized model code adopted within six years.
• The International Code Council (ICC), founded in 1994 and consolidated in 2003, provides a family of 15 integrated model codes, including the International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), and International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

APA

Vaughan, E., & Turner, J. (2013). The Value and Impact of Building Codes. Environmental and Energy Study Institute. https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/the-value-and-impact-of-building-codes

Chicago

Vaughan, Ellen, and Jim Turner. The Value and Impact of Building Codes. Environmental and Energy Study Institute, 2013. https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/the-value-and-impact-of-building-codes.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Vaughan |first1=Ellen |last2=Turner |first2=Jim |title=The Value and Impact of Building Codes |publisher=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |date=30 September 2013 |url=https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/the-value-and-impact-of-building-codes |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{vaughan2013value, author = {Vaughan, Ellen and Turner, Jim}, title = {{The Value and Impact of Building Codes}}, institution = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, year = {2013}, month = sep, url = {https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/the-value-and-impact-of-building-codes}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }