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From my lighting column for the May issue of ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR, on the topic of 2015 IECC:
Last year, the International Code Council published the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), a model energy code that states and other jurisdictions can use in whole or part as their energy code. Today, many states base their commercial building energy code on the IECC.
The Department of Energy requires states to adopt a code at least as stringent as ASHRAE/IES 90.1 2013 by September 2016. Since the 2015 IECC would be equivalent, it will likely see significant adoption.
The 2015 IECC follows the 2012 version with more restrictive lighting-power allowances. The Building Area Method lighting-power allowances are roughly in alignment with the ASHRAE/IES 90.1 2013 energy standard. Power allowances were adjusted down from 0.9 watts per square foot (W/sq.ft.) to 0.82W/sq.ft. for offices, 1.4–1.26 for retail, 1.2–0.87 for schools/universities, and 1.0–0.9 for healthcare clinics. Warehouses saw an increase from 0.6–0.66W/sq.ft.
The most extensive changes in the IECC 2015 are in lighting controls. Consult the code and the authority having jurisdiction for specific requirements and interpretation related to your project.
Click here to read more and learn about specific lighting changes in the 2015 IECC.
