Maryland Fact Sheet

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- By implementing the 2009 IECC and Standard 90.1-
islation appropriating funds for a variety of state initia- 2007 statewide beginning in 2010, Maryland busi-
tives – allocated $3.1 billion for the U.S. Department of nesses and homeowners will save an estimated $86
Energy’s State Energy Program (SEP) to assist states with million annually by 2020 and an estimated $165 mil-
building energy efficiency projects. As one of the require- lion annually by 2030 in energy costs (based on 2006
ments to receive this funding, Gov. Martin O’Malley cer- energy prices).
tified to DOE1 that Maryland would implement energy
standards of equal or greater stringency than the latest Additionally, implementing the latest model codes will
national model codes – the 2009 edition of the IECC and help avoid roughly 15 trillion Btu of primary an-
Standard 90.1-2007. Having already received $23.8 mil- nual energy use by 2030 and annual emissions of
lion2 out of a total $53.6 million in SEP funds, Maryland about 1.1 million metric tons of CO2 by 2030.
has advanced the state’s best economic interest by
adopting the 2009 IECC and Standard 90.1-2007 (by ref- OTHER BENEFITS OF THE 2009 IECC
erence).
The successful implementation of – and compliance with
THE IMPACT OF THE NATIONAL MODEL CODES – the national model codes also produces multiple eco-
nomic and environmental benefits and gains for the
The 2009 IECC3 substantially improves upon the state’s building and utility industries:
previous code and makes it simpler to provide Maryland
households and businesses lower utility costs, increased New and renovated construction over 30 percent more
comfort, and better economic opportunity. A limited DOE energy efficient than typical buildings not constructed
analysis4 of the changes from states’ current residential to meet national model energy standards
standards to the 2009 IECC resulted in estimated en-
ergy savings ranging from 5-20 percent in most states Expansion of the state economy by keeping local dol-
for an average new house at recent fuel prices. Another lars in Maryland
DOE analysis5 of the changes from Maryland’s previous
commercial standards estimates energy savings of 4-6 Simplified guidelines for builders and designers, cost-
percent from Standard 90.1-2007. effectiveness optimization, and uniformity throughout
the state
According to models created by the Building Codes As-
sistance Project, Maryland is poised to make substantial Improved indoor/outdoor air quality and reduced
economic and environmental gains in the next two dec- greenhouse gas emissions from lower demand for elec-
ades by embracing building energy efficiency: tricity, natural gas, and heating oil
1850 M St. NW Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
www.bcap-ocean.org
MARYLAND: BEYOND THE MODEL ENERGY CODE
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.
The Chesapeake Bay at sunset. (Credit–Creative Commons) UNIFORM VOLUNTARY “STRETCH CODE”
M
aryland’s current energy code6 for resi-
In 2009, Massachusetts approved Appendix 120AA
dential and commercial construction – the
as an optional amendment to its mandatory state-
2010 Maryland Building Performance
wide building energy code.11 The appendix, which
Standards (MBPS) – incorporates the 2009 IECC
includes both residential and commercial code lan-
by reference and is mandatory statewide. It became
guage, is designed to be about 30 percent more
fully effective January 1, 2010. stringent than the 2006 IECC and ASHRAE Stan-
Per legislation passed in May 2009, the state Depart- dard 90.1-2004. This optional "stretch code" was
ment of Housing and Community Development developed in response to the call for improved local
(DHCD) must also develop and adopt a new edition building energy efficiency. Towns and cities may
of the MBPS within 12 months of the publication of adopt the appendix as a uniform alternative to the
each new IECC edition.7 When states regularly up- base energy efficiency requirements of the state
date and improve their energy codes, they ensure code, easing future transitions to strengthen the
the consistency and continued enhancement of the mandatory code.
benefits of model building practice.
MANDATORY GREEN BUILDING CODE
Adoption, however, is only the first step. The state
must now implement its new code. As another con- In January 2010, California adopted the nation’s
dition of accepting the Recovery Act SEP funds, first mandatory green building standards, known
states must achieve compliance with these new stan- as CALGreen.12 Effective in 2011, the new code
dards in 90 percent of new and renovated residential will require all new buildings to reduce indoor water
and commercial building space by 2017.8 use by 20 percent and divert 50 percent of construc-
Additionally, Maryland should consider following tion waste from landfills. CALGreen also mandates
the example of other states that are proven leaders in inspections of energy systems for large nonresiden-
energy efficiency by continuing to develop and tial buildings and the use of low-pollutant emitting
adopt innovative policies that go beyond the na- interior finish materials such as paints, carpet, vinyl
tional model codes. flooring, and particle board.
** NOTES ** For more information, please visit www.bcap-ocean.org
1 7
US DOE (http://www.energy.gov/media/OMalley_Maryland.pdf) BCAP (http://bcap-energy.org/node/414)
2 8
US DOE (http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=225) American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Sec. 410 (2) (c)
3 9
BCAP (http://bcap-energy.org/node/330) IMT (http://www.green.dc.gov/green/lib/green/pdfs/Green_b-codes.pdf)
4 10
US DOE (http://www.energycodes.gov/implement/state_codes/reports/ EECC (http://www.thirtypercentsolution.org)
12
IECC2009_Residential_Nationwide_Analysis.pdf) MA BBRS (http://bcap-energy.org/node/418)
5 12
US DOE (http://www.energycodes.gov/implement/state_codes/reports/commercial/ CA BSC (http://bcap-ocean.org/news/2010/january/21/california-adopts-nations-first
Commercial_Maryland.pdf) -mandatory-green-building-standards)
6
BCAP (http://bcap-ocean.org/state-country/maryland)
1850 M St. NW Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
www.bcap-ocean.org

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BUILDING CODES

& ENERGY EFFICIENCY:

In February 2009, the American Recovery and Rein-

In 2008, in coordination with the D.C. Green Build-

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