Detailed Stringency Analysis of Suggested Amendments to Chapter 11 of the 2015 IRC and the 2015 IECC that were Submitted to the Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) during March 30-April 30, 2014 Comment Period

Abstract

In 2007, the 80th legislature mandated the Energy Systems Laboratory (Laboratory) to take part in Texas rule-making process. As detailed in the Health and Safety Code, Chapter 388, Texas Building Energy Performance Standards, Sec. 388.003 (b-1), the Laboratory is required to submit written recommendations to the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) on whether the energy efficiency provisions of the latest published editions of the International Residential Code (IRC) or the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) for residential or commercial energy efficiency and air quality are equivalent to or more stringent than the provisions of editions previously adopted as the Texas Building Energy Performance Standards (TBEPS). As according to the Health and Safety Code, Section 388.003 (b-3), the Laboratory is also mandated to consider all the comments collected by SECO from persons who have an interest in the adoption of energy codes on the new code editions.