An alliance of energy-efficiency advocates wants our homes to be more efficient. 

The Energy Efficient Codes Coalition (EECC), an alliance of energy efficiency advocates, has adopted the goal of a 30-percent improvement in residential energy efficiency, to be part of the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) published by the International Code Council (ICC). 

The ICC develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt codes choose the international codes developed by the ICC.

The EECC says the “Thirty Percent Solution” would set more aggressive standards in every part of the house, including space heating and cooling, thermal envelope, air sealing, hot water heating and lighting. The ICC will decide on the proposal in Minneapolis in September.

Energy efficiency is still the most cost-effective way to reduce the effects of global warming, states a 2008 California report on “Technologies and Policies to Consider for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions,” released earlier this year by the state’s Economic and Technology Advancement Advisory Committee.

The report says the state must cut CO2 emissions from the current level of 14 tons per person to 10 tons per person by 2020. The report also says that utility-funded programs to help small businesses save energy can reduce greenhouse gases as well.

Steven Castle - Contributing Writer

Steven Castle is Electronic House's managing editor. he has been writing about consumer electronics, homes and energy efficiency topics for two decades. He is also the co-founder of GreenTech Advocates.