Just last month, new legislation was enacted that requires energy efficient standards for newly constructed homes. Governor Pat Quinn signed House Bill 3987 into law that has been recycled through the political system for the past several years.
Architects, homebuilders in the state and environmental groups all agreed on and were in support of the Energy Efficient Building Act (EFBA). The new law aligns the state with the most current International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) relative to new home construction, which is updated every three years.
Governor Quinn stated that it is important to commit to a mindset of “green” thinking and that the new legislation echoes that sentiment. The new home construction standards will lower carbon emissions in the state of Illinois, which is a positive step in the “green” direction.
Benefits for the environment will be significant. Up 53% from 1990 figures, carbon emissions in the electrical sector are quite substantial. A study published in 2007 by the United States Department of Energy noted that if the State of Illinois alone updated to the most recent IECC standards, carbon monoxide emissions would be reduced by 12.8 million tons by the year 2020.
Since the United States utilizes 10% of all energy expended throughout the world, Illinois will now be able to make a major contribution to reduce the tremendous burden placed on power plants in the state.
Environmental Illinois representative Brian Granahan stated that the new energy efficient standards are a win-win for the environment and the economy. He said that the new law will reduce the state’s contribution to global warming and benefit new homeowners by saving them money on energy expenses. Granahan applauded the governor for the new law and thanked him for his leadership in energy efficiency.
Some question the increased costs that the energy efficiency bill will require of home builders. All are for protecting the environment and lowering energy costs for homeowners. The concern is to what extent it will cost builders and developers to align with the new law.
Also, the expenses will have to be relayed on to the new home buyer, so the cost to buy new homes will increase. With new home construction in a current slump, how will the new energy efficiency bill impact the new home construction market? Only time will tell.
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