There are many reasons to build Energy Star or Zero Energy Ready Homes: the 45L tax credit, utility rebates, market-leading differentiation, lower energy using builds, and certified quality construction. No matter where you are in the United States, you can take advantage of these incentives to increase the profitability of building an ES or ZERH certified project. Furthermore, there are some locations where getting the certifications are a no brainer due to local building codes. We’ll take a deeper look into how to consider this factor for your project.
Energy Star and Zero Energy Ready Homes both have an energy modeling component that compares a project’s energy efficiency to that of a reference home’s, based on a particular International Energy Conservation Code. For both ZERH and Energy Star version 3.2, the reference home’s efficiency uses 2021 IECC. Starting in 2025, version 3.2 will be mandatory for accessing the 45L credit (up to $5,000 per dwelling unit). While energy modeling is not the only requirement for meeting Energy Star, if your project is already building to 2021 IECC, then you are at least part way to – or already -qualifyingfor Energy Star.
The following cities, counties and states currently require 2021 IECC, and if your project is in these areas, consider an ES / ZERH certification for the 45L credit as well as additional benefits and incentives. If you have any questions for our experts, schedule a call!
City
- Austin, TX (stretch)
- Bonham, TX
- Breckenridge, TX
- Carrollton, TX
- Cave Creek, AZ
- Cedar Park, TX
- Chandler, AZ
- Chicago, IL
- Corinth, TX
- Cuero, TX
- Denver, CO
- Emory, TX
- Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
- Fort Collins, CO (stretch)
- Grand Prairie, TX
- Harker Heights, TX
- Helotes, TX
- Highland Park, TX
- Houston, TX
- Hunters Creek Village
- Huntsville, TX
- Kansas City, MO
- Keller, TX
- Killeen, TX
- Kyle, TX
- Lampasas, TX
- League City, TX
- Live Oak, TX
- Louisville, CO
- Pflugerville, TX
- Plano, TX
- Princeton, TX
- Scottsdale, AZ
- Selma, TX
- Uvalde, TX
- West University Place, TX
County
- Larimer County, CO
- Maui County, HI
State
- California (equivalent)
- Connecticut
- Illinois
- Louisiana
- Maine (stretch)
- Massachusetts (stretch)
- Maryland
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- Ohio
- Utah (Commercial)
- Vermont (equivalent)
- Virginia
- Washington (equivalent)
Many jurisdictions that have not yet adopted 2021 IECC or have adopted it as a stretch code, will enforce it in the near future. The state of Colorado will require all jurisdictions to adopt 2021 IECC by 2026. Other towns and counties have adopted more aggressive requirements that you must get certain certifications as part of their building codes. For example, Summit County, CO and the town of Crested Butte, CO require Zero Energy Ready Homes certification to get Certificate of Occupancy.
