Updating the Methodology for Assessing Building Energy Code Affordability
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Opens a public consultation on how the Department of Energy measures the costs and savings of building energy codes for homes and commercial buildings. DOE is asking whether its current methods properly reflect real construction costs, regional differences, utility bills, payback periods, mortgage impacts, and other affordability concerns. This does not change building code requirements now. It gives builders, developers, utilities, manufacturers, state and local code officials, businesses, and consumer groups a chance to shape how DOE evaluates future energy code updates. Written comments are due by August 3, 2026.
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Key Changes
- DOE is asking for public input on how it calculates the costs, savings, and affordability impacts of building energy codes.
- The notice highlights possible updates such as better consumer cost data, regional cost adjustments, new building prototypes, and new affordability metrics.
- Interested parties can submit written comments by August 3, 2026, and DOE may hold stakeholder workshops during the comment period.
Obligations
What this law requires
Any person choosing to submit written comments or information to DOE on this RFI must submit them by the requested comment deadline and identify the submission with docket number EERE-2026-BT-BC-0034.
Email comment submissions must include docket number EERE-2026-BT-BC-0034 in the subject line and be sent to [email protected].
Comments submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal must be submitted at www.regulations.gov in accordance with that portal’s submission instructions for docket EERE-2026-BT-BC-0034.
Commenters must not submit comments by fax, because DOE states that telefacsimiles will not be accepted for this RFI.