What do the new 2021 energy codes from the International Energy Conservation Code mean for our industry? Quite a lot actually. The energy efficiency of buildings is the main goal of these code changes, with the hope that the efficiency of all buildings (residential and commercial) will rise by about 10 percent. This is addressed by creating higher standards for thermal efficiency and increased insulation requirements.
One of the most impactful changes, in this author’s opinion, is the increased insulation requirements. On January 1, 2021, Canada and several U.S. states enacted stringent new environmental regulations to address concerns about high-Global Warming Potential hydrofluorocarbon blowing agents. Many insulation manufacturers will need to create innovative options that either completely eliminate this blowing agent or dramatically reduce it.