Opinion | Updating building energy codes will save Michigan families money

Michigan's climate is becoming more extreme and increasingly unpredictable.

Power outages and damage after storms are frequent, and extreme temperatures mean surging utility bills to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. These expenses are costing Michigan families money that many have not budgeted for or simply do not have to spare. 

However, there are some key measures we can take to improve Michigan’s building stock so that new homes and other buildings are more resilient in the face of storms and unusual temperatures. First, Michigan’s current building codes are frightfully out of date, and the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs is considering adopting the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

This new code develops minimum efficiency standards for new construction, covering components such as walls, floors, ceilings, lighting, windows and leakages. At least seven other states have already adopted the IECC’s 2021 standards, and Michigan shouldn’t delay any longer. By adopting the 2021 IECC, we can keep our new homes cooler in summer and warmer in winter, lowering energy bills around the state.

Our building energy codes haven’t been updated since 2015 – around the same time as the iPhone 6's debut. While both were state-of-the-art at the time, our smartphone technology has improved by leaps and bounds while our energy code still has the equivalent of a manual home button.

We need to catch up with new technology available to us, incorporating it based on the way Michigan households’  electrical usage has evolved and increased. If adopted, Michigan home builders will need to adhere to the 2021 IECC requirements as they construct new homes and other buildings. 

What’s more, updating these codes to be as energy efficient as possible is not only good for our planet – it’s good for our pocketbooks, too. 

With buildings consuming — and losing — 40% of all energy produced, utility ratepayers stand to save money as a result of code updates. In fact, the average Michigan household could save $327 on utility bills per year in a home using the 2021 IECC standard, according to a U.S. Department of Energy analysis. Building owners could save up to $63 annually for each 1,000 square feet of commercial space.  

Michiganders want to live in homes that will maximize efficiency and maximize their savings — homes outfitted with electric vehicle chargers, rooftop solar panels, electric appliances and battery storage. In addition to adopting the 2021 IECC code, our great state needs new, affordable homes that are ready to take advantage of the many new technologies that are now available. 

While adopting the 2021 IECC reduces strain on the electricity grid by strengthening building envelopes — the physical outer shell of a building — updating Michigan’s building code to include the newest available technology works to enhance overall building resilience and reduce pollution. As Michigan faces increasingly extreme and frequent weather events, both are more critical than ever.

We urge Michigan policymakers to advance our clean energy future by embracing the 2021 IECC and upgrading our building energy codes today.