Following the Oil Embargo of 1973 and the quintuplication of oil prices in World markets, the U.S. Government took strong measures including the inauguration of the U.S. Department of Energy to administer a national policy towards Energy Independence.   Energy efficiency standards for transportation vehicles, key industrial processes, and residential and nonresidential buildings were urgently proposed and implemented to reduce consumption.

During the following decades, these standards were updated and expanded periodically to allow consideration and incorporation of new energy- efficient practices and technologies. Finally, on January 01, 2001, the U.S Government enforced comprehensive guidelines for the energy-efficient design, procurement and construction of federal buildings. These three Codes of Federal Regulations (covering design, performance and planning) are available in: http://www.wbdg.org/ccbref/ccbdoclist.php?category=cfr .

Since then, a number of State and Local Government are adopting minimum requirements for the design of efficient residential and commercial buildings. The City of Chicago promulgated its Energy Conservation Code that went into effect on September 3, 2002. These provisions, as well as those of most of the Energy Conservation Codes enforced in the country, are based in the 2001 IECC (International Energy Conservation Code) of the International Code Council (ICC). Normally, the conservation codes require that a REP (Registered Energy Professional) provide a certification declaring that the building plans comply with the code requirements.

Enerconsult’s REPs can perform the calculations and designs to prepare your plans in accordance with your code requirements. Enerconsult will prepare compliance reports documenting that building envelopes, HVAC systems, service water systems, and electrical power and lighting systems are code complaint, as well as cost efficient. The first step for sound energy conservation design is to establish which standards apply and which compliance requirements must be met. Once that is done, compliance options can be considered and appropriate documentation prepared.

For buildings outside Illinois, an Enerconsult’s REP will spend a few days in the Owner’s premises to gain familiarity with the building environment and the local regulations. For buildings in the State of Illinois, Enerconsult can furnish signed hardcopies of code compliance reports with all necessary forms and calculations ready for submittal. In addition, Enerconsult will furnish the electronic files for insertion directly onto CADD plans and drawings.

If you need further information, contact us directly to info@enerconsult.net or Tel. 773-401-6261.