The Next Generation Codes Coalition supports states and local jurisdictions in strengthening their residential energy codes to significantly lower residents’ energy bills, reduce water use and air pollution, and improve comfort and health.
Join the Coalition Led by ACEEE, the Next Generation Codes Coalition comprises the states of California, Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, and Washington, as well as the City of Seattle, Enterprise Community Partners, the National Association of State Energy Officials, and the New Buildings Institute. To learn more or join the Coalition, please contact Emily Sims. |
For decades, the International Energy Conservation Code has been the leading model for residential building energy codes, but today many leading jurisdictions are seeking more advanced options. The Next Generation Codes Coalition is providing a path forward.
Three forward-looking codes for state and local governments to reach their goals
The Coalition is developing three distinct amendment packages to the International Energy Conservation Code for state and local adoption:
- Efficient New Homes code: A practical baseline inspired by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Efficient New Homes program, which has successfully certified nearly 50,000 homes across the United States as of the end of 2024. View the Efficient New Homes code.
- Near-Zero code: A comprehensive package promoting very high levels of energy efficiency, incorporating elements from Passive House standards and leading state codes. Forthcoming in mid-2026.
- Net-Zero code: An advanced package that combines the highest tier of efficiency with renewable energy integration so that over the course of a year the home produces as much energy as it uses. Forthcoming in summer 2026.
Support for adoption and effective implementation
In addition to developing these code amendments, the Next Generation Codes Coalition will facilitate their adoption and effective implementation. This will entail producing supporting resources—including a user’s manual to explain the requirements for all three codes and economic analyses by climate zone for each code—and providing technical assistance to states, local jurisdictions, and utilities in participating Coalition states.
The Coalition will continually update and refine the code amendments and support materials based on real-world adoption experiences and stakeholder feedback and assess the feasibility of incorporating these amendment packages as technical appendices in future model energy codes like the 2030 International Energy Conservation Code.
The Next Generation Codes Coalition is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy under the Building Technologies Office Award Number DE-EE0011568.