This document is the first in a three-part series by the Pathway to Zero project to provide state and local jurisdictions with pathways to strengthen their residential building energy codes to increase energy savings, reduce water use and air pollution, and improve comfort and health.
This code overlay—representing step one on the path to zero energy and carbon—shows how jurisdictions can update the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code to align new homes with criteria established by the ENERGY STAR program and the Zero Energy Ready Home program. Homes built to these criteria deliver excellent energy savings, comfort, health, and durability.
Relative to the International Energy Conservation Code, this code overlay aligns building insulation, air sealing, and equipment efficiency with ENERGY STAR and other advanced new home specifications. It adds water efficiency, quality control, and indoor air quality protection, and it includes requirements to make new homes ready for future installation of solar panels, electric vehicle chargers, and heat pumps.
For questions about this code overlay, please contact Emily Sims.
