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Split Systems: Coordinating Energy Policies for New and Existing Buildings

Split Systems: Coordinating Energy Policies for New and Existing Buildings

Full Title: Split Systems: Coordinating Energy Policies for New and Existing Buildings
Author(s): Skye Gruen
Publisher(s): National Energy Codes Collaborative, ACEEE
Publication Date: May 7, 2025
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):

For decades, states and cities have adopted energy codes to drive energy efficiency in new buildings while lowering utility costs for consumers. More recently, many have begun adopting building performance standards (BPS) to improve the energy performance of existing buildings as well. 

Coordination between these two policy tools is critical to avoid challenges for both individual buildings and broader policy goals. For example, without alignment, a newly constructed building that complies with current energy codes might still need costly upgrades in just a few years to meet BPS requirements.

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