Notices & Announcements
March 30, 2012 – The Texas Register published Notice to persons interested in building energy codes for residential, commercial, and industrial construction. The Notice encourages all interested persons to submit comments on the energy efficiency chapter of the 2012 International Residential Code and the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code to SECO.
February 21, 2012 – SECO received the Commercial and Residential technical analysis of the 2012 IECC and 2012 IRC, Chapter 11 from Energy Systems Laboratory of Texas A&M University.
January 1, 2012 – Effective today, the new state-mandated residential energy code is the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC), Chapter 11 for all one-and two-family residences of three stories or less above grade. The new code updates Texas Building Energy Performance Standards previously based on the 2000 IECC with 2001 Supplement.
December 12, 2011 – The State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) received the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and the 2012 International Residential Code, Chapter 11 (IRC) letter of review from Energy Systems Laboratory (ESL).
According to the Health and Safety Code, Chapter 388, as new codes are published by the International Code Council, ESL of the Texas Engineering Experiment Station at Texas A&M University is tasked with doing a technical analysis comparing the current building energy codes with the latest published edition of the IECC. The Texas Building Energy Performance Standards are currently based on the 2009 IECC and the 2009 IRC, Chapter 11. ESL’s analysis determined both the residential and commercial provisions of the 2012 IECC are more stringent that the current code.
November 30, 2011 –The Building Code Assistance Project (BCAP) publishes Texas' Strategic Compliance Plan. This identifies vulnerabilities and opportunities in energy code compliance across Texas' building sector.
September 28, 2011—The Texas Register published the following new rules for state-funded buildings:
- §19.31 Requirement to Use Design Standards
- §19.32 Energy and Water Conservation Design Standards
- §19.33 Major Renovation Projects
- §19.34 Submission of Certification and Compliance Documentation
July 20, 2011 – Register now for statewide workshops presented by the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO). SECO will offer workshops in 30 cities over the next seven months, covering updates to the Texas Building Energy Code.
May 27, 2011 – Effective June 1, 2011, SECO officially adopts the 2009 IECC for state-funded residential construction as published in the Texas Register.
April 5, 2011 – The U.S. EPA announced updated ENERGY STAR standards for lighting fixtures. Beginning October 1, 2011, light fixtures are required to increase energy efficiency 30 percent above currently qualified fluorescent-based fixtures in order to qualify for the ENERGY STAR label. In 2013, performance requirements will increase to 40 percent higher efficiency than currently qualified models.
April 1, 2011 – Effective Aptil 1, 2011, SECO officially adopts the 2009 IECC (PDF) for commercial, residential and industrial construction.
March 4, 2011 –Request for Proposal: Building Energy Codes & Standards Training and Outreach Services for the ATE Energy Conservation Office Stimulus Grant Program for the Comptroller of Public Accounts. Applications Due by March 30, 2011.
February, 2011 – BCAP publishes the Texas Gap Analysis Report online.
January 2011 – SECO publishes the new Water Efficiency Standards for State Buildings and Institutions of Higher Education Facilities (PDF). Standards go into effect September 1, 2011.