Stringency– Texas' building codes are mandatory for both residential and commercial construction. Effective January 1, 2012, the Texas Building Energy Performance Standards were updated requiring single family homes to comply with the 2009 IRC. For all other residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, the 2009 IECC became effective April 1, 2011. State-owned buildings must meet ASHRAE 90.1-2007. For all buildings, jurisdictions can choose to adopt more stringent standards.

Compliance– In 2011, Texas BCAP released a study on compliance in the state that found uneven performance and presented a range of ideas to improve compliance. Texas is a home rule state, so enforcement is done by local jurisdictions. Local jurisdictions also decide the code compliance training requirements for their code officials. The State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) is in charge of code compliance for state-owned buildings. Builders are not required to take training since the Texas Residential Commission was dismantled. City building officials have to keep their certifications by CEUs, but it is not mandated by the state. SECO has also partnered with BCAP to establish a building energy code collaborative, which includes a number of governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations.

Links:

EERE Building Energy Codes Program

Online Code Environment & Advocacy Network (OCEAN)

Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO)

Texas Gap Analysis Report

Contacts:

Dub Taylor, Director

TexasStateEnergy Conservation Office

Phone: 512-463-1931

Email: dub.taylor@cpa.state.tx.us

Felix Lopez, Comptroller of Public Accounts

TexasStateEnergy Conservation Office (CPA/SECO)