ACEEE published an updated and expanded analysis on this subject in May 2022. Please refer to that publication.
Although building energy codes are set at the state or local level, the federal government sets national efficiency criteria for many of the new and rehabilitated homes that it supports. Setting up-to-date energy efficiency requirements for these homes would improve home quality, reduce monthly costs, improve the health and comfort of residents, and ensure long-term reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. This fact sheet, and a forthcoming paper, look at the impacts of improving new homes supported by FHA mortgages, other federal financing and programs, and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgages. Our analysis shows federal agencies can add more than one million years of employment (job-years), save almost $30 billion, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 300 million tons.
