You are here
http://energycodesocean.org/state-country/florida
2009 IECC, State-developed code Mandatory
The Florida Building Commission (FBC) is directed to adopt, revise, update, and maintain the Florida Building Code in accordance with Chapter 120 of the state statutes. The code is a mandatory uniform statewide code and need not be adopted by a local government to be applicable at the local level. Local jurisdictions may not adopt more or less efficient codes. Visit the Florida Building Commission website for a detailed overview of the code modification process.
Triennial code revision process.
History
Visit the Florida Building Commission website for full details on the history of the Florida Building Code, including a presentation on the changes in the past decade.
In response to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (Public Law 94-163), the 1977 Florida legislature passed two laws requiring local adoption of an energy code for certain building categories for which building permits were issued after March 15, 1979. The two laws enacted by the Florida legislature were the driving force behind the "Florida Thermal Efficiency Code" and the "Florida Lighting Efficiency Code," which were combined in 1980 as the FEECBC, developed to be climate-specific for Florida. The state energy code became effective on March 15, 1979, and was updated in 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1993, and 1997. The 2001 Florida Building Code went into effect in 2002, and the 2004 Florida Building Code went into effect in January 2005.
As of November 2006, The Florida Energy Office (FEO) was planning to develop an Automated Energy Code Compliance System, a program proposed by the University of Central Florida's Florida Solar Energy Center. This system will be a building standards database allowing designers and builders to access the most up-to-date building energy requirements and to apply for authorization. This will facilitate code compliance and the implementation of energy efficiency measures.
On June 17, 2008, Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed HB 697, which outlines the state legislature's mandates to improve the energy performance of Florida's infrastructure. To meet the state's ambitious energy efficiency goals, the Florida Building Commission shall select the most current version of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) as a foundation code.
The law also directs the Florida Building Commission to include provisions in the 2010 edition of the Florida Energy Efficiency Code for Building Construction necessary to increase the energy performance of new buildings by at least 20 percent as compared to the energy efficiency provisions of the 2007 Florida Building Code adopted October 31, 2007. Further scheduled provisions shall increase energy efficiency by 30, 40, and 50 percent compared to the 2007 Florida Building Code for the 2013, 2016, and 2019 editions of the Florida Energy Efficiency Code for Building Construction, respectively.
As a result of a conference call held June 9, 2008, the Florida Building Commission decided to extend the 2007 Florida Building Code implementation date to December 31, 2008, rather than October 1, 2008, as previously announced. At its September 15, 2008, conference call meeting, the Florida Building Commission decided to once again postpone the effective date of the 2007 Florida Building Code from December 31, 2008 to March 1, 2009.
According to a report by the Florida Solar Energy Center, the 2007 FBC would likely result in new homes that are about 17% more efficient than homes built to the standards of the 2006 IECC and about 3% less than the 2009 IECC.
****
The first printing of the 2010 Florida Building Codes, including the now-separate document 2010 Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation, become effective March 15, 2012. Adopted by the Florida Building Commission in 2011, the state-developed code claims the 2009 IECC as its base document, with significant Florida-specific changes integrated throughout. More information on the FBC update process is available here.
The FBC estimates the 2010 state code is 5% more efficient than the 2007 FBC edition, or roughly 20% more efficient than the 2006 IECC. The changes to the 2010 code have been outlined in an FBC presentation.
Basic Facts
Zones 1A (bottom tip) and 2A (majority) (zones based on DOE's most recent zoning: zone numbers based on a spectrum, zone 1 represents very hot weather and zone 8 represents subarctic weather. Letters indicate climate type, A-Humid, B-Dry, C-Marine)
18,537,969 (2009, U.S. Census Bureau)
New Housing Units Authorized by Permit:
Total units: 61,042
Number of Housing Units by Structure Type:
1 unit: 38,709
2 units: 652
3 and 4 units: 898
5 or more units: 20,783
(2008, Real Estate Center)
Single family dwellings: 38,709 units (-45% from previous yr), with average value of $219,200 per dwelling
(2008, Real Estate Center)
256.27 MMT CO2 (2007)
Energy Data
Petrolium: 39.4% (2007, EIA)
Total annual energy consumption of 4601.9 trillion Btu (2007, EIA)
60,746.6 Million Nominal Dollars (2007, EIA)
37% of the state’s natural gas supply and 26% of electricity consumption are used for heating the home.
Florida’s residential sector relies most heavily on solar energy forms for energy consumption
Residential use of natural gas in Florida costs $19.45/thousand cu ft, exceeding the national average.
Source: EIA
Climate Concerns
According to the United States Global Change Research Program, extreme heat, declining air quality, draught and an increase in the frequency of severe precipitation and Atlantic hurricanes are likely to pose increasing problems for the Southeast United States. In addition, sea-level rise is projected to accelerate, endangering shorelines and major coastal cities. In the southeast, the annual average temperature has increased by 2°F since 1970. Annual average temperatures are projected to rise 4.5°F-9°F with the greatest increase occurring in the summer months. The effects of climate change could significantly alter the region’s economy, landscape, character, and quality of life.
Through three executive orders, Governor Crist established the Governor’s Action Team on Energy and Climate Change, conducted an emissions inventory, and set emissions reduction goals for the state. The Action Team with assistance from theCenter for Climate Strategies was charged with creating the Florida Energy and Climate Change Action Plan which was completed on October 15, 2008 and included recommendations to improve the efficiency of existing residential buildings. In addition, Florida is developing its own cap-and-trade program through the Department of Environmental Protection in order to address the emissions of electric utilities.
BCAP Estimated Energy Savings
Contact Paul Karrer for savings information for your state ***@***.***.

Contact
Recent Comments