March 29th, 2018
by Tara Lukasik

The city of Henderson, Nev., earned regional recognition from the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) for saving its residents and businesses more than $2.3 million on utility bills and reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by about 30,254 metric tons over the past four years.

The economic savings and environmental benefits both stem from the city’s decision to adopt the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code.

The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) functions like other widely recognized building codes, and works in conjunction with standards for health, safety, and structural integrity. As is true with other building codes, local governments decide whether to adopt the IECC and its newer versions. Henderson was Nevada’s first municipality to adopt the 2012 updates.

“The IECC holds architects, construction companies and others in the building business to high standards, by requiring them to install efficient insulation, appliances, lighting fixtures, and so forth when they build new structures or when they undertake significant remodeling work,” SWEEP Buildings Program Director Jim Meyers explained.

“Energy-efficient homes and work places help owners and tenants save money on utility bills, while also enabling them to stay comfortable no matter the outside temperature. Because of those savings, the local utility doesn’t have to burn as much coal or natural gas to provide electricity, which in turn cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollution,” he added.

The “Energy Codes Count Award” was presented to city officials on March 20, 2018, and Henderson is the only city in SWEEP’s six-state region to receive the award this year, and just the second municipality ever to earn the honor.

Read more at the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project.

About the Author
Tara Lukasik
Tara Lukasik is an editor for the International Code Council, working out of its Western Regional Office in Southern California. Starting with the International Conference of Building Officials as the managing editor of its Building Standards Magazine, she has more than 25 years of experience in writing and editing feature content and advancing digital newsletters and magazines from conception to completion. She is currently putting her experience to good use managing the Code Council's Building Safety Journal and its BSJ Weekly newsletter, which connects construction professionals with the Code Council community and the latest industry news and resources. A California native, she enjoys volunteering in her local community and exploring the Golden State with her husband and three spoiled dachshunds. Follow her on Twitter @ICCTLukasik and Linkedin at linkedin.com/in/taralukasik.