Georgia Energy Code Resources
To help code officials and building design and construction professionals in Georgia understand the requirements of the new code, Southface has developed comprehensive energy code field guides and videos, as well as video tutorials that demonstrate the new duct leakage and blower door (envelope leakage) test methods.
| The Georgia Energy Code / Georgia Energy Code Resources |
| Code Organizations / Additional Resource Links |
The Georgia Energy Code
Effective January 1, 2011, Georgia’s energy code is the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with Georgia State Supplements and Amendments. The following are links to components of Georgia’s new energy code:
2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
- Georgia adopted the 2009 IECC with Georgia State Supplements and Amendments as its energy code. The 2009 IECC is available for purchase in PDF or printed edition ($34.50-$35.50). You can also download the four relevant pages from the residential chapter in the energy code here.
- Chapter 5 of the 2009 IECC states that complying with ASHRAE Standard 90.1 2007 is an approved way to meet the requirements of the commercial energy code. The standard is available for purchase in PDF or printed edition ($19.00)
- Georgia has adopted many amendments to the energy code. These amendments are posted on the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) website.
Georgia Energy Code Resources
Guidance on Effective Enforcement of Georgia's Energy Code
- In municipalities across the country, energy code enforcement and compliance remain insufficient or, in some cases, completely absent. Cities, counties, and other jurisdictions must develop and carry out realistic and effective energy code implementation strategies to ensure that energy codes accomplish their intent to reduce energy use and save money for consumers and businesses.
- The compliance certificate is an important requirement in the Georgia Energy Code.This certificate can be filled in electronically using a PDF reader. A sample compliance certificate and a factsheet describing each item on the compliance certificate is also available.
- The Department of Energy has created a Georgia-specific version of REScheck. If you want to do simple trade-offs within the building envelope (e.g., install less ceiling insulation but with better windows) and show energy code compliance, choose Georgia 2011 from the "Code" pull-down menu and UA Trade-off from the Options/Compliance Method pull-down menu. The inspection checklist printout may also be useful for inspectors.
Summary of Georgia Residential Energy Code
- This two-page guide, developed by the Residential Energy Codes Alliance, is a concise summary for code officials of the requirements of the Georgia residential energy code.
Georgia Energy Code Fact Sheet
- This two-page fact sheet, developed by Southface, gives a general overview of the requirements in the Georgia energy code.
Blower Door and Duct Blaster Testing Factsheet
- This two-page fact sheet, developed by Southface, gives information on how to test a home properly to determine if it meets energy code requirements.
Georgia Residential Energy Code FAQ
- This website answers common questions on the Georgia residential energy code.
- This document answers common questions on the DET verifier requirements of the energy code.
Residential Inspection Checklists
- The Department of Energy created inspection checklists to determine a state's compliance with the energy code. The checklists specific to the state of Georgia are below and can be used by code officials or builders to determine compliance with every requirement in the code. A web-based version of these checklists for Georgia is also available on Score and Store.
- This interactive home, created by Southface, shows the major requirements of the energy code for consumers.
Georgia Residential Energy Code Presentation, Georgia DET Verifier Presentation,
Georgia Commercial Energy Code Presentation
- Southface developed full-day trainings on the requirements of the energy code and to train Duct and Envelope Tightness (DET) Verifiers throughout the state. The presentations used for the trainings are available here for download.
Benefits from Effective Energy Code Implementation in the City of Atlanta
- This White Paper demonstrates that effective implementation of the Georgia energy code by the Office of Buildings in the City of Atlanta will strengthen Atlanta’s economy, save water, improve public health, and enhance the comfort and long term energy performance of buildings.
- This paper provides recommendations developed by broad range of real estate, construction and design professionals in Atlanta to the City of Atlanta Office of Buildings on how to increase compliance with Georgia’s energy code through improved administrative processes and communication with industry stakeholders.
Standard 90.1 2007 User's Manual
- This user's manual explains the energy code requirements in ASHRAE 90.1-2007 in detail. It is available for purchase in pdf or printed edition ($93.00)
- The study companion explains the energy code requirements in the 2009 IECC in detail. It is available for purchase in soft cover or eCode download ($43.00)
Code Organizations
Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA): Georgia Construction Codes
- Georgia DCA is a state government agency that partners with local governments to facilitate community, economic, housing and sustainable development. Georgia DCA is responsible for adopting and providing technical guidance on Georgia’s construction codes. For questions about specific requirements in the energy code, contact Georgia DCA at: 404-679-3118
- Southface is an energy and environmental non-profit that educates on the energy code. The Southface website, www.southface.org, lists current energy code trainings and provides access to free energy code resources.
Department of Energy (DOE): Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable (EERE): Building Energy Codes Program (BECP)
- BECP serves as an informational resource on national model energy codes. The program promotes stronger building energy codes and helps states adopt, implement and enforce those codes.
Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP): Online Code Environment and Advocacy Network (OCEAN)
- BCAP strives to reduce building energy use by promoting the adoption, implementation, and advancement of energy efficient building codes and standards on the international, state and local levels. BCAP's OCEAN promotes the adoption and implementation of energy codes with web-based support in the form of educational and informational resources.
International Code Council (ICC)
- ICC is a membership association that promotes building safety and fire prevention through the development of International Codes (I Codes). These codes, one of which is the 2009 IECC, present a minimum safeguard for the construction of residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools.
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
- ASHRAE is an international association that works to advance heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education. Georgia adopted its ASHRAE 90.1-2007 standard for use as one of the commercial energy code paths.
Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET)
- RESNET maintains the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) standard for energy efficiency and a database of certified HERS raters, who may be contracted to rate existing homes in energy performance.
Building Performance Institute (BPI)
- BPI accredits companies and certifies individuals to perform performance diagnostics and improvements on residential buildings. A list of contractors in Georgia can be found here.
List of Southface-trained Duct & Envelope Tightness (DET) Verifiers
- Southface maintains a listing of those individuals certified to test the tightness of homes and duct systems as required by the new residential energy code. NOTE: BPI analysts, HERS raters,and Home Performance with Energy STAR Contractors are also certified DET Verifiers.
Additional Resource Links
Companies that sell blower door and duct pressurizing equipment:
Blower door videos (14 minutes each)
- These videos detail the setup and operation of blower door equipment, a diagnostic tool used in home performance testing and now required for building envelope tightness testing in the Georgia residential energy code.
- Blower door setup video
- Blower door testing video
Duct testing videos
- Testing the tightness of duct systems is also a requirement of the new Georgia residential energy code. The Energy Conservatory features a series of videos that describe the setup and operation of its duct testing equipment.
- Energy Conservatory YouTube Channel
Building Energy Codes Resource Guide: Code Officials Edition
- Online set of resources developed for code official use offering residential and commercial inspection tools, training and support materials, and additional resources and links of interest.
Comparison of Standard 90.1-07 and the 2009 IECC with Respect to Commercial Buildings
- This document gives a comprehensive overview of the similarities and differences between building to the commercial section of the 2009 IECC and building to ASHRAE 90.1-2007
Impacts of the 2009 IECC for Residential Buildings at State Level
- This report details the findings and results of a study undertaken to compare the impacts of statewide adoption of the 2009 IECC for residential buildings in place of typical building practices.
Impacts of Standard 90.1 2007 for Commercial Buildings at State Level
- Similar to the document above, this report details the findings and results of a study undertaken to compare the impacts of statewide adoption of the ASHRAE 90.1-2007 commercial energy code in place of typical building practices.
State Compliance Evaluation Procedures
- A list of tools and procedures to assist states and jurisdictions with the measurement and reporting of compliance with building energy codes.
Building Energy Codes: An Introduction
- A primer on building energy codes that highlights the main benefits and advantages of saving energy in buildings.
- This website provides a host of informational resources on the science behind how buildings work and ways to improve their performance.
Interested in Learning More?
Explore our interactive energy code compliant home!
Southface offers the following energy code training classes:
