Procedures for calculation of NOx emissions reduction from implementation of the 2000 IECC/IRC conservation code in Texas

Four areas in Texas have been designated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as non-attainment areas because ozone levels exceed the NAAQS1  maximum allowable limits. These areas face severe sanctions if attainment is not reached by 2007. Four additional areas in the state are also approaching national ozone limits (i.e., affected areas)2.  In 2001, the Texas State Legislature formulated and passed Senate Bill 5 to reduce ozone levels by encouraging the reduction  of  emissions  of  NOx  by sources that are currently not regulated by the state3. An important part of this legislation is the State’s energy efficiency program, which includes reductions in energy use and demand that are associated with the adoption of the 2001 IECC4, which represents one of the first times that the EPA is considering emissions reductions credits from energy conservation – an important new development for the building simulation community, since this could pave the way for documented procedures for financial reimbursement for building energy conservation from the state’s emissions reductions funding. This paper outlines the procedures  that have been used to calculate the electricity savings residential construction in non-attainment and affected counties. Results are presented that show the annual electricity savings and NOx reductions from implementation of the 2001 IECC, which use the DOE-2 simulation program.