Our Green Energy Future

Consumers Union works for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves. Energy codes affect a majority of the population but are often overlooked as a consumer issue. Strong energy codes help not only people moving into new homes but future buyers and the community as a whole.

The goal of our energy code work is to educate the public on the importance of energy codes and to help them become their own advocates for code improvement and enforcement. CU is working with the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP) and state and local organizations to reach as many people and as many communities as possible. We want everyone to remember that strong energy codes help not only people moving into new homes but future buyers and the community as a whole!

If you’re an individual:
Help your community adopt the most recent code! Check out our Guide for Advocates. Educate your community or city council with our Consumer Engagement in Energy Codes presentation. Need more ideas? Contact us!

If you’re an organization:
We would love to work with you to help educate consumers and work for updated codes! Please feel free to print our toolkit and other resources to use at events, meetings or in your other efforts as well as post them to your website. Just let us know so we can find out what audiences they are reaching. Please contact Shannon Baker-Branstetter to discuss further opportunities for collaboration. We welcome new ideas!

Consumer Reports and BCAP’s national survey found that a majority of consumers surveyed agreed with the following statements:

• Homebuilders should not make less efficient homes at the consumers’ expense (73%)
• Energy codes would help my energy bills be more affordable and predictable (71%)
• Energy codes help make homes more comfortable to live in (68%)
• Energy code standards will help to ensure quality home construction (70%)
• Energy codes should be enforced like other safety and quality standards of construction (75%)
• Homeowners should have a right to a home that meets national energy standards (82%)
• Energy code standards will help ensure that homeowner and taxpayer dollars are used wisely and efficiently as new building will be required to be built right the first time (74%)
• I would rather pay slightly more for a new home and have affordable, predictable operating costs and energy bills (79%)

For more survey details, click here.

Find out if your state has the most current code by visiting BCAP’s residential map.