TAG narrows prescriptive credit increases, approves revised square‑foot credit table

The Washington State Residential Energy Code Technical Advisory Group approved a revised prescriptive credits table for single‑family homes on June 27, 2024, adopting a size‑based credits staircase and a small adjustment to the renewable energy cap after extended debate about costs and feasibility. TAG members approved the modified proposal after voting to disapprove an alternate table earlier in the meeting. Why it matters: The credits table feeds the state's prescriptive compliance path, which many builders rely on to meet energy targets. The change is intended to help the state move toward its mandated energy reductions while recognizing differences in home sizes and technology options. The TAG considered two competing approaches to raising prescriptive requirements: a table created by Dwayne Johnlin that applies ten size categories and a formulaic approach offered by Patrick (last name on transcript). Members debated potential cost impacts for larger homes, how the changes affect multifamily and small additions, and whether the renewable energy credit (solar) cap should rise. - The approved table uses ten size buckets concentrated where most new homes are built (roughly 1,500–3,500 square feet), lowering credit…