Council members debate why Washington energy code is handled differently and discuss potential shift to IECC

Committee members questioned why the residential energy code follows a different drafting and reporting workflow than other model codes and discussed whether the council should move toward adopting the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) as a starting document.

Staff explained the current practice: Washington maintains a state-specific residential energy code that incorporates elements of the IECC and other standards, and the energy code historically has been drafted and compared differently than other model codes. Committee members cited RCW language in discussion. One commenter noted that RCW language indicates the Washington State Energy Code is treated separately and that the council “shall evaluate and consider adoption of the IECC,” while others said the state energy code’s format and unique legislative energy mandates make it operate differently in practice.

Members reported the residential tag voted to adopt the 2024 IECC unamended as one of the documents the tag will consider. Discussion touched on Initiative 20-66 and legislative energy mandates that shape Washington’s energy-code requirements. Staff and members agreed the council could pursue process improvements to avoid unnecessary divergence across code workflows and to reduce administrative burden on volunteers.