The State of Alabama has joined the ranks of state and municipal code jurisdictions that have incorporated the Energy Rating Index as a compliance option to their residential energy building codes. The Alabama Energy and Residential Codes Board has adopted the 2015 Alabama Residential Energy Code. The Alabama Residential Energy Code incorporates the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with state modifications. Included with the adoption is the Energy Rating Index compliance option (R406). The required Energy Rating Index score in Alabama that must be met is 70 or lower. To view the new code go to 2015 Alabama Residential Energy Code The new residential energy code will go into effect on October 1, 2016. In Alabama in 2015 there were 1,618 homes HERS® rated and issued a HERS® Index Score. The average HERS® Index Score of homes rated in the state was 73. RESNET and the International Code Council (ICC) recently conducted a webinar on the Energy Rating Index Option to the 2015 IECC and the opportunities for certified RESNET HERS® Raters to be ICC certified Energy Code Inspectors. To download the webinar go to ICC/RESNET Energy Rating Index Webinar for Code Officials RESNET and the ICC have produced a video production explaining how HERS® can be used to demonstrated compliance to an energy code. To view the video go to HERS® Index and Energy Codes
