Delaware has adopted national and international energy conservation standards to guide statewide rules and regulations for the building sector.

DNREC’s Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy issues and regularly updates regulations based on these standards, which come from the International Code Council (ICC) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

Delaware transitioned to new energy conservation codes in 2020.

Code Assistance and Training

DNREC offers energy code technical support via telephone and email.

The hotline is open for questions about the residential or commercial provisions of the 2018 IECC or ASHRAE 90.1-2016.

DNREC has also prepared training opportunities to help Delaware’s construction industry and local government code enforcement officials.

The state offers training sessions covering the latest updates to residential and commercial energy conservation codes. Sessions, when scheduled, will be posted here.

Recorded webinar versions of the commercial and residential training are available. Complete the registration form to gain access to the recordings and receive continuing education credits.

Recorded Training Webinars

An Introduction to Energy Codes in Delaware (July 21, 2022)

This webinar covers an overview of the national model energy code and Delaware’s process for adopting statewide energy codes.

Residential Energy Code Trainings

Making the 2018 IECC Work for Delaware (Feb. 2, 2021)

The webinar features an overview of the changes in the 2018 IECC, compliance paths options, and air sealing best practices.

Residential Air Sealing: A View from the Field (Dec. 7, 2021)

The training includes a deeper dive into the residential energy codes with a look at air sealing best practices. The webinar features video footage of real Delaware job sites with a strong focus on proper air sealing practices, insulation best practices, and whole house mechanical ventilation to meet current energy code requirements.

Commercial Energy Code Trainings

2018 IECC Commercial Energy and ASHRAE 90.1-2016: An Update for Delaware (Feb. 4, 2021)

The webinar covers the changes in the new energy commercial energy codes and addresses top questions identified by stakeholders.

Energy Code for Commercial Buildings: Overcoming Compliance Challenges (Dec. 9, 2021)

This webinar features additional commercial energy code training material focusing on the building envelope, troubleshooting compliance challenges, mechanical and electrical system controls.

Related Documents

Questions and Answers: Explore the Top Topics

Delaware Commercial Energy Code Compliance Paths Brochure

Delaware Residential Energy Code Compliance Paths Brochure

2012 to 2018 IECC Major Changes – Commercial Buildings

2012 to 2018 IECC Major Changes – Residential Buildings

Delaware ASHRAE 90.1-2016 Major Changes – Commercial Buildings

Final Determination Regarding Energy Efficiency Improvements in the 2018 IECC

U.S. DOE Energy Savings Analysis 2018 IECC for Residential Buildings

U.S. DOE Energy Savings Analysis ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 2016

Delaware Duct and Envelope Testing (DET) Verifier Directory

Background

The state first established a minimum statewide code for energy conservation in 1979 with passage of legislation requiring local governments to meet the energy conservation requirements of a national model energy conservation code. Over the years, the legislature has updated the requirement to match changes in national and international model codes.

In 2009, the General Assembly approved an updated Code for Energy Conservation (16 Del.C. § 7602) which tied Delaware building and plumbing codes to the International Energy Conservation Code published by the International Code Council (ICC) and the Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings published by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

The legislation requires the Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy to review and update the state’s regulations every three years.

In 2014, the Division promulgated the Regulations for State Energy Conservation Code (7 DE Admin Code 2101), based on the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code and the 2010 edition of the ASHRAE Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low Rise Residential Buildings.

Enforcement and compliance with the energy code is determined at the local level, and varies depending on the county or municipality. The US Department of Energy provides a suite of compliance checklists and evaluation tools.

The Current Delaware Code

In June 2020, the Division amended the Regulations by adopting the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code and the ASHRAE 90.1 2016 Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low Rise Residential Buildings. These codes became effective on Dec. 11, 2020.

All projects must meet the requirements of the new energy codes (2018 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1 2016).

The code requires that a permanent certificate be posted on or in the electric panel. The certificates can be created using a Code Certificate template designed for printing on Avery or Uline labels.

The Delaware Energy Code Coalition

The Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy created the Delaware Energy Code Coalition in 2011, following a first recommendation in its Strategic Compliance Plan. Delaware was the first state to create a such a coalition.

The Coalition brings together a diverse group of state and local stakeholders responsible for advising the Division on energy code implementation, infrastructure, updates, and compliance. The members include representatives of homebuilders, building code officials, contractors, architects, the Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility, the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) and the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP).

Related Topics:  building, climate, efficiency, energy, plumbing