Building Codes + Standards

Local and state government control of energy codes has the potential to be one of the largest drivers of energy savings in the coming decade. Our research team uses deep knowledge of building design and codes to provide guidance for codes and standards programs, code compliance, and more.

Highlights

Interior of a building

Market characterization studies to determine the hidden savings in Minnesota energy codes.

Overhead view of a secondary school

Research on how updated ASHRAE standards affect real building performance in secondary schools.

Chicago skyline

A project to advance utility support for advanced building policies such as stretch energy codes and building performance standards in Illinois.

August 14, 2023

Slipstream and partners awarded U.S. Department of Energy project to advance energy codes in Wisconsin

The award is part of the DOE's Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation awards, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, to ensure the nation's buildings meet the latest standards for energy efficiency.
Continue Reading
June 27, 2023

Advancing the electrification of RTUs in the Commercial and Industrial market

Packaged rooftop units, or RTUs, make up around 40% of the commercial and industrial market. What are the barriers keeping energy efficiency programs from tapping into this market?
Continue Reading
June 12, 2023

Raising the grade: Actual energy performance in secondary schools built to ASHRAE standard 90.1-2010

To observe how the energy code affects energy use in real schools, we compared actual energy performance in secondary schools built to the 2010 and 2004 versions of ASHRAE 90.1.
Continue Reading
April 12, 2023

We can make commercial buildings safer in the post-pandemic future

Better building operation can help us optimize both energy use and people's health — but we need to know more.
Continue Reading
February 21, 2023

Join our commercial energy code field study for the U.S. Department of Energy

Commercial building owners in the Midwest: join our field study to help the Department of Energy improve energy codes in large buildings.
Continue Reading
October 15, 2022

Inside Chicago's Building Decarbonization Policy Working Group

Slipstream staff give us the inside scoop on the City of Chicago's plan to decarbonize its building stock.
Continue Reading
September 19, 2022

Advanced building policies in Illinois

Slipstream has helped Illinois leaders advance utility energy efficiency support for advanced building policies such as stretch energy codes and building performance standards.
Continue Reading
June 13, 2022

Can Passive House help us build more efficient affordable housing?

Highlights from a study of two side-by-side projects of affordable housing new construction to compare energy efficiency between Passive House Certification and ENERGY STAR.
Continue Reading
January 26, 2022

Savings hidden in the code: The limits of energy code as a baseline

What's a simple climate measure that could save 80 million kWh and over 3 million therms without any new regulations? If you could find one, you'd feel like you’d cracked some sort of code.
Continue Reading
September 29, 2021

Five climate solutions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

This week Congress is expected to vote on an infrastructure package aimed at addressing the climate crisis, job creation, and social justice.
Continue Reading