LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS RELATIVE TO FLORIDA’S ENERGY CODE

• The Commission shall use the International Codes published by the International Code Council, the National Electric Code (NFPA 70), or other nationally adopted model codes and standards needed to develop the base code in Florida. [553.73(3)].
• The Commission shall select the most current version of the International Energy Conservation Code as a foundation code; however, the IECC shall be modified by the commission to maintain the efficiencies of the Florida Energy Efficiency Code for Building Construction adopted per §553.901, F.S. [553.73(7)(a), FS]
• The Commission may modify any portion of the foundation codes only as needed to accommodate the specific needs of this state. [553.73(7)(a),(c), FS]
• Amendments or modifications to the foundation code pursuant to this subsection shall remain effective only until the effective date of a new edition of the Florida Building Code every third year. Amendments or modifications related to state agency regulations which are adopted and integrated into an edition of the Florida Building Code shall be carried forward into the next edition of the code, subject to modification as provided in this part. Amendments or modifications related to the wind-resistance design of buildings and structures within the high-velocity hurricane zone of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties which are adopted to an edition of the Florida Building Code do not expire and shall be carried forward into the next edition of the code, subject to review or modification as provided in this part. If amendments that expire pursuant to this paragraph are resubmitted through the Florida Building Commission code adoption process, the amendments must specifically address whether:
• The provisions contained in the proposed amendment are addressed in the applicable international code.
• The amendment demonstrates by evidence or data that the geographical jurisdiction of Florida exhibits a need to strengthen the foundation code beyond the needs or regional variations addressed by the foundation code, and why the proposed amendment applies to this state.
• The proposed amendment was submitted or attempted to be included in the foundation codes to avoid resubmission to the Florida Building Code amendment process.

If the proposed amendment has been addressed in the international code in a substantially equivalent manner, the Florida Building Commission may not include the proposed amendment in the foundation code. [553.73(7)(g)]

Still in the code from years ago, specific to the energy code (summarized):

• The Department shall determine most cost-effective (to the consumer) energy saving equipment & techniques and triennially update the code to incorporate such equipment and techniques. [553.901, FS]
• State energy code shall constitute a statewide uniform code (may not be made more or less stringent locally) [553.903, FS]
• Code for new buildings shall take into account exterior envelope physical characteristics (including thermal mass); HVAC, service water heating, energy distribution, lighting, energy managing & auxiliary systems design, selection, configuration and performance. [553/904, 553.905, FS]
• Code for renovated buildings shall take into account insulation, windows, infiltration, HVAC, service water heating, energy distribution, lighting, energy managing and auxiliary systems design and equipment selection and performance for portions of the structure which are actually renovated. [553.906, FS]
• New residential buildings shall have the energy performance level disclosed by EPL Display Card, to be included as an addendum to each sales contract. Local building official shall require that the card be completed & certified by the builder as accurate & correct before CO of building. [553.9085, FS]
• State energy code shall set minimum requirements for commercial or residential swimming pool pumps, swimming pool water heaters and water heaters used to heat potable water.
• Shall establish acceptable standby loss for electric water heaters and recovery efficiency & standby loss for natural gas or LPG water heaters.
• Shall set standards for commercial or residential swimming pool heaters
• Shall set standards for residential swimming pool filtration pumps and pump motors
• Shall set standards for portable electric spas
• May set standards for other appliances & energy-using systems determined by the department to have significant impact on the energy use of the building if cost-effective to the consumer [553.909, FS]
• All replacement air-conditioning systems shall be installed using energy-saving, quality installation procedures and include equipment sizing analysis and duct inspection. [553.912, FS]