Bill passes the full house to make new buildings ready for rooftop solar, electric vehicle charging and electric appliances

DENVER – House Bill 22-1362 was heard on the final vote in the House of Representatives today and passed 33-32. It requires cities and counties to update their building energy codes in order to increase the energy efficiency and cut the pollutant emissions of new homes and commercial buildings.

“At a time when renewable energy sources are more widely available and more affordable than ever, making sure our buildings can run on electricity created from the power of the sun and the wind is the next phase of Colorado’s clean energy journey,” said Rex Wilmouth, Environment Colorado Senior Program Director.

The bill directs local governments that have building codes to: 

• Adopt and begin enforcing the most recent version of the International Energy Conservation Code no later than January 1, 2025;

• Adopt electric and solar ready requirements as part of energy codes to prepare new homes and buildings for electric vehicles, rooftop solar, and high efficiency electric appliances; and

• Adopt and begin enforcing a low energy and carbon code no later than January 1, 2030.

America has the technical potential to power our society with 100% renewable energy from the sun, the wind and the warmth of the Earth. One step to realizing that vision is making sure our homes, workplaces and other buildings are ready to use the renewable energy we harness. We have a ways to go toward realizing that vision. In 2019, three out of every four American homes still relied on fossil fuels for heating, hot water or to run appliances. That fossil fuel dependence contributes to a host of environmental and public health problems, including global warming.

Switching to clean, efficient and electric technologies like heat pumps for space and water heating and induction cook stoves can lead to less indoor and outdoor air pollution which means cleaner air for us to breathe. It also means less water pollution, reduced energy waste which can lead to more affordable utility bills, and greener communities overall. 

“Every day that we don’t switch to clean, electric energy use in our homes is an opportunity wasted. It’s exciting to see the Colorado House vote to advance clean energy homes and we hope the Senate follows suit before session ends on May 11th,” said Wilmouth.