A
coalition
of
energy-
and
consumer-focused
trade
groups
lauded
the
release
of
new

energy-efficiency
standards
for
the
construction
of
new
single-family
and
multifamily
homes,
which
were
announced
last
week
by
the


U.S.
Department
of
Housing
and
Urban
Development
(HUD)
and
the


U.S.
Department
of
Agriculture
(USDA).

Nine
groups

released
a
joint
statement
and
a
series
of
individual
perspectives
to
voice
support
for
the
move
—
including
the

American
Council
for
an
Energy-Efficient
Economy
(ACEEE),
the

Housing
Assistance
Council
(HAC),
the


National
Consumer
Law
Center
(NCLC)
and
the

U.S.
Green
Building
Council
(USGBC).

“By
improving
energy
efficiency,
the
congressionally
mandated
requirements
will
save
residents
an
estimated
$15,071
for
single-family
homes
and
$5,886
per
multifamily
unit
over
30
years,
net
of
costs
(compared
to
homes
under
existing
U.S.
requirements),”
according
to
the
joint
statement.
“Residents
of
single-family
homes
would
save
$963
every
year
on
energy
costs,
on
average.”

NCLC
zeroed
in
on
the
benefits
it
expects
that
consumers
will
enjoy
based
on
the
new
standards.

“Making
new
homes
more
energy
efficient
will
lower
utility
costs
for
homeowners
and
renters
who
too
often
struggle
to
pay
their
bills
and
will
reduce
the
risk
of
foreclosure
and
eviction,”
Alys
Cohen,
senior
attorney
with
NCLC,
said
in
a
statement.
“We
applaud
HUD
and
USDA
for
updating
their
building
codes
and
urge
the


Federal
Housing
Finance
Agency
(FHFA)
to
adopt
the
newer
standards
so
affordable
energy
is
available
for
the
many
families
moving
into
homes
financed
through
Fannie
Mae
and
Freddie
Mac.”

Energy
transitions
can
sometimes
be
costly
at
the
outset
until
new
technologies
are
fully
implemented
and
their
benefits
realized.
In
that
vein,
the
HAC
stands
ready
to
assist,
according
to
David
Lipsetz,
its
president
and
CEO.

“HUD
and
USDA
are
helping
keep
utilities
costs
lower
for
homeowners
and
renters,”
Lipsetz
said.
“This
is
the
right
move
at
a
time
when
housing
costs
are
growing
ever
farther
out
of
reach.
We
stand
ready
to
work
with
the
agencies
to
find
ways
to
cover
the
upfront
costs
for
the
short
time
periods
until
they
pay
for
themselves.”

The

National
Electrical
Manufacturers
Association
(NEMA),
which
represents
more
than
300
electrical
equipment
and
medical
imaging
manufacturers,
also
praised
the
new
standards.

“NEMA
commends
Acting
HUD
Secretary
Todman
and
USDA
Secretary
Vilsack
for
their
leadership
on
this
final
determination
that
will
create
cost
savings,
generate
efficiency
gains,
and
further
reduce
emissions
from
buildings,
benefitting
all
Americans,”
Debra
Phillips,
NEMA
president
and
CEO,
said
in
a
statement.
“This
decision
will
lower
the
energy
burden
on
low-income
homes,
reducing
monthly
utility
bills
in
the
process.”

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