Henderson, Nevada, earns energy efficiency award

The city of Henderson, Nev., earned regional recognition from the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) for saving its residents and businesses more than $2.3 million on utility bills and reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by about 30,254 metric tons over the past four years.

The economic savings and environmental benefits both stem from the city’s decision to adopt the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code.

The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) functions like other widely recognized building codes, and works in conjunction with standards for health, safety, and structural integrity. As is true with other building codes, local governments decide whether to adopt the IECC and its newer versions. Henderson was Nevada’s first municipality to adopt the 2012 updates.

“The IECC holds architects, construction companies and others in the building business to high standards, by requiring them to install efficient insulation, appliances, lighting fixtures, and so forth when they build new structures or when they undertake significant remodeling work,” SWEEP Buildings Program Director Jim Meyers explained.

“Energy-efficient homes and work places help owners and tenants save money on utility bills, while also enabling them to stay comfortable no matter the outside temperature. Because of those savings, the local utility doesn’t have to burn as much coal or natural gas to provide electricity, which in turn cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollution,” he added.

The “Energy Codes Count Award” was presented to city officials on March 20, 2018, and Henderson is the only city in SWEEP’s six-state region to receive the award this year, and just the second municipality ever to earn the honor.

Read more at the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project.