Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation, 8th Edition (2023): What is Changing and How Best to Prepare.
The next iteration of Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation, will go into effect at midnight on December 31, 2023. With the 8th edition of the Florida Building Code (FBC) comes the expectation that residential buildings will become 5% more energy efficient.
To date, residential buildings have been considered code compliant with a 100 or better estimated Energy Performance Index. Beginning January 1st, 2024, at 12:01 a.m., residential buildings will need an estimated Energy Performance Index of 95 or better to pass with the 8th edition of the FBC. To illustrate the upcoming energy related code changes, an 1885 sq ft example building that passes the 7th Edition of FBC Energy Conservation will be shown and compared under the 8th Edition of the code.
2022 7th edition energy performance level (EPL) display card (Note passing index under FBC 7th edition).
2023 8th edition energy performance level (EPL) display card
(Note the exact home fails under FBC’s 2023 code).
The same 1885 sq ft residential building required the following energy enhancements to pass under the 2023 8th edition of the FBC:
- Increased SEER2 rating for the HVAC Condenser,
- More energy efficient windows with a lower Solar Heat Gain Coefficient meaning that the windows needed to be upgraded. The proposed windows will prevent even more heat from entering the building, and
- A more efficient hot water heater
2023 8th edition energy performance level (EPL) display card (Note the home passes with energy enhancements)
We hope that this communication will help to inform you of the 8th edition energy code changes. Please prepare and submit your upcoming projects to the county before December 31, 2023, to insure that your building qualifies under the current code.
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North Venice, FL 34275