Anticipating the Future of Home Energy: The IECC 2027 and REScheck Web

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Anticipating the Future of Home Energy: The IECC 2027 and REScheck Web

The world of energy efficiency in building is always evolving, and the release of a new International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) is always a major event. As the industry anticipates the next iteration, the IECC 2027, many in the residential construction and design fields are asking a critical question: When can we expect to use this new code within the indispensable REScheck Web software?

Here is a look at the timeline for the IECC 2027 and what we can currently project regarding its integration into REScheck Web.

The IECC 2027 Development Timeline

The IECC operates on a three-year cycle, and the 2027 edition is currently in its complex development phase. This process involves consensus committees, public comment periods, and multiple drafts before the final document is published.

• Anticipated Code Publication: Based on the International Code Council’s (ICC) development schedule, the final IECC 2027 is expected to be published around late 2026.

• A Continuous Maintenance Process: Unlike previous cycles, the IECC now uses a continuous maintenance process, which means the committees review and take action on proposals throughout the development period. This is intended to streamline the process leading up to the final publication.

• Key Focus Areas: The new code is being developed with an eye towards achieving a “reasonable level of energy efficiency” that is safe, technologically feasible, and life-cycle cost-effective. Discussions are also focusing on how to integrate provisions for greenhouse gas reductions and zero-energy goals, likely placing them in optional appendices or as alternative compliance paths.

💻 REScheck Web Integration: What to Expect

Once the IECC 2027 is finalized and published by the ICC, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) will need time to analyze the new requirements and integrate them into the REScheck Web software.

• The Integration Cycle: Historically, the integration of a new, major code version (like the 2024 IECC) into REScheck Web occurs after the code’s publication, often taking one to two years depending on the complexity of the changes.

• The IECC 2024 Precedent: The 2024 IECC, for example, followed a similar path, and its support in the web software serves as a good predictor for the 2027 edition’s timeline.

• Estimated REScheck Web Release: Given the anticipated late 2026 publication of the IECC 2027, the earliest you might see the IECC 2027 available as a compliance option in REScheck Web is likely late 2027 or sometime in 2028.

Keep in mind: This estimated timeline is for the software’s availability. Individual states and local jurisdictions must then go through their own legislative or regulatory process to formally adopt the IECC 2027 before it becomes mandatory for new construction in that area.

💡 Why the Wait is Worth It

The delay between code publication and software integration is essential. REScheck Web is an official compliance tool, and its calculations must be meticulously updated and verified to ensure accuracy. This thorough process ensures that when you use the software for a project, the resulting compliance report is reliable and legally sound for building departments across the nation.

In the meantime: Continue to utilize the most current codes available in REScheck Web—which currently includes the 2021 IECC and, increasingly, the 2024 IECC—as these are the codes being adopted across the country today.

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