Builders in Kansas City Testify Against compulsory Energy Efficiency Regulations
In the heart of Kansas City, the housing market has experienced a notable shift following the implementation of a new energy code. This change has been a topic of discussion, particularly in the halls of Congress, where Brian Tebbenkamp, a local home builder, recently testified on behalf of the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City (KCHBA).
Tebbenkamp emphasized the importance of federal policy aiding in the construction of more homes, not fewer, to ensure safe, strong, and efficient homes for the community. However, the adoption of the 2021 IECC and ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2019 has raised concerns.
The new code, which took effect in Kansas City on October 1, 2023, has been tied to grant money, forcing state and local governments into a single, costly edition of the code. This has led to a significant increase in construction costs, a reduction in housing production, and minimal energy savings, Tebbenkamp stated.
A poignant example of this issue can be seen in a Kansas City homeowner who, with a HERS rating of 62, was saving over $2,500 annually. However, to comply with the new 2021 IECC, this homeowner had to spend an additional $10,300, resulting in only a minimal increase in savings.
The impact of this new code has been profound. The average number of builders active in Kansas City dropped from 98 in 2023 to just 22 in 2024, representing a 78% decline. The implementation of the new code also halted home building in Kansas City; when it took effect, no new single-family permits were issued for over three months.
Prior to the new code, the city averaged 66 new single-family permits per month in the four years before the code took effect. The KCHBA, along with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), which testified before Congress on this issue earlier this month, has called on Congress to oppose energy code mandates.
Tebbenkamp urged Congress to pass the Home Owner Energy Freedom Act, introduced by Rep. Craig Goldman (R-Texas), to repeal Section 50131 of the Inflation Reduction Act. This act, Tebbenkamp believes, has driven up costs, reduced housing production, and delivered little in energy savings.
The 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) was intended to be adaptable to local circumstances, but its current implementation has forced adoption without choice, Tebbenkamp stated. He urges for a more flexible approach to energy codes to encourage new home construction and maintain a vibrant housing market in Kansas City.
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