APRIL 14, 2003 - Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services (CIS) Director David C. Hollister announced today the CIS Energy Office is hosting a free seminar on Tuesday, April 29 to share information with energy consultants, engineers and architects, code officials and building inspectors about the State of Michigan’s recent update to the Energy Code for commercial structures. The new Energy Code Rules, which took effect March 13th, are expected to help businesses reduce energy costs and promote energy efficiency.

The CIS Bureau of Construction Codes proposed the update to the Michigan Uniform Energy Code Rules since the previous standards were outdated and in some cases, the materials no longer existed. The new rules, which are consistent with the Federal Energy Policy Act, update the current standard for commercial structures from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 90-A-1980 and 90-B-1975 Standard to the ASHRAE 90.1-1999 Standard. 

“The state’s previous energy standard was considered antiquated at 20-plus years old and did not meet the energy needs of Michigan businesses, the state or even the nation. We found that the building design industry was building higher than the state’s standard since it was so outdated,” Hollister said. “This rule update will encourage businesses to use modern technology and methods of energy conservation for new commercial construction in Michigan without being overly restrictive or costly.”

Hollister said the move will help protect the environment and encourage energy efficiency, which are among the top goals of the Granholm administration.

“Some materials required by the new standards may cost a little more during construction, but there are far more financial and environmental rewards expected in the long run. The rule update is expected to save business owners and tenants money by reducing future utility bills through energy efficiency, while at the same time protecting our environment and conserving our energy resources,“ Hollister added. “CIS has already begun the process to update the Residential Energy Code to reduce utility costs for Michigan families as well.”

The CIS sponsored seminar will feature Mark Halverson of the U.S. Department of Energy Building Energy Codes Program and cover all sections of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-1999. The seminar will be on Tuesday, April 29, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the State of Michigan Library Auditorium in Lansing. The deadline to register is April 25^th. To register, visit  www.michigan.gov/eoworkshops or send your name, organization, phone number, and e-mail address to John Sarver of the CIS Energy Office via email: jhsarve@michigan.gov or fax to: 517/241-6229.  (Please indicate in your email or fax that you are registering for the ASHRAE 90.1 Seminar).

The seminar is free, however attendees are encouraged to purchase Standard 90.1-1999 (I-P Edition) and the User's Manual directly from ASHRAE. The Standard is $98 and the User's Manual is $75. Click here to visit ASHRAE’s website and click on Superseded Standards.

Read more Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services press releases.