Code Status: Arkansas

This page contains information about current energy codes in the state of Arkansas. Information for all 50 States is also available. Arkansas Code News.

Current State Codes
Code Adoption & Change Process
Energy Consumption Estimates
Construction Activity
Web Links
State Energy Code Contacts

Current State Codes

Residential Code: 2004 Arkansas Energy Code, based on the 2003 IECC with state-specific amendments, mandatory statewide; can use REScheck to show compliance.
Commercial Code: 2004 Arkansas Energy Code, based on the 2003 IECC (referencing ASHRAE 90.1-2001), mandatory statewide; can use COMcheck to show compliance.
Code Change Cycle: No set schedule. Most recent update effective: October 1, 2004.
Jurisdictions: (Information last updated June 1, 2009. See ICC Online for up-to-date jurisdictional adoption information).
- 2006 IECC: Lowell

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Code Adoption & Change Process

Process Type: Legislative & Regulatory

Code Change Process: A rule-making process is used to adopt new codes and change existing codes. When a proposed code change is initiated by the Arkansas Energy Office (AEO), it is first reviewed by the affected parties. They evaluate the proposed changes and work with the AEO to refine them to satisfy all parties, if possible. All changes are then submitted for public hearing. After approval at the public hearing, the proposed change is acted upon by the AEO and by two legislative committees before it is included in the next edition of the code.

State Code History: The first Arkansas Energy Code was enacted in 1979 and was based on the 1977 Model Code for Energy Conservation in New Building Construction (MCEC), which references ASHRAE/IES Standard 90-1975. Legislation was approved in January 1993 giving the AEO the authority to adopt new standards through a rule-making process. The AEO adopted a code in October 1994, referencing ASHRAE 90.1-1989 for commercial buildings, and based on the 1992 MEC for residential buildings. The code was editorially revised on May 3, 1995. The 2004 Arkansas Energy Code, based on the 2003 IECC, was effective October 1, 2004.

On April 14, 2009, Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe signed Act No. 1494 into law. It promotes the conservation of energy and natural resources in buildings owned by the state or institutions of higher education. It establishes performance criteria and goals for sustainable and energy-efficient new and majorly renovated public buildings based on ASHRAE 90.1-2007. Buildings must be designed, constructed and certified to at least 10% reduction below the baseline energy consumption determined with the performance rating method of Appendix G of ASHRAE 90.1-2007.

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Energy Consumption Estimates

The consumption estimates below are derived from the total end use of residential and commercial energy consumption in the United States in 2006, and are not limited to energy consumption based on building code-related factors. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Residential Sector: 225.1 Trillion BTU
Commercial Sector: 160.1 Trillion BTU
Total Energy Consumption: 385.2 Trillion BTU

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Construction Activity

Residential:

Population (2000 US Census)¹: 2,673,400
Total Housing Units²: 1,202,028
2004 New Housing Units Authorized by Permit (Privately Owned)³:
- total units: 15,486
- 1 unit: 9,890
- 2 units: 506
- 3 and 4 units: 333
- 5+ units: 4,757
- structures of 5+ units: 401

References:

Green Building Initiatives

15 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certified Buildings
ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes Market Index less than 3%
6 ENERGY STAR Labeled Buildings and Plants

Code Funding Opportunities

There are two funding opportunities under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA): Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants and State Energy Program. Please reference the U.S. Department of Energy for Arkansas's allocated amount and updated information.