Houston Council Passes Stronger Energy Efficiency Standards

Environment Texas

HOUSTON – New homes built in Houston will use less energy after the Houston City Council approved stronger energy efficiency standards for new residential properties this morning. Starting February 1, new residential properties will have to achieve 10% greater efficiency than the minimum required by the state of Texas. This fulfills part two of a commitment made by the Houston City Council a year ago to achieve a 15% stronger standard over three years (the final 5% will go to a vote at the end of the year).

“Once again Houston is leading the state towards a cleaner energy future,” said Luke Metzger, Director of Environment Texas. “Buildings consume 40% of our energy, and much of that energy is literally flying out the window rather than heating or cooling our homes and businesses. What’s worse, energy-wasting buildings are responsible for nearly half of our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. Better insulation, windows and appliances not only save consumers money and make homes more comfortable, they also play a critical role in protecting our environment.” 

“The Houston region is projected to gain 3.5 million people and over 500,000 homes by 2030. These could last over 70 years,” Metzger said. “By building these homes to be as energy-efficient as possible, Houstonians can worry less about keeping the lights on and secure a cleaner future.”

A 2011 Environment Texas Research & Policy Center report, America’s Emerging Clean Energy Capital: How Houston Can Lead the Nation to a New Energy Future, found improvements in energy efficiency in homes could save an amount of energy equivalent to 7.8 percent of Houston’s current demand.

The State Energy Conservation Office is currently considering adoption of new efficiency standards across the state.