Florida’s new Energy Code is in effect and causing concern in the construction industry, as well as among code enforcement agencies and local Building Departments. The effective date for the new Energy Code is June 30, 2015. Florida is not alone. Throughout the United States, Green Energy Building Codes have been enacted by most states over the last several years. However, Florida and several other states recently went “active” with their energy codes, specifying that the effective dates for their respective energy codes occur on July 1, 2015. This Energy Code, like the state building code will be one if not the most stringent in the United States.

Florida’s Energy Code was enacted as part of a federal initiative for all residential and commercial buildings to become energy efficient. The Energy Code must be incorporated into the design and construction of all new residential and commercial buildings. In addition, repair and replacement in existing residential and commercial buildings must conform to the new Energy Code. The Energy Code has replaced and enhanced several sections of Florida’s Building Code and specifications for the installation of replacement windows and doors.

Unfortunately, many small window and door companies, whose primary business is to service individual homeowners and even local building code departments and code enforcement agencies are not as of yet equipped to become effective at enforcing or interpreting the new Energy Code requirements.

“Education of the new Energy Code among our staff, and the addition of new product lines to meet the requirements set forth in this new Energy Code is what our Management team at Florida Window and Door have been focused on for the last several months. I can only imagine how unprepared a smaller company must be given the amount of work and resources that we have allocated to the changing Energy Code and its implementation.” Says Scott Berman President of Florida Window and Door.

The concern as with any enhanced building code is that while the Energy Code may help the environment and save Homeowners money; Homeowners must hire reputable companies who submit for building permits and have the proper license and not be convinced by non-reputable contractors that the Energy Code is not active, nor does it need to be adhered to and that we can sell you non-conforming products which may result in fines, for un-permitted work and a lien from an applicable government agency.