Montana 2018 Commercial New Construction Code Compliance Evaluation

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) contracted with Michaels Energy to conduct the Montana 2018 Commercial New Construction Code Compliance Evaluation to assess the paths and degree by which code compliance is achieved with the amended 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The study focused on newly constructed commercial buildings in Montana under its version of the 2018 IECC, which was in effect from February 13, 2021 through June 10, 2022. Study objectives included:

  1. Cataloging the major current design and engineering practices in Montana, with focus on primary building systems including envelope, mechanical systems, lighting, and service water heating;
  2. Assessing compliance of new commercial buildings in Montana constructed under 2018 IECC; and
  3. Assessing this study’s methodological efficacy and replicability.

The study identified 133 commercial buildings likely to be constructed under Montana 2018 IECC, with 65 falling within the study’s scope and 28 included in the final sample for permit and plan review. Analysis of these 28 buildings, supplemented by limited site visit data, revealed strong compliance in building envelope, lighting power density, and heating and cooling systems. However, overall building compliance and compliance in lighting controls and storage water heating was generally low. Lastly, findings suggest incorporating targeted site visits into future study methodologies will enhance and improve future commercial code compliance studies.

View Document Share