Residential Code Methodology The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
has established a methodology for evaluating the energy and
economic performance of residential energy codes. This method
serves to ensure DOE proposals are both energy efficient and
cost-effective. In addition, DOE will evaluate published codes,
which will help states and local jurisdictions better understand
the impacts of updating residential energy codes. The DOE
methodology contains two primary assessments: - Energy savings
Energy and economic calculations are performed through a
baseline comparison, modeling changes between representative
building types. National energy savings are reported, in
addition to economic metrics by state and climate zone. In
considering cost-effectiveness, longer term energy savings are
balanced against additions to initial costs through a life-cycle
cost perspective. These first costs are referenced in DOE's
Residential Cost Database, which serves as a supporting tool for
the analysis. The DOE methodology model