HELENA – Montana is among the states leading the way with the most energy efficient building codes — a move contractors say could add several thousand dollars to the cost of starter homes.
One of the biggest changes requires that new homes be built with finished basements, rather than allowing unfinished basements without much insulation. That change and others could add $7,000 to the cost of lower-priced homes — but may also increase energy efficiency by as much as 18 percent or more than $200 a year.
The updated energy code, being implemented over the next 90 days, adds Montana to just five other states who follow the latest standards, said the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.
The agency adopted the standards that were first approved last year by the Montana Building Codes Council and originally came as a recommendation from the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code. The state last accepted the latest standard back in 2003.
Montana had been a holdout in recent years in not requiring the basement insulation. Now the state says that with adoption of all the latest standards, Montana will have some of the most efficient requirements.
The Montana Building Industry Association argued against the changes, saying they would cause more harm than benefit. The group said that most houses, especially more expensive homes, were already built to the higher standards.
It is the buyers and builders of lower-priced homes that will have to make the most changes — causing a price hike for those least able to afford it.
Dustin Stewart, with the building association, said that people who build their own home often like to leave the basement unfinished to make it affordable at first. They will no longer be able to do so.
“The codes will definitely reduce heating bills, but that is of little consequence if you can’t get the loan to buy the house in the first place,” Stewart said.
Stewart said the group will not fight the codes by seeking legislation because it believes the code council is the right place for such decisions even if the trade group disagrees with the result.
Other changes in requirements in the code include a small increase in the effectiveness of ceiling and wall insulation, more energy efficient windows, more energy efficiency light bulbs and programmable thermostats.
Labor and Industry commissioner Keith Kelly said the energy savings will help consumers.
“Insulating basement walls is just one of the many ways we can do that, while it may increase the cost of the build, that cost can be offset and is really an investment that will show returns for anyone who owns that home,” Kelly said.