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Lawmakers considering changes to Utah's building code declined Wednesday to advance new home energy-efficiency standards.

The Business and Labor Interim Committee reviewed the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code standards, which proponents say could save the average Utah homeowner $175 a year in energy costs.

The standards, used by many other states for lighting, insulation and duct sealing, could add about $1,000 to new-home prices, although the energy savings would cover that cost within eight years.

Representatives of Questar Gas and Rocky Mountain Power supported the new energy standards. Homebuilders, though, argued that increasing home prices in a down market would cost them work.

"The timing's just not right," said Ron McArthur of McArthur Homes. Incremental cost increases now would mean fewer buyers could afford a home at all. "They don't get to save anything because they don't get to buy anything."

Others testified that rejecting the new standards would mean cheating future homeowners.

"It's going to cost someone thousands and thousands," said Brent Ursenbach, a Salt Lake County home inspector and member of the Uniform Building Code Commission's ad hoc committee.

He rejected the argument that it would deter homeowners.

"All of our studies show that the energy savings will cover the incremental costs on a mortgage," he said. "It's not costing anybody anything."

Part of the debate hinged on proponents' assertion that, under the existing code, home heating and cooling ducts leak enough to reduce energy efficiency by about 20 percent. Rep. Mike Morley, R-Spanish Fork, rejected the notion. He said most of a homeowner's savings under the proposed standards would come from things they could do voluntarily.

"The substantive portion of the savings comes from basically switching out light bulbs," Morley said.

Committee Republicans directed staffers to craft a bill making minor fire code changes but leaving out the energy standards. Democrats hinted they would amend that measure during this winter's session to include the energy savings. —

Tougher energy standards in place for businesses

Utah already enforces the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code standards for commercial buildings but not for homes.