This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Why is Utah still stuck with 2006 building codes?
As a building science consultant, my time is spent helping homeowners figure how to keep their homes at a comfortable temperature without going broke. For most homes, even new homes, the only fixes are invasive and very expensive.
I consider it a tragedy when I walk into most new homes and see that the sensible upgrades required by the newest energy standards are not there. The future homeowners could be much more comfortable, have better air quality and save thousands over the lifetime of the home.
For every $10 of increased home payment these upgraded standards would cost, it would save the homeowner $13 in utilities. Plus they would have a safer and more comfortable home!
Why does the Utah Legislature continue to delay updating the code?
Mitch Richardson
Midvale