Florida Is Adopting IECC 2024 - A Quick Review

Florida is adopting a new energy code on 12/31/2026. It's based on IECC 2024 and ASHRAE 90.1 2022.

2026 Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation, Ninth Edition

Photo Credit: INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL, INC.

The latest amendments to the energy code are out, and they include some surprising updates that will directly impact how we approach building performance. If you are working on Florida projects, here are the most critical takeaways you need to know:

1. The ASHRAE 90.1-2022 Path: Say Goodbye to Laminated Single-Pane Glazing

There is a mixed bag of updates here. The amendments removed the electrical energy monitoring requirements from ASHRAE 90.1-2022, but they kept the prescriptive onsite renewables. Most notably, they didn't touch the envelope backstop requirements in Chapter 12 and Appendix G. For Florida projects, this is a major shift - get ready to say goodbye to laminated single-pane glass for some projects, especially highrises.

2. The IECC Path: Eased Prescriptives, Strict Performance

The IECC compliance path offers its own set of twists. Interestingly, the amendments strip out the requirements for receptacle control, energy monitoring, and onsite renewables. However, they left the notoriously difficult PAEC threshold untouched in the performance path.

Automatic Receptacle Control, Energy Monitoring, and Renewables out of the code.

These conflicting requirements between the different compliance paths are almost guaranteed to cause confusion for project teams trying to select the best route for their buildings. Navigating these changes will require careful strategy.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on how the industry adapts to this - we will see how it goes!