After an analysis that showed ASHRAE/IES’s 2013 energy efficiency standard contains energy savings over the 2010 standard (8.5% source energy savings to 7.6% site energy savings), the U.S. Department of Energy issued a ruling that establishes the 2013 standard as the commercial building reference for state building energy codes.

The DOE attributes the greater energy savings to improvements in ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2013 related to several areas, including better boilers, controls, commercial refrigeration, fans and lighting.

This means states are required to update their codes to meet or exceed the 2013 standard within two years.

“ASHRAE is pleased with this ruling from the DOE, recognizing the energy savings measures in the standard,” ASHRAE President Tom Phoenix said. “Standard 90.1 was an original cornerstone in our efforts to improve building performance and we continue to strive to increase its efficiency in the future.”

The DOE noted the 2013 standard has 52 positive impacts on energy efficiency that were incorporated into the analysis. The impacts included changes made through the public review process.