Codes + Standards North Carolina bill would stop cities from dictating new home design Some lawmakers have argued that some cities had exceeded their authority
Codes + Standards U.S. residential sector installs record amount of solar power in 2014 More than 1 gigawatt of solar power was installed
Codes + Standards Higher mortgage rates could be coming later this year The possible increase may boost home buying in the near future
Codes + Standards PHIUS to launch PHIUS + 2015 passive building standard on March 25 The building energy performance target is in the “sweet spot” where cost effectiveness overlaps with aggressive energy and carbon reduction
Codes + Standards Fannie Mae to offer lower interest rates to green-certified multifamily properties Multifamily projects that pass a green certification will be granted a 10-basis-point reduction
Codes + Standards N.J. Attorney General to investigate complaints on home insurers following Superstorm Sandy Some engineers allegedly rewrote reports to enable insurers to reduce awards to policyholders.
Codes + Standards Arizona utility adds demand charge for solar-powered users This new fee will be based on a solar user’s peak power demand during the month.
Codes + Standards Dept. of Energy wants innovative ideas to boost energy efficiency in buildings Website is a platform to bounce of ideas between designers, building scientists, and students.
Codes + Standards New Jersey Supreme Court puts control of affordable housing agency in the courts Affordable-housing advocates alleged that the state government had failed to meet a court-ordered deadline
Codes + Standards Majority of renters say they prefer renting to home ownership A survey found that many renters see renting as more convenient that owning.
