Codes + Standards Energy Dept. offering $4.9 million to states for CO2 emissions cuts Programs will include home-energy scoring labels.
Codes + Standards Heat pumps become economical for cold climates Some pumps can now withstand temperatures as low as 20 degrees below zero.
Codes + Standards Micro homes show promise for affordable housing Project currently underway in Ithaca, N.Y., could be replicated in other locations with public financing.
Codes + Standards Some homes under construction in Moore, Okla., not up to tornado code City officials want homes to be able to withstand EF-2 or EF-3 tornadoes.
Codes + Standards Stanford University researchers develop inexpensive seismic isolators for homes Initial testing looks promising for devices that researchers say could eliminate need for residential earthquake insurance.
Codes + Standards Spike in roofing demand prompts Sioux Falls, S.D., to consider dropping building permits Local contractors are split on the issue but do favor more thorough inspections.
Codes + Standards Roofers association responds to Wall Street Journal article on fall protection regulations Representatives say that OSHA regulations need to go beyond personal fall arrest systems.
Market Data + Trends Four-month upturn ends as builder confidence falls in October After four consecutive monthly gains, builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes fell five points to a level of 54 on the Housing Market Index.
Codes + Standards Former Fed chairman fails to qualify for refinancing loan Incident raises question of whether the credit market is too restrictive.
Codes + Standards End of Fannie Mae’s HomePath program indicates healthier home market The original campaign lowered the down payment for buyers of foreclosed homes.
