Housing Efficiency Standards Act of 2020

To update and expand the requirements for energy efficiency for federally assisted housing, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Housing Efficiency Standards Act of 2020 2. Energy efficiency standards Section 109 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act ( 42 U.S.C. 12709 109. Energy efficiency standards (a) Covered buildings The requirements in this section shall apply to— (1) new construction of public and assisted housing and single family and multifamily residential housing subject to mortgages insured under the National Housing Act ( 12 U.S.C. 1701 (2) new construction of single family and multifamily housing subject to mortgages insured, guaranteed, or made by the Secretary of Agriculture under title V of the Housing Act of 1949 ( 42 U.S.C. 1471 (3) rehabilitation and new construction of public and assisted housing funded under the United States Housing Act of 1937 ( 42 U.S.C. 1437 (b) Initial requirement (1) In general Beginning 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, all new construction and rehabilitation of housing specified in subsection (a), but not including any manufactured home, shall meet the requirements of the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (in this section referred to as the IECC (2) Manufactured homes Beginning 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, all new construction of manufactured homes specified in subsection (a) shall meet— (A) the requirements of Energy Star Certified Manufactured Homes; or (B) the standards issued by the Secretary of Energy under section 413 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 ( 42 U.S.C. 17071 (c) Revisions (1) In general If the requirements of the IECC, or, in the case of multifamily high rises, ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1, are revised, all new construction and rehabilitation of housing subject to subsection (b)(1) shall meet the requirements of the revised code or standard beginning 1 year after— (A) the Secretary of Energy makes a determination under section 304 of the Energy Conservation and Production Act ( 42 U.S.C. 6833 (B) the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development makes a positive determination under paragraph (3). (2) Exception Paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not apply to any category of housing with respect to which the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development or the Secretary of Agriculture determines that compliance with such revised code or standard would not be technologically feasible or economically justified. (3) Determination If the Secretary of Energy fails to make a determination under section 304 of the Energy Conservation and Production Act ( 42 U.S.C. 6833 (d) Additional or different standards (1) In general The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of Agriculture may jointly or separately establish additional or different energy efficiency requirements for housing specified in subsection (a) if they are at least as stringent as the code or standard applicable under this section. (2) Continuation of existing requirements Any energy efficiency requirements for new construction and rehabilitation of housing specified in subsection (a) established by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development or the Secretary of Agriculture prior to the date of the enactment of the Housing Efficiency Standards Act of 2020 (e) Implementation (1) Guidance regarding standards The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of Agriculture shall revise guidance, handbooks, builder certifications, and other relevant documents to incorporate the requirements under this section— (A) not later than the expiration of the 10-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of the Housing Efficiency Standards Act of 2020 (B) in the case of a positive determination under subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (c)(1), not later than the expiration of the 10-month period beginning on the date of such determination. (2) Effective dates The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development or the Secretary of Agriculture may set an effective date for the applicable code or standard for one or more category of housing that is earlier than the effective date specified in subsection (b) or (c). (3) Compliance The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of Agriculture shall— (A) within 1 year after the date of the enactment of the Housing Efficiency Standards Act of 2020 (B) within 1 year after the date of the determinations specified in subsection (c) update such plans; and (C) implement the plans in a timely manner. .

Summary: Housing Efficiency Standards Act of 2020 This bill updates energy efficiency requirements for new construction or rehabilitation of certain federally assisted housing, as well as for new construction of manufactured housing. Specifically, new construction or rehabilitation of certain federally assisted housing must comply with recently updated energy efficiency standards issued by certain industry bodies. Current law requires compliance with older versions of these standards. The Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Agriculture may establish additional or different energy efficiency requirements if they are at least as stringent as the otherwise applicable standards. Additionally, new construction of manufactured housing must comply with standards issued by certain industry bodies or by the Department of Energy.