Southwest Energy Efficiency Project

New Mexico

Building Energy Codes

New Mexico has adopted the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) as its mandatory, statewide energy code for both residential and commercial construction. Since July 2004 New Mexico has been administering the 2003 IECC, and adopted the 2006 IECC, effective January 1, 2008. All new construction in the state must meet the minimum energy code requirements of the IECC. The adopted code incorporates additional requirements that go beyond the minimum energy efficiency requirements in the IECC. The requirements include more stringent air sealing and insulation requirements, higher duct insulation levels, a ‘cool roof’ requirement for residential and commercial buildings, and a ‘solar-ready’ requirement to allow future installation of solar systems.

In its 2007 session, the New Mexico State Legislature adopted, and Governor Bill Richardson signed into law, House Bill 534, creating a “sustainable building tax credit,” to be made available for the construction of a sustainable residential or commercial building, or the renovation of an existing building into a sustainable building. The amount of tax credit that building owners or purchasers can receive is to be calculated based on the certification level the building has achieved in the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED green building rating system.

Additional Information

New Mexico State Energy Office

© 2002-2008 Southwest Energy Efficiency Project
2260 Baseline Rd. Suite 212, Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 447-0078 fax: (303) 786-8054 info@swenergy.org

Last Updated: 07/16/2008