The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) advances building energy codes, electrification strategies, and performance standards that deliver significant carbon reductions and energy savings for both new construction and existing buildings.
Buildings account for 40% of U.S. energy use and 74% of electricity consumption, making them a critical focus for climate action. SWEEP drives energy efficiency and beneficial electrification through policies that cut energy waste, lower costs, and curb emissions.
We lead efforts to:
- Adopt stronger building energy codes.
- Integrate high-efficiency heat pumps and heat pump water heaters (HPWHs).
- Add EV-readiness to new construction.
For existing buildings:
- Benchmarking and building performance standards.
- Appliance efficiency standards.
- Incentives that make spaces healthier, more durable, and less polluting.
- Utility ran energy efficiency programs.
Opportunities to mention utility programs. Realistically handled by the utility program, but the buildings team provides input.
*Savings and benefits data preliminary as of spring 2025.
Areas of focus
Energy codes
About energy codes
Building energy codes are one of the most effective tools for improving energy efficiency, reducing emissions, and ensuring long-term affordability in homes and commercial buildings. They apply to new construction and major renovations, setting minimum standards for insulation, windows, air sealing, HVAC systems, and water heating.
Buildings built to the latest energy codes than those from the early 2000s — while being brighter, more comfortable, less drafty, and less polluting. This means lower utility bills, healthier indoor environments, and greater resilience. Energy codes also deliver economic benefits by reducing operating costs for businesses, stabilizing housing markets, and easing strain on the electric grid.
The national model code, the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), is updated every three years through an open process involving builders, building officials, and community stakeholders. States and local jurisdictions then adopt or modify these standards.
Energy codes in the Southwest
Southwest states vary in how they adopt and enforce energy codes:
- Utah: Mandatory statewide code; local jurisdictions must comply or seek legislative approval for changes.
- New Mexico: Statewide code with flexibility for local jurisdictions to adopt stronger codes.
- Nevada: Statewide code is adopted and then local jurisdictions shall follow suit.
- Colorado: Requires jurisdictions to adopt at least the 2021 IECC with solar-ready, electric-ready, and EV-ready provisions when updating any building code. Starting July 2026, jurisdictions must adopt the state’s Low Energy and Carbon Code.
- Arizona and Wyoming: “Home rule” states where codes are adopted and enforced locally.
SWEEP's work on energy codes
SWEEP encourages the adoption of the latest and most efficient energy codes across the Southwest. We help states and local governments:
- Evaluate options for strengthening codes.
- Draft updates and ordinances.
- Educate officials and communities on benefits.
We also collaborate with utilities, state energy offices, and industry partners to make training and compliance easier — so modern building codes can help achieve climate goals, keep energy affordable, and ensure everyone benefits.
Building electrification
About building electrification
Building electrification means replacing gas or propane appliances — such as furnaces, water heaters, stoves, and dryers — with clean, efficient electric alternatives. Powered by an increasingly renewable grid, these technologies significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and eliminate risks from combustible fuels and leaking gas pipes, making homes and buildings safer and healthier.
Most building energy use comes from space heating and water heating, so electrification efforts focus on high-efficiency heat pumps and HPWHs. These systems deliver heating and cooling in one unit, improving comfort and efficiency year-round.
Building electrification in the Southwest
Electrification is gaining momentum in the Southwest thanks to:
- Advances in heat pump technology for cold climates.
- Falling equipment costs.
- Rising gas prices.
- Growing awareness of climate benefits.
Utilities and local governments now offer rebates and incentives for heat pumps and HPWHs, alongside federal tax credits and instant rebates. Colorado and New Mexico also provide state-level tax credits, and many local programs make heat pumps cost-effective — especially in areas without gas service, where propane and electric resistance heating are expensive.
Heat pumps are also an attractive replacement for central air conditioning systems, offering both cooling and heating in one efficient package.
SWEEP's work on building electrification
SWEEP accelerates electrification by:
- Designing and advancing state and local policies.
- Supporting utility incentive programs.
- Helping cities adopt codes for all-electric new buildings.
- Partnering with organizations like the Beneficial Electrification League of Colorado (BEL-CO) to improve contractor training, boost consumer awareness, and remove adoption barriers.
SWEEP also helped BEL-CO launch Love Electric, a resource hub for homeowners, contractors, and stakeholders.
Zero energy buildings
About zero energy buildings
Zero energy buildings are designed to maximize energy efficiency and produce the remaining electricity they need through onsite renewable energy, typically solar PV. Increasingly, these buildings are all-electric, using heat pumps, HPWHs, and electric cooking to eliminate fossil fuel use. Many also incorporate battery storage for added resilience.
Zero energy buildings can be residential or commercial, and while new construction is most common, retrofits are possible (though more challenging). These buildings offer superior comfort, health, and durability, while reducing energy costs and emissions compared to standard code-built structures.
Zero energy buildings in the Southwest
The Southwest leads the nation in zero energy construction:
- Over 60% of the most energy-efficient homes built today are in this region.
- Nearly two-thirds of builders, architects, and subcontractors specializing in zero energy homes are based here.
Our region’s abundant sunlight, connection to land, and innovation culture make it a natural leader in zero energy design.
SWEEP's work on zero energy buildings
SWEEP promotes zero energy buildings by:
- Partnering with utilities to offer programs and incentives.
- Encouraging state and local governments to provide development perks like reduced permit fees.
- Supporting voluntary stretch codes and local jurisdictions adopting zero energy goals.
- Advocating for all-electric, highly efficient designs and smart integration of onsite solar with grid resources.
Benchmarking and building performance standards
About benchmarking and building performance standards
Building energy benchmarking is a proven strategy for measuring and reducing energy use in commercial and multifamily buildings. Benchmarking provides data on a building’s energy performance and compares it to similar properties, helping owners and managers identify opportunities to cut energy costs, improve efficiency, and verify retrofit results. It also helps investors and tenants choose cost-effective, high-performing buildings.
The next step beyond benchmarking is adopting Building Performance Standards (BPS), which set targets for reducing overall energy use or greenhouse gas emissions. Together, benchmarking and BPS are among the most impactful policies cities, counties, and states can implement to lower energy costs, improve building performance, and meet climate goals.
Benchmarking in the Southwest
SWEEP helped make Colorado the second state in the nation (after Washington) to adopt a statewide benchmarking and building performance standard.
Across the Southwest, several cities are taking bold steps to improve building performance and transparency. Reno, Nevada adopted its Energy and Water Efficiency Program in 2019, requiring large commercial and multifamily buildings to report annual energy and water use, helping reduce costs and emissions (City of Reno). Salt Lake City, Utah launched its Elevate Buildings initiative, mandating energy benchmarking and public disclosure for large buildings to drive efficiency and climate progress (Salt Lake Sustainability). In Scottsdale, Arizona, advanced green building codes and sustainability programs incorporate benchmarking practices to support energy savings and environmental leadership (City of Scottsdale Green Building Program).
SWEEP's work on benchmarking and building performance standards
SWEEP supports states and local governments in adopting and implementing benchmarking and BPS policies by:
- Designing policies and crafting adoption pathways.
- Engaging stakeholders and analyzing options.
- Coordinating with utilities for compliance and data sharing.
- Advising on scorecards, maps, and data utilization to maximize impact.
We also promote benchmarking for private businesses and government buildings, helping them leverage data to drive energy efficiency investments, improve air quality, and create a cleaner environment.
Appliance standards and emission standards
About appliance and emission standards
Appliance standards set minimum energy and water efficiency requirements for new products and fixtures sold in the market. While most standards are established at the federal level, states can adopt additional standards for products with significant savings potential.
SWEEP partners with the Appliance Standards Awareness Project to help states coordinate on consistent statutory language, backed by data and analysis.
States are also adopting Clean Lighting standards, which phase out mercury-containing fluorescent bulbs and accelerate the transition to high-efficiency LED lighting.
In addition, states and regional air districts are exploring emission standards for smog-forming NOx pollution and GHG emissions from heating and water heating appliances.
Appliance and emission standards in the Southwest
Arizona: Water-saving standards for plumbing fixtures since the early 2000s.
Colorado and Nevada: Full suite of energy- and water-saving appliance standards plus clean lighting standards, aligning with more than a dozen other states.
SWEEP's role in appliance and emission standards
SWEEP leads policy development and education efforts across the Southwest to advance statewide legislation for:
- Appliance efficiency standards.
- Clean lighting standards.
- Emission standards for heating and water heating equipment.
Our work ensures consistent, effective policies that save energy, reduce emissions, and lower costs for consumers.
Policy
SWEEP advances policies that drive energy efficiency, electrification, and emission reductions in buildings across the Southwest. Our focus areas include:
State-of-the-art building energy codes based on the latest International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
Energy code enhancements such as solar-ready, EV-ready, and electrification provisions.
Building electrification: Promoting the switch from fossil-fueled appliances to clean, efficient electric options like heat pumps and heat pump water heaters (HPWHs).
Benchmarking and building performance standards for commercial and multifamily buildings.
Home energy disclosure at the time of sale to inform buyers about energy efficiency.
Minimum efficiency and emission standards for appliances and other products.
Energy savings goals, ENERGY STAR purchasing requirements, third-party financing, and performance contracting to cut energy waste.
Expanded utility energy efficiency programs, including incentives for all cost-effective efficiency and electrification measures.
Resources and publications
Support our work
Supporting SWEEP’s Buildings Program allows us to help communities harness the economic advantages of better energy efficiency and clean transportation programs for cleaner and healthier air, lower energy costs, and protection for our most climate vulnerable citizens.
