1. The Director shall adopt regulations for the conservation of energy in buildings, including manufactured homes. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, such regulations must include the adoption of the most recent version of the International Energy Conservation Code, issued by the International Code Council, and any amendments to the Code that will not materially lessen the effective energy savings requirements of the Code and are deemed necessary to support effective compliance and enforcement of the Code, and must establish the minimum standards for:

(a) The construction of floors, walls, ceilings and roofs;

(b) The equipment and systems for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning;

(c) Electrical equipment and systems;

(d) Insulation; and

(e) Other factors which affect the use of energy in a building.

The regulations must provide for the adoption of the most recent version of the International Energy Conservation Code, and any amendments thereto, every third year.

2. The Director may exempt a building from a standard if the Director determines that application of the standard to the building would not accomplish the purpose of the regulations.

3. The regulations must authorize allowances in design and construction for sources of renewable energy used to supply all or a part of the energy required in a building.

4. The standards adopted by the Director are the minimum standards for the conservation of energy and energy efficiency in buildings in this State. The governing body of a local government that is authorized by law to adopt and enforce a building code:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b), shall incorporate the standards adopted by the Director in its building code;

(b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, may adopt higher or more stringent standards and must report any such higher or more stringent standards, along with supporting documents, to the Director; and

(c) Shall enforce the standards adopted.

5. The Director or the governing body of a local government shall not adopt a standard which mandates a requirement for air changes per hour that is outside the following ranges:

(a) Less than 4 1/2 or more than 7 air changes per hour for an attached residence or any residence for which fire sprinklers are installed; or

(b) Less than 4 or more than 7 air changes per hour for any residence other than a residence described in paragraph (a).

6. A design professional who complies with the standards adopted by the Director or the governing body of a local government pursuant to this section is not subject to disciplinary action by the State Board of Architecture, Interior Design and Residential Design pursuant to paragraph (f) of subsection 1 of NRS 623.270 or the State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors pursuant to NRS 625.410.

7. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit the Director or the governing body of a local government from approving and implementing a program for the purpose of increasing energy efficiency in new residential construction through the use of sample inspections.

8. The Director shall solicit comments regarding the adoption of regulations pursuant to this section from:

(a) Persons in the business of constructing and selling homes;

(b) Contractors;

(c) Public utilities;

(d) Local building officials; and

(e) The general public,

before adopting any regulations. The Director must conduct at least three hearings in different locations in the State, after giving 30 days’ notice of each hearing, before the Director may adopt any regulations pursuant to this section.

9. As used in this section, “design professional” means a person who holds a professional license or certificate issued pursuant to chapter 623 or 625 of NRS.

(Added to NRS by 1985, 1794; A 2001, 1251, 3266; 2003, 32; 2005, 22nd Special Session, 76; 2009, 986, 1375; 2011, 2059; 2015, 2147)