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Michigan Court of Claims Halts Implementation of New Energy Efficiency Requirements for New Homes

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A recent dispute between home builders and the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs has led to a pause in implementing new energy efficiency requirements for new homes in Michigan. The Home Builders Association of Michigan and the Michigan Manufactured Homes Association challenged the new requirements, arguing that they would increase construction costs and drive up costs for homebuyers. The new rules, set to take effect on August 29, 2025, would have updated Michigan's residential construction code and its uniform energy code using the 2021 edition of the International Residential Code.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Michigan Court of Claims has issued a pause on implementing new energy efficiency requirements for new homes, following a challenge from two home builders associations.
  • The Home Builders Association of Michigan and the Michigan Manufactured Homes Association argued that the new requirements would increase construction costs and drive up costs for homebuyers.
  • The new requirements would have updated Michigan's residential construction code and its uniform energy code using the 2021 edition of the International Residential Code.
  • The department must ensure that qualified buyers are not priced out by the new standards and that the costs of principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and utilities will not be greater than they were under the previous energy efficiency rules.
  • The department agreed with the builders associations to hold off on implementing the codes until the case has been resolved.
  • The 2015 version of the International Residential Code and the residential provisions of the 2015 International Energy Code will continue to dictate energy efficiency requirements for Michigan builders until the case is resolved.

Statistics:

  • The new energy efficiency requirements were set to take effect on August 29, 2025.
  • The requirements would have updated Michigan's residential construction code and its uniform energy code using the 2021 edition of the International Residential Code.
  • The department will continue to use the 2015 edition of the International Residential Code and the 2015 International Energy Code.

Sources:

  • https://michiganadvance.com/subscribe

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