City Council Minutes 2022 02 01 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Meeting Minutes February 1, 2022 Page 5 of 12 Appendix. The adopted code includes, Electric Vehicle (EV) readiness, electric -ready amendment, solar readiness appendix and Residential Net -Zero appendix. A Department of Energy analysis indicates that the 2021 IECC results in a 9% energy savings over the 2018 IECC and a 51% energy savings over energy codes predominant in the early 1990s. After the fire, the City had Group 14 Engineering develop an analysis of different cost scenarios for a 2,820 square foot, 4 bedroom, 3 bath home constructed in 1991. Boulder Creek Neighborhoods and Markel Homes provided the cost information. Scenarios used the 2018 IECC, as amended was the baseline, and compared it to the same building under the Residential Net -Zero, 2021 IECC, as amended with Residential Net -Zero (natural gas) and 2021 IECC, as amended with Residential Net Zero (all electric). The initial numbers show the cost to upgrade from the 2018 IECC to the 2021 IECC was $8,360. The cost to upgrade to the 2021 IECC, as amended without the Residential Net - Zero was $14,270. The cost to upgrade to the 2021 IECC, as amended with the Residential Net -Zero (natural gas) was $19,780. The cost to update to the 2021 IECC, as amended with the Residential Net -Zero (all electric) was $33,795. Costs associated with the power source to get the home to net zero. Modeled out over 15 years the owner can do either renewables on or off site. It is unlikely that solar could be 100% provided on site and will need to be supplemented offsite. The code requires a 15- year commitment with a solar garden or other offsite energy provider. Insurance varies by policy, and the city is still trying to understand the level of underinsurance. Some policies may require the homeowner to cover all upgrades from original construction, others can be limited or capped. However staff is starting to see offers to offset these costs. We still need to understand what will be firm commitments, and if there is the ability of homeowners to pass through incentives to homebuilders. There are other issues such as pricing volatility and supply chain issues. The less common the equipment the more challenging it is to reliably source. Councilmember Fahey asked if the natural gas costs in the 15-year total include purchasing green credits such as solar or wind credits. Principal Planner Ritchie responded that these costs assume the homeowner has enrolled in a solar garden for 15 years. Councilmember Fahey asked how the city will manage rebates and discounts. Principal Planner Ritchie said they are still working on that process. There is ongoing work in firming up commitments and how to guarantee homeowner's get all the rebates available to them. Councilmember Most asked about the unofficial offer for heavily discounted heat pump systems and what applying that discount would do to the cost in the analysis. Principal Planner Ritchie responded there were no specifics at this time.