How Building Codes and Regulations Are Evolving

Building codes and regulations can be hard to follow. Just when you think you’ve got them figured out, they change. Regulators have good intentions—like increasing health, safety, and sustainability—but some changes are hard to keep up with and come at a big cost. Yet staying up-to-date is crucial to avoid fines and a tarnished reputation. Explore how building codes are changing and what it means for your projects.

Building codes and regulations can be hard to follow. Just when you think you’ve got them figured out, they change. Regulators have good intentions—like increasing health, safety, and sustainability—but some changes are hard to keep up with and come at a big cost. Yet staying up-to-date is crucial to avoid fines and a tarnished reputation. Explore how building codes are changing and what it means for your projects.

The Evolution of Building Codes

Building codes have been around for generations, but they’re more rigorous today than ever before. Sustainability has seen a particularly big push as regulators strive to combat the effects of climate change. Here’s a look at some recent building code updates that impact commercial and industrial businesses.

HVAC Efficiency Standards

• SEER ratings: The Department of Energy (DOE) raised the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) requirements for HVAC systems in January 2023. While residential systems have differing standards in the North and South, the updated minimum rating for single-phase light commercial units installed nationwide is 14 SEER (13.4 SEER2).
• SEER2 implementation: The DOE also introduced SEER2 standards in 2023, which modify efficiency ratings to better reflect real-world conditions. These new metrics apply stricter testing procedures, resulting in higher minimum efficiency requirements for HVAC systems and necessitating upgrades for businesses looking to stay compliant.
• Refrigerant transition: Recent regulations, including the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, mandate the phasedown of high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants like R-410A (Puron). As of January 2025, alternative refrigerants such as R-32 and R-454B, which have lower environmental impacts, have become the standard. This shift requires HVAC system upgrades or replacements to ensure compatibility.
• Advanced controls: Building automation systems are becoming mandatory in large-scale projects, requiring upgrades in control units for HVAC systems.

Building Efficiency Standards

• Envelope tightening: Standards now call for better insulation and air-sealing methods for commercial buildings to minimize energy loss.
• Renewable integration: Many states are encouraging the construction of solar-ready commercial buildings to align with net-zero goals.

Ventilation Codes

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, ventilation codes have gained attention. New standards mandate increased air exchange rates in spaces like offices and schools. This requires dedicated ventilation systems to efficiently replace stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air. Such building code evolution presents new challenges for project planning and execution.

Plumbing Codes

• Low-flow fixtures: Many states have recently adopted stricter commercial plumbing codes requiring low-flow fixtures to meet water conservation goals.
• Legionella control: Updated plumbing codes mandate stricter measures to control Legionella in water systems, particularly in hospitals and large commercial buildings.

Fire and Safety Codes

• Sprinkler systems: More buildings, particularly those with mixed-use spaces, must now include advanced sprinkler systems.
• Smoke control: Updated ventilation codes include stricter requirements for smoke control to improve safety during a fire.

Challenges for Business Owners

Keeping up with changes in building codes is no small feat. Here’s what business owners are up against:

• Compliance costs: Updated codes often come with mandated material and equipment replacement. The new systems are frequently more expensive because they incorporate the latest technologies. While energy-efficient upgrades are intended to save money in the long term, the upfront costs can strain budgets.
• Code complexity: Some building codes are federally mandated, while others are enforced at the state or local level. With different requirements depending on where you operate, navigating the rules can quickly become overwhelming. Many businesses lack the in-house expertise to interpret and implement complex code changes. As a result, they risk project delays, rework, or fines for non-compliance.
• Time constraints: Adopting stricter building codes requires time to learn and understand the new regulations. For business owners, this often means stepping away from day-to-day operations to interpret complex requirements, coordinate with contractors, and ensure compliance. The divided focus may impair critical aspects of running a business, leading to lost productivity and added stress.

How Hayes Mechanical Can Help

Understanding recent changes in building codes and standards can be overwhelming, but Hayes Mechanical makes it easier. With over a century of experience, we offer practical solutions for HVAC, plumbing, and mechanical systems that meet today’s stringent standards. Our expert team keeps up with building regulation trends to ensure your systems are designed and maintained with efficiency and regulatory compliance in mind.

We help business owners upgrade their HVAC equipment, retrofit their plumbing systems, and add building automation in Chicago, IL, and six other locations across the US. As a trusted partner with a legacy of honesty and integrity, we stand ready to simplify your compliance challenges. Contact us today to ask if you’re in our service area.