In September 2022, the Chicago City Council passed the 2022 Chicago Energy Transformation Code, which requires that new buildings are constructed in alignment with stronger energy efficiency and electrification standards to advance decarbonization. Chicago becomes one of the first major U.S. cities to adopt and exceed the 2021 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code.
Changes in this revision to the code include requirements related to energy-efficient lighting; designing certain commercial building roofs to support future solar panel installations; constructing residential buildings with infrastructure that enables a future switch to electric-powered appliances; and incentives for smart HVAC and water appliances that integrate with the power grid to reduce demand during peak use.