Arkansas Energy Code

Brokers need to know that the new 1994 Arkansas Energy Code for new home and commercial building construction was effective as of June 1, 1995. Home buyers that purchase a home built after this date will be able to file civil suits against their builder if he/she fails to build the home to the new standards. The Arkansas Energy Office, within the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission, or the local code enforcement authority will be responsible for investigating consumer complaints and conducting spot-home inspections to determine whether builders are complying with the new Code.

The Arkansas Energy Code Regulations, which were driven by the Federal Energy Policy Act of 1992, now hold home builders and building professionals responsible for observance of the 1994 Arkansas Energy Code for new home and commercial building construction. Each builder will be required to place a signed certification seal on the inside of a new home to identify that provisions of the 1994 Arkansas Energy Code have been met. The adhesive seal must be placed on the heating or cooling equipment cabinet or the electrical service panel where it is readily visible to the building occupant and inspectors. Homes with financing guaranteed through the federal HUD, FmHA, FHA, and VA already must comply with National Energy Standards which are contained in the Arkansas Energy Code. Home buyers benefit from modified loan underwriting procedures for these federal programs which allow a 2 percent increase to the debt to income ratio for qualifying homes.

For more information about the 1994 Arkansas Energy Code, contact
Susan Recken at the Arkansas Energy Office at
1-800-558-2633 outside of Little Rock, or 682-6235 in Little Rock.

Source: March 1996 AREC Newsletter