New building codes to arrive in February

COLFAX — New statewide building codes take effect Feb. 1.

Items the new code will affect include types of heat pumps, water heaters, insulation, heat-recovery ventilation and the amount of required panes in windows.

“The significant changes are with the Washington State Residential Energy Code,” State Building Code Council Managing Director Richard Brown said.

The updates stem from a 2009 state mandate to target energy reduction by 2030. In energy credits, this takes it from 3.5 energy credits to six required for a 2,000-square-foot house.

“I don’t think it’ll be real popular,” Whitman County...