Ohio slow to go with 'greener' home-building codes

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio has so far not joined other states in adopting new energy efficiency standards for homes amid opposition from homebuilders.

Ohio Home Builders Association vice president Vincent Squillace tells The Columbus Dispatch the proposed codes are “very shortsighted.”

An analysis done for the builders found the recommendations from the International Code Council could add $2,500 to a home’s cost. To make up for that in utility savings would take more than 20 years, according to the study.

Consumer, environmental and civic groups that support the codes contend they would raise a home’s cost by about $800 while providing more than $200 in utility savings a year.

An official with Ohio’s Board of Building Standards says she expects a code to be adopted in 2011.