A federal study found that adopting a higher energy efficiency standard for new home construction would save homeowners nearly 10% annually in energy costs. Credit: ShutterstockBy Emilio Perez IbarguenMichigan’s attempt to adopt new home energy efficiency standards is facing more delays because of stiff resistance from homebuilders. LARA’s proposal is based on the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code, or IECC, a model used by many states to guide energy efficiency in building. However, homebuilders say the code is riddled with redundancies that don’t actually improve energy efficiency but do up the costs. Experts on the housing shortage told Bridge Michigan that rising home costs are the result of several factors and energy efficiency mandates play a relatively small role.