IMT’s Code Compliance Experts have completed five case studies that reveal low-cost strategies for local governments to improve energy efficiency in residential and commercial buildings in their jurisdictions. The case studies were performed in several states throughout the U.S. and cover a wide range of effective strategies that were successfully implemented. In the City of Austin, Texas, the adoption and implementation of a requirement for third-party testing to verify compliance with energy codes in new residential buildings has bolstered energy efficient residential construction. The process of designing and adopting a third-party testing requirement has generated awareness among developers, home builders, and contractors of the need to achieve minimum energy efficiency standards. Implementation of a code-required testing program has held these stakeholders more accountable for seeing that these standards are met. The end result: higher energy code compliance rates in newly constructed homes.