FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2026
Contact: press@theibe.org
ALBANY, NY –Today, the Institute for the Building Envelope (IBE) announced its support for advancing New York Senate Bill S5940 out of the Senate Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development and to the full Senate for consideration. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. James Skoufis, would update New York’s building code to permit unvented attics and unvented enclosed rafter assemblies, sealed with air-impermeable insulation, as a pathway to meet the state’s building energy and decarbonization goals.
S5940 would modernize New York’s building and energy codes by recognizing unvented attic and enclosed rafter assemblies insulated with air-impermeable insulation that meet R-30 performance standards as compliant with the state’s Energy Conservation Construction Code. The legislation also establishes complementary requirements for airtightness, mechanical ventilation, and placement of HVAC equipment and ductwork within the building’s thermal envelope, ensuring both energy efficiency and healthy indoor air quality.
“Advancing S5940 out of committee is an important step toward aligning New York’s building codes with modern building science and the state’s broader climate goals,” said Stephen Wieroniey, Executive Director of the Institute for the Building Envelope. “Allowing unvented attic assemblies insulated with air-impermeable materials provides builders with a proven approach to improving energy performance, supporting electrification with heat pumps, and lowering energy waste in homes across New York.”
New York’s buildings account for roughly one-third of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. As the state works to meet the targets established under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, improving the performance of the building envelope will play a critical role in reducing energy consumption, lowering emissions, and ensuring that clean energy technologies operate as efficiently as possible.
Unvented attic systems insulated with air-impermeable materials help control air leakage, prevent moisture intrusion, and keep HVAC equipment within the conditioned space of the home, reducing energy loss and improving durability and comfort. These design strategies are widely recognized in modern building science as effective tools for delivering high-performance homes.
“The Institute for the Building Envelope was formed to promote innovative, multifunctional materials that improve energy efficiency, safety, and comfort,” Wieroniey added. “S5940 supports those goals while helping New York move toward a more resilient, energy-efficient building stock. We are proud to support this legislation and stand ready to work with policymakers to help advance it.”