A bill requiring federal building code changes reap benefits for home and building owners more quickly has the backing of the NAHB.

The National Association of Home Builders is supporting the Energy Savings and Building Efficiency Act, introduced Tuesday by Reps. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.).

"By requiring that any code or proposal supported by the Department of Energy has a payback of 10 years or less, the bill would allow home owners to invest in energy-efficient windows, lighting and other features that will significantly reduce their utility bills," said NAHB Chairman Kevin Kelly, a home builder and developer from Wilmington, Del.

The bill also would ban the department from pushing certain technologies, building materials or construction practices, supporters say.

"The agency's strong suit is technical analysis and its calculations on payback and efficiency can help code officials make more informed decisions and result in cost-effective code change proposals," Kelly said. "That transparency leads to better building."