Minnesota Energy Codes Compliance Collaborative. Alison K. Lindburg Policy Director Fresh Energy

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1 Minnesota Energy Codes Compliance Collaborative Alison K. Lindburg Policy Director Fresh Energy November 12, 2015

2 Current energy code status Compliance Collaborative Issues Identified Success to-date Moving Forward

3 Status of MN Energy Codes

4 Updates to Commercial from ASHRAE to IECC 2012 Went into effect June 2, 2015 About 30% more energy efficient than previous code ASHRAE option. Includes mandatory commissioning for both options Lighting upgrades

5 Updates to Residential amended IRC 2006 to amended IECC 2012 Went into effect February 14, 2015 Roughly 20% more efficient than current Mandatory blower door test 3ACH(50) *trade-off for less foundation insulation 2.6ACH(50) More efficient windows, insulation Mandatory duct blaster test for ducts in unconditioned space Balanced ventilation (added by DLI)

6 Energy Codes Compliance Collaborative What: A group of stakeholders that come together on a regular basis to explore common interests and address obstacles related to energy code compliance Why: To establish a forum for identifying and tackling obstacles to improving energy code compliance (eventual goal 100%) 6

7 Mission Statement Our mission is to facilitate compliance with the building energy codes in Minnesota through a collaborative stakeholder effort, to better coordinate actions affecting energy code compliance, and to identify and prioritize steps needed to achieve compliance with building energy codes.

8 The responsibilities of Collaborative members are: to advise on a "common practices" document related to interpretation and verification, to serve as a reliable source of information on energy code compliance, to develop strategies to increase compliance rates, including education, training, and outreach, to assist with securing stable sources of funding dedicated to the improvement of code compliance, to be open to exploring other directions if the group so chooses, and to ensure that municipalities, builders, designers, lenders, appraisers, consumers, policymakers, and other stakeholders have the knowledge and tools they need to evaluate and assign value to building energy efficiency and energy code compliance.

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10 Accomplishments Held three whole-collaborative meetings to identify biggest issues and solutions with meeting new energy codes. Attendance included utilities, builders, energy raters and advocates, city and state officials Identification of biggest concerns and issues Created five subcommittees (Interpretation & Verification, Education & Training, Commercial, Policy, and Multi-family)

11 Accomplishments The Interpretation and Verification committee completed a "Common Practices" document to assist building officials with new aspects of the residential energy code. Three cities have officially signed on, with others to come. Website went live Created FAQs Planning education/training events

12 Biggest concerns to meeting energy code Access to codes and interpretations Foundation/Basement Insulation (moisture issues & siding to grade w/exterior insulation) Understanding of building science Blower Door Test (who, when, and what happens if a building doesn t pass) Consistent enforcement/prioritization of energy codes Meeting balanced ventilation without HRV/ERV Boundary definition of conditioned space for living spaces above garages vs. meeting duct requirements

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14 R Building thermal envelope testing. The building or dwelling unit shall be tested and verified as having an air leakage rate of not exceeding 3 air changes per hour. Testing shall be conducted with a blower door at a pressure of 50 Pascals (0.2 inches w.g.) Where required by the code official, testing shall be conducted by an approved third party. A written report of the results of the test shall be signed by the party conducting the test and provided to the code official. Testing shall be performed at any time after creation of all penetrations of the building thermal envelope. During testing: 1. Exterior windows and doors, fireplace and stove doors shall be closed. 2. Dampers shall be closed. 3. Interior doors shall be open. 4. Exterior doors for HRVs and ERVs shall be closed. 5. Heating and cooling systems shall be turned off. 6. Supply and return registers shall be fully open. R COMMENTARY: Blower door testing should follow the RESNET Standard for Performance Testing, found in Chapter 8, Section 802 of the RESNET Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating System Standards. Recommended training and certification for the party conducting the testing to include one of the following: RESNET Home Energy Raters (HERS) Certificate Building Performance Institute (BPI) Building Analyst, Energy Auditor, Infiltration and Duct Leakage Certificate, Quality Control Inspector Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) Energy Auditor Southface Institute Duct and Envelope Tester (DET) Certificate Dunwoody Residential Energy Auditor

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21 Needs Funding for facilitation of the collaborative, participant involvement, training, and other efforts Compliance studies! Additional involvement from utilities Official participation from the MN Department of Labor and Industry, MN Department of Commerce, and the local Building Associations Signal from DLI about ERI

22 Lesson Learned Volunteers only have so much time and can get burned out easily Multi-family, ventilation, and ducts are the biggest concerns An official compliance study will help all stakeholders understand where next efforts are needed. Talking about compliance can lead to interest in passing better codes.

23 Residential compliance anecdotes 10-15% of homes need duct testing (ducts are in unconditioned space). Extremely low failure rates for blower door tests. Average is probably ACH(50). Very small numbers of builders are doing optional R10 exterior foundation insulation only, with 2.6 ACH(50). Most are building R10 exterior, R 5 interior.

24 Contact Information Alison Lindburg, Fresh Energy Isaac Elnecave, MEEA