Building Energy Codes 101 October 23, 2013 Matthew Giudice Building Policy Associate Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
OVERVIEW 1. Introduction 2. Energy Code Development 3. Adoption Process 4. Elements of the Code 5. Compliance
What Is The Energy Code Energy Codes are the rules governing the energy use measures that can be installed in a building. Minimum Energy Efficiency Requirements Worst home that can be built National Model Codes Developed by International Code Council and ASHRAE Updated Every 3 Years (Level of Improvement Varies) Current Edition Released in 2012 States/Municipalities Adopt and Enforce the Code
Estimated Site Energy (kbtu/ft2) History Of Energy Codes First Codes in 1975 Code has gotten more stringent over time, with new codes being more than 50% more efficient than the first codes 70 60 50 40 30 ASHRAE Standard 90.1 Progress 14% 3.8% Current Std 90- Std 90A- Std 90.1- Std 90.1-20 Std 90.1-10 Std 11% 10% 23% Std 90.1-0 1970 1980 1990 Year 2000 2010 2020 Std
Energy Use in the United States
Why are Codes Important Reduce Energy Use Impacts Energy Use for the life of a building Improves Overall Building Stock Benefits building owners and operators
Benefits to Building Owners and Operators Reduce Energy Costs Homeownership More Affordable; Lower Operating Costs Savings Accrue Over Life of Building Improves Occupant Comfort and Indoor Air Quality More Money to Invest in Local Economy
CODE DEVELOPMENT Model Energy Codes ICC Code Process
Model Building Energy Codes ASHRAE Standard 90.1 International Energy Conservation Code
International Code Council Code Development Process New Code Published Every Three Years Residential and Commercial Code Now Considered Separately Amendments Accepted from All Parties Code Development Committee Votes on all Amendments Proponents and Opponents Given Opportunity to Present Case Code Change Proposals Submitted Code Development Hearing, Public Testimony Public Comment Period Final Action Hearing New Code Published and Distributed
International Code Council Code Development Process (cont.) After Development Committee Votes; Proponents and Opponents can make written public comments on amendments At Final Action Hearing, Proponents and Opponents may state their case Only State and Local Code Officials can vote on Final Code
ADOPTION PROCESS Statewide Adoption Local Adoption Midwest Status
Adoption Process Some States Adopt Statewide Codes through an Administrative Process Regulatory Agency and Legislative Committee Approval Some States are Home Rule No Statewide Code; all codes adopted locally Some States are Modified Home Rule Some codes adopted statewide, some locally Model codes may be amended
Adoption Process Important to know specific rules Authorizing Statute Code developing body Process differs in each state/municipality Typical Stakeholders Code Officials (state and local), state energy office, builders, architects, engineers, energy advocates, environmental advocates, utilities, manufacturers, construction trades, Policymakers
Residential Building Energy Code Adoption in the Midwest As of October 2013 Code Level / Equivalence No Mandatory Statewide Code 2006 IECC 2009 IECC 2012 IECC 2009 Adopted by Major Municipality Enhanced 2009 Adopted by Major Municipality 2012 Adopted by Major Municipality * In Process to 2012
Commercial Building Energy Code Adoption in the Midwest As of October 2013 Code Level / Equivalence No Mandatory Statewide Code 90.1-2004 90.1-2007 90.1-2010 90.1-2007 Adopted by Major Municipality Enhanced 2007 Adopted by Major Municipality In Process to IECC 2012 / 90.1-2010
ENERGY CODE ELEMENTS Residential Commercial Cost
Prescriptive Path 2012 Residential IECC Climate Zone Fenestration U-Factor Skylight U-Factor Fenestration SHGC Ceiling R-Value Wood Frame Wall R- Value Mass Wall R- Value Floor R- Value Basement Wall R-Value Slab R-Value and Depth Crawl Space Wall R- Value 4 0.35 0.55 0.40 49 20 or 13+5 8/13 19 10/13 10, 2 ft 10/13 5 0.32 0.55 NR 49 20 or 13+5 13/17 30 15/19 10, 2 ft 15/19 6 0.32 0.55 NR 49 20+5 or 13+10 15/20 30 15/19 10, 4 ft 15/19 7 & 8 0.32 0.55 NR 49 20+5 or 13+10 19/21 38 15/19 10, 4 ft 15/19
Definitions R Value: The capacity of a building material to resist heat flow U Factor: Measure of heat flow through building material R is the Inverse of U: R = 1/U and U = 1/R Building Thermal Envelope: Basement walls, exterior walls, floor, roof, and any other building elements that enclose conditioned space or provides a boundary between conditioned space and unconditioned space.
Which Buildings Must Comply? Residential Code 3 stories or less Residential use Commercial Code All non-residential buildings Both Codes apply to: New Construction Additions and major alterations Several Exceptions
Key Measures of Residential Energy Code Wall/Ceiling Insulation (R-values) Air Infiltration/Blower Door Testing Duct Tightness/Duct Insulation Window U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient Efficient Lighting Piping Insulation Whole House Mechanical Ventilation
Commercial Energy Code Measures Building Envelope Requirements Opaque Wall Element Insulation Window Efficiency Daylighting Air Barriers Fenestration Air Leakage Lighting Lighting Power Density Interior and Exterior Lighting Controls HVAC System Efficiency Commissioning Equipment Efficiency Ventilation System Efficiency Economizers Heat Recovery Ventilation Demand Response Ventilation
What About Cost? Incremental Cost of building to 2012 IECC, compared to 2009 IECC: Duct and Blower Door test (Approx: $250) Windows have no net incremental cost Current practice already involves code-level fenestration Above Grade Walls: Increased Insulation Levels Can use either 2x4 or 2x6 construction including advanced framing Ventilation system meeting requirements is widely available and affordable. Air infiltration level can be met with basic caulk and seal package along with attention to major sources of air leakage such as penetrations, bathtubs adjacent to exterior walls, and fireplaces. Costs vary from market to market and building to building Department of Energy has determined the residential code to be cost effective in all climate zones Commercial Incremental Cost Typically Around 5%
COMPLIANCE Paths to Compliance Enforcement Diagnostic Testing
Paths to Compliance Prescriptive Follow specific requirements for insulation levels, windows, air leakage RESCheck/ComCheck (free software released by DOE) Allows tradeoffs within building envelope measures RESCheck: Insulation and Windows COMCheck: Insulation and windows; separate tradeoffs for lighting Performance Building Must perform at least as well as a building built using a standard reference design (roughly equivalent to prescriptive path) Allows tradeoffs among building measures, including envelope, air leakage, duct tightness, and lighting Can show compliant design using software package Code official must still verify that results from software matches both the building plans and building in the field Must comply with mandatory provisions of the code
Who is responsible for Enforcement? Building Code Officials perform: Plan Review Field Inspections Inspections may be done by third party, with approval by code official Builders are responsible for complying with the code
Blower Door Testing Required in 2012 Residential IECC Optional in Previous Code versions Verifies Air Leakage / Tightness of a Building Pressurize or Depressurize building using blower door fan Only indicates how leaky the building is, not necessarily where the leaks are Can be performed any time after all penetrations through building envelope are sealed Best to perform at rough-in, before drywall is installed Easier to correct leakage at this time
Duct Leakage Testing Duct Sealing is mandatory Diagnostic Testing Required if portion of duct system located outside building envelope 2012 IECC requires testing total duct leakage; previous versions allowed testing for leakage to outside
Code Compliance Remains Low Need for training Builders, Code Officials Need for consumer education Limited Resources Building Departments tend to prioritize other sections of the building code
Compliance Strategies Stakeholder Collaboratives Increasing use of third party enforcement Circuit Riders Technical Manuals Utility Support
THANK YOU! Matthew Giudice Building Policy Associate Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance 312-374-0926 mgiudice@mwalliance.org