Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Establish a foundation
for energy and green
programs:
• ENERGY STAR,
• LEED homes and
commercial buildings,
• ASHRAE Standard 189
• Building America/ federal tax incentive, and
• Net-zero energy buildings
What is the IECC?
A Required
Minimum Level of
Energy Efficiency
In New Residential
and Commercial
Construction
Code Status
Energy Code Requirements
Universal (Basic) requirements (apply everywhere):
Duct insulation and sealing
Infiltration control
• Including recessed cans
Outdoors
Conditioned
Space
The intent of the energy code is to regulate the design of the building
envelope to enable the effective use of energy.
Building Envelope Specific
Requirements
• Above grade
Conditioned space
• Below grade
• Mass walls
• Floors
• Slab
• Crawl space
R-Values
Basic Requirements
Prescriptive
Package REScheck
Software
Scope
Residential Buildings:
• IRC only for single-family, duplex, and townhouses
• IECC has all low-rise (1-3 stories) houses, condos, and
apartments [R-2, R-3, R-4], but not hotels/motels [R-1]
• All buildings that are not ―residential‖ by definition are
―commercial‖
Additions
Exisitng Kithen
Existing Family room Exisitng
Dining
NEW
Addition
SUNROOM
N
Other Areas that Must Comply
Alterations, renovations
and repairs
e.g., window replacements
Exceptions
Basic Requirements
Prescriptive
Package REScheck
Software
Basic Requirements
• Air Leakage
• Vapor Retarder
• Materials and Equipment
Information
• Duct Insulation
• Duct Construction
• Temperature Controls Building Plans
• HVAC
• Piping Insulation
• Service Hot Water Systems
Areas for Air Leakage (Infiltration)
• Windows and doors
• Between sole plates
• Floors and exterior
wall panels
• Plumbing
• Electrical
• Service access doors
or hatches
• Recessed light
fixtures
Air Infiltration
• Effects of Windwashing
Reduces insulation's effectiveness/installed
R-value
Reduces overall comfort
Places unnecessary stress on HVAC system
Increases energy consumption
Effect of Wind on Installed R-Value
14
12 Effective R-Value of wall
Wall System
10 without proper air sealing
Installed R-Value
( F x ft.² x h/BTU) 8
6
4
2
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
*Test data by Holimetrix. ASTM Wind Speed (M.P.H.)
E283,ASTM E1424,C976
Infiltration Control
Infiltration Control
Chimney Chase Air Sealing
Rock wool with heavy
Flashing, caulked duty aluminum foil
at each side rolled around it --
Caulk to chimney and
framing
Another Area To Be Sealed
Another Area To Be Sealed
Sealed !
Through Framing Air Sealing
blocking
conditioned
unconditioned
(e.g. - garage,
balcony)
Foundations!
Seal
Foundation
Penetrations!
Air Infiltration
We have learned
much over the years
from the “Blower
Door Test”
Blower Door Test
Depressurizes the House
to Measure the Over-all
Air Leakage Rate
Attention to Air Sealing
is Important!
Air Leakage can
account for a major
amount of home heat
loss, and lead to other
performance problems
Energy Star Labeled Homes
®
• Air Leakage
• Vapor Retarder
• Materials and Equipment
Information
• Duct Insulation
• Duct Construction
• Temperature Controls Building Plans
• HVAC
• Piping Insulation
• Service Hot Water Systems
Basic Requirement
Vapor
Retarders Siding
Install on “warm- Sheathing
in-winter side” of
Building Envelope Studs &
Insulation
Use in unvented Vapor Vapor Retarder
Sheet
framed walls, Rock
floors, and ceilings
Another Example:
Kraft-Faced Vapor
Retarder
Crawl Floor Vapor Barrier
Basic Requirements
• Air Leakage
• Vapor Retarder
• Materials and Equipment
Information
• Duct Insulation
• Duct Construction
• Temperature Controls Building Plans
• HVAC
• Piping Insulation
• Service Hot Water Systems
NFRC Window Information
Old New
R-
By A Professional Insulation Contractor
The insulation in this attic was installed by a qualified professional
Contractor to the R-value stated above
Certificate of Insulation
BUILDING ADDRESS: CONTRACTOR:
______________________________ ______________________________
______________________________ ______________________________
______________________________ ______________________________
Installation Date: _______________ License #: _____________________
• Air Leakage
• Vapor Retarder
• Materials and Equipment
Information
• Duct Insulation
• Duct Construction
• Temperature Controls Building Plans
• HVAC
• Piping Insulation
• Service Hot Water Systems
Ducts
• Insulation
Ducts outside the building
envelope shall be insulated
to R-8
R-6 allowed for ducts in
floor trusses
• Sealing
• Building framing cavities shall not be used as supply
ducts
Duct Sealing
•Duct Sealing
•Crawl floor Vapor barrier
Duct Installation
• Avoid Tight
Bends
• Minimize
Sagging
• Size Properly
• Place Inside the
Envelope (good
practice)
Basic Requirements
• Air Leakage
• Vapor Retarder
• Materials and Equipment
Information
• Duct Insulation
• Duct Construction
• Temperature Controls Building Plans
• HVAC
• Piping Insulation
• Service Hot Water Systems
Mandatory Requirements Systems
• Ventilation
Outdoor air intakes and exhausts shall have automatic or gravity
dampers that close when the ventilation system is not operating
• Equipment Sizing
IECC references Section M1401.3 of the IRC
Load calculations determine the proper capacity (size) of equipment
• Goal is big enough to ensure comfort but
no bigger
Calculations shall be performed in accordance
with ACCA Manual J or other approved methods
Compliance/Documentation/Inspections
Basic Requirements
Residential Bldgs
Compliance
Options
• U-factor Alternative
Similar to Prescriptive but uses U-factors
instead of R-values
• Allows for innovative or less common construction
techniques such as structural insulated panels or
log walls
• Total UA Alternative
Same as U-factor alternative but allows trade-
offs across all envelope components
• Approach used in REScheck software
Chapter 4 – Performance Approach
Proposed
Energy Use
Design
of Proposed
Design less
than
Energy
Standard Estimation Energy Use
Design Tool of Standard
Design
(“Proposed Building
Meeting the Energy Code
Requirements”)
Simulated Performance
• Requires computer software with specified capabilities (local official
may approve other tools)
• Includes both envelope and equipment
• Allows greatest flexibility. Credits features such as:
High efficiency furnaces, air-conditioners, etc.
Tight ducts (must be leak tested) or hydronic systems
Exterior shading, favorable orientation, thermal mass, SHGC,
etc.
• Section 404 specifies ―ground rules‖
These will generally be ―hidden‖ in compliance software
calculation algorithms
Very similar ground rules are used in new home federal tax
credits and ENERGY STAR Home guidelines
Systems Approach
www.resnet.org
Thermal Envelope
Prescriptive Package
U-factor
Requirements:
• NFRC Rating for all
Manufactured
Fenestration; or
• Tables N1101.5 U-
factor Default Table for
Windows, Glazed
Doors and Skylights
Exceptions:
Unrated double-pane with thermal
break comply in Zones 2 and 3
Thermal Envelope Fenestration
• An area weighted average of fenestration can be
used to satisfy the U-factor & SHGC
requirements
Area-weighted average U-factor and SHGC are
subject to hard limits, even in trade-offs
NFRC rated and certified
15 sq. ft. of glazing (and one opaque door) may be
exempted (prescriptive path only)
• For example, decorative glass on/near front door
Windows – U-Factors
• R- Value
Requirements
based on
Continuous insulation
Insulation between
framing (cavity)
• Meet or exceed R-
values
Standard Roof Truss
• Raised Heel/Energy
Truss credit if
insulation is full
height over exterior
wall
R-30 instead of R-38
R-38 instead of R-49
Above Grade Walls
Insulate walls including those
next to unconditioned spaces
Don’t
forget to
insulate
rim joists
Insulation Installation
“Cut-To-Fit!” Right Wrong
For Wiring
Electric Boxes
Right Wrong
Insulation Installation
NO GAPS!
Insulation Voids
Insulation R-
Value
% of air voids in
cavity
Wall Insulation
Insulation Installation
Knee Wall Insulation
Wall Insulation
Mass Walls
• What type
Concrete block, concrete, insulated concrete form
(ICF), masonry cavity, brick (other than brick veneer),
earth, and solid timber/logs
• Provisions
At least 50% of the required R-value must be on the
exterior or integral to the wall
If insulation placement cannot be met, provisions for
wood frame wall insulation requirements apply (with
specific U-factor and R-value exceptions in zones 1—
3)
Cold-Formed Steel
Wood Frame R-value Equivalent R-value
Steel Truss Ceilings
Steel-frame
R-30 R-38 or R-30 + 3 or R-26 +
5
R-38 R-49 or R-38 + 3
R-49 R-38 + 5
Ceilings,
Steel Joist Ceilings
R-30 R-38 in 2x4, 2x6, or 2x8 walls,
R-38
R-49 any framing
R-49 2x4, 2x6, 2x8, or 2x10
and
Steel Framed Wall floors
R-13 R-13 +5 or R-15 +4, or R-21
+3
R-19 R-13 + 9 or R-19 +8 or R-
25 +7
R-21 R-13 +10 or R-19 +9 or R-
25 +8
Steel Joist Floor
R-13 R-19, 2x6
R-19 +6 in 2x8 or 2x10
R-19 R-19 +6, 2x6
R-19 +12 in 2x8 or 2x10
Below-Grade Walls
4’
4’
Grade Line
4’
4’
• Insulation must
maintain permanent
contact with underside
of subfloor
Crawlspaces
Crawl Space Wall Insulation
Several Options:
depth
grade
depth
grade grade
rigid rigid
insulation insulation
Basic Requirements
Prescriptive
Package REScheck
Software
Implementation Challenges
Pre-Inspection
Foundation
Inspection
Framing &
Insulation
Inspection
Final
Inspection
Field Inspections (Section 105)
Floor Insulation
Above Grade Wall Insulation
Slab-Edge Insulation Ceiling Insulation
Basement Wall Insulation Duct Insulation
Crawl Space Wall Insulation Vapor Retarder
Notes on:
Duct sealing
Air sealing for the building envelope
Circulation loop pipe insulation for water
heating
IC rated / air-tight recessed can lights
Foundation Inspection
Types of Foundation Insulation:
Slab-Edge
Basement Exterior
Insulation (if installed)
Crawl Space (Vented or
Un-vented)
Check:
R-Value or Thickness of Insulation Compared to
Plans
Depth of Insulation Compared to Code & Plans
Exterior Insulation Must be Protected
Remember Rim/Band Joist Area
Framing & Insulation Inspection
Air sealing:
Around all plumbing and electrical
penetrations, including between
the sheet-rock and electrical boxes
and where the wiring penetrates
the box
Between the duct boot and the
sub-floor or sheetrock
At the attic and crawlspace
panels
Around Windows and Doors
Between the top and bottom plates and also around
the perimeter joist on a floor assembly between two
conditioned floors
Around tubs and showers
At recessed lights
Framing & Insulation Inspection
• ICC Website
www.iccsafe.org
• BCAP
www.bcap-energy.org
CONCLUSION
Energy Codes Benefit Your
Community!
THANK YOU!