Based on the 2009 IECC
By: Eric N. George
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Main focus is on the building “envelope”
There are 3 “Compliance Paths” = Prescriptive,
UA Alternative, and Performance Path
Windows = U-factor .35, max = .48
Basement walls = R10 from footer to top
Slab insulation – R10 2 feet deep
Recessed lights – Must be ICAT-labeled (air-tight)
Attic Insulation over exterior top plates = R30
Ducts located in unconditioned space
o Supply ducts = R8
o All other ducts = R6 minimum
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Ducts in unconditioned space must be visually
inspected for air-sealing OR duct-blaster tested
o Max leakage to outside = 8 CFM/100 SF floor area
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Air-tightness of building must be visually inspected
before drywall and/or blower-door tested
o Max air-leakage rate = 7 ACH@50 Pa
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Attic hatches & doors to unconditioned space
must be weather-stripped and insulated to same
R-value as surrounding area
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Fireplaces must have gasketed doors & provide
outside combustion air
Using the Performance Path, the efficiency of the
HVAC system is not considered for compliance.
o The building envelope’s annual energy use must be
equal to the same-size house meeting the prescriptive
requirements.
Conditioned Space:
Any area or room within
a building that is
heated or cooled,
regardless of whether
or not the area or room
is considered “finished
space”.
Ex) Most unfinished
basements are
“conditioned”
Building Thermal Envelope:
The basement walls,
exterior walls, floor,
ceilings, and any other
building element that
enclose the conditioned
space & separate indoors
from outdoors
The new energy code will effect all residential builders
and their subs. Each sub needs to know what is
expected
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Builders
Framers
Windows & doors
Electricians, Plumbers, and HVAC
Insulators
Foundation crews
HERS Raters*
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Which compliance path to choose?
Will there be an HVAC system in the attic?
o What type of HVAC system & efficiency ratings?
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Where and how will the thermal boundary be
established (insulation)?
Where and how the air-barriers will be installed?
What sub will be responsible for each function?
Must ensure that ALL mandatory provisions are
met
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Provide blueprints with all insulation levels,
window & door U-factors
o Blueprints should include square footage per floor, all
exterior dimensions, including window & door R.O.
o Identify areas on blueprints that will need attention before
drywall is installed
o Knee walls facing attic space
o Fireplaces & tubs/showers on exterior walls
o Cantilevers
o Bulkheads, soffits, and chase cavities
o Double walls
o Staircase walls
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R10 perimeter insulation required (2” thick)
Downward from top of slab 24” minimum
Insulation can be vertical or extend horizontally
under the slab or out from the building
o For horizontal, insulation must be under 10” of soil
o Can be angled or tapered off at 45 degree angle at edge
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For unfinished basements, you will need to
insulate to R5 minimum, either exterior or interior
Prescriptively, R10 is required from footer to top of
wall
◦ Using the Performance Path, R5 on the top 4’ around the
entire perimeter often passes
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For “conditioned crawlspaces”, R5-R10 on the
inside of the wall from footer to top
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Optimal framing practices
o “California corners”, ladder-T’s, insulated headers, etc
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Will there be an HVAC system in the attic?
Is there an attic access inside the home?
Where blocking is needed for air-barriers
o Knee walls – On attic side, includes a top & bottom plate
o Cantilevered floors – Fill completely & block above
foundation wall
o Bonus rooms over garages – Block & seal openings to
side attic spaces
Exterior 
Interior
All wall cavities MUST have a six-sided air-barrier!
Top, Bottom, Left, Right, Front, and Back
No top-plate!
All wall cavities MUST have a six-sided air-barrier!
Gable End Walls
No top-plate!
How to insulate properly?
Should be filled
completely with blown-in
insulation or batt that is
thick enough to fill cavity.
Air-seal blocking to
framing with foam or
silicone caulk
Must install blocking
above and behind
soffits if on exterior
walls, or if
unconditioned space is
directly above.
Easiest way to
insulate skylights is
with spray-foam
insulation, otherwise
it’s very difficult to
get the air-barrier
right!
Must extend the FULL
height & width of shower or
tub!
Must be SECURED &
SEALED to framing!
How will this be insulated?
Who will need to do it?
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Install R2 on water lines in a circulating system
o Must install automatic or manual shut-off for when
system is not in use
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Be conscious of the SIZE of the holes they cut!
o Don’t make it any bigger than it has to be!
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Ensure exterior walls behind tubs/showers are
insulated with an interior air-barrier PRIOR to tub
installation.
◦ Can also blow-in insulation through air-barrier, then seal
the holes
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Install ICAT-labeled recessed lights adjacent to
unconditioned space
o ICAT = Insulation Contact Air-Tight
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Prescriptively, install 50% or more CFL or LED
lights in permanent fixtures
o These do not have to be Energy Star “pin-based” fixtures
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IC-Rated and labeled
with no penetrations
between inside and
outside of can.
Sealed with a gasket
and/or can is
caulked/foamed to
drywall ceiling.
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Location of the thermal boundary
Estimated air-leakage rate (for Manual J sizing)
Insulation levels throughout, including window &
door performance data (for Manual J sizing)
Will there be a system located in an unconditioned
attic?
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Heating & cooling load calcs using Manual J or
other approved software
R-8 supply ducts in unconditioned space
o If using Performance Path, use R-6
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R-6 for return air ducts in unconditioned spaces
Sealed duct work with mastic, UL-181 metal tape,
and/or silicone caulk
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One programmable thermostat for each forced-air
system
Heat-pumps must have a control to prevent
emergency heat from coming on too early
R-3 insulation on all piping carrying fluids over 105
degrees or under 55
These are all mandatory requirements!
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ALL duct work must be sealed, including those
located inside conditioned space!
If all ducts are inside conditioned space, no duct
leakage testing required, however must still do a
visual inspection by independent 3rd party (HERS
Rater)
Leakage to outside must be less than 8 CFM/100
SF of floor space serviced (each system)
A Duct Blaster will be used to quantify leakage to
outdoors
HERS Rater must provide certification that ducts meet
Post-Construction standards:
o Leakage to outside <= 8 CFM per 100 SF floor area, OR
o Total leakage <= 12 CFM per 100 SF floor area
Rough-in standards:
o Total leakage with air-handler <= 6 CFM per 100 SF, OR
o Total leakage without air-handler <= 4 CFM per 100 SF
Section 402.4.1 – Building Thermal Envelope
o Requires the envelope to be sealed to limit air-infiltration
o Use flexible, durable sealants to seal different building materials
together. Example – Wood to metal, drywall to wood, etc
o Windows & doors MUST be sealed to framing with minimal
expansion foam. Stuffing fiberglass is NOT allowed!
o All utility penetrations to exterior
o Dropped ceilings, chases, bulkheads, etc that are adjacent to
thermal boundary
o Garage rim joists open to living space, between floors
o Behind bath tubs, showers, and fireplaces on exterior walls
o Double/common walls
o Attic access openings
Section 303.1.1 – Insulation installers shall
provide a certificate listing insulation type,
manufacturer, and R-value installed
Section 303.1.1.1 –
Blown or sprayed
roof/ceiling insulation
must have one depth
marker (ruler) installed
for every 300 SF of attic
space. Ruler should
face attic access to read
easily.
Batt wall insulation should be cut to fit around electrical
boxes, split around plumbing and electrical lines, and not
compressed in any way.
It should completely fill the cavity, including behind lateral
framing and exterior corners
Foundation insulation should be permanently secured
Ceiling insulation should be even and continuous across
exterior top-plates. R30 minimum at edges!
Do not provide enough clearance at ceiling edges for full
amount of insulation!
Provides clearance at ceiling edges for full amount of
insulation!
All attic hatches must be
weather-stripped and
insulated to same R-value
as surrounding area.
Vertical hatches in knee
walls must be sealed and
insulated as well
If building on a ventilated crawlspace or a room over
garage, floor insulation must be in direct contact &
supported against subfloor.
R19 is minimum code in Climate Zone 4 (KY)
Foundations must be insulated to R10 continuous or R13
in framed cavities (Prescriptively)
o For continuous insulation this can be installed on
exterior or interior
All openings to outside are sealed, with no vents needed
The entire perimeter of the crawlspace walls should be
insulated from footer to top with R5 minimum.
Must be mechanically ventilated OR supplied with
conditioned air at 1 CFM per 50 SF floor area
Ground must be covered with 6 mil thick vapor barrier,
overlapped 6” and all seams taped. Plastic should
extend up foundation walls at least 6” and be secured to
wall or insulation.
Eric George
The Building Performance Group
502-509-5535
Eric@BuildingPerformanceGroup.com
www.BuildingPerformanceGroup.com
www.NewKentuckyEnergyCode.com