Presents
2012 Revisions to the NC Energy Code For Residential
Building started after March 1, 2012
THERMAL ENVELOPE
AIR BARRIERS
Skylights, Windows and Doors:
Must meet the R value requirements set
forth in table 1102.1
INSULATION
Should be installed in constant contact
with the air barrier and should be free of gaps,
voids or compression
Must be properly installed and incapsulated
behind tubs and showers, under stairs, inside
fireplace cavities and behind attic walls.
THERMAL ENVELOPE
INSULATION CONT.
For framed walls cavity insulation must be
surrounded on all sides with a rigid material or
air barrier such as plywood, sheetrock or
thermal ply.
All walls floors and ceilings must be air
sealed. That includes chases and dropped
ceilings which must be capped.
To separate conditioned space with
unconditioned space, blocks must be placed
directly under knee walls
THERMAL ENVELOPE
INSULATION CONT.
ACCESS HATCHES & DOORS:
All access doors and hatches
must be weather stripped and
insulated. Vertical access doors on
require R-5 insulation. Horizontal
access doors require R-10 insulation.
One exception is pull down stairs will
be insulated to an R-5 value.
(Remember that non-rigid insulation is
not allowed but attic hatches that
enclose the stair system are allowed.)
If exposed foam plastic is used on any
access make sure it meets the NC
provisions for residential code
THERMAL ENVELOPE
INSULATION CONT.
CEILINGS W/OUT ATTIC SPACE ABOVE:
Cathedral ceilings, bay windows,
and other areas with out sufficient
space for insulation may meet the
minimum requirement of R-30. The
reduction in the requirement is limited
to 500 sq. ft. Any area greater than
500 sq. ft. must meet the R value
requirement as listed in table 1102.1
for your climate zone.
THERMAL ENVELOPE
INSULATION CONT.
CEILINGS WITH ATTIC SPACE ABOVE:
Attics that are fully enclosed
require an insulation of R-30.
Where space is limited, for
example, where the roof, ceilings and
wall assemblies adjoin, insulation
must on fill the space up to the air
baffles.
DECORATIVE DOORS & WINDOWS
Builder’s are now allowed 15 sq.
ft. of non-compliant U- factor and
solar heat gain coefficient.
THERMAL ENVELOPE
HVAC & DUCTS
Heating and cooling equipment must be sized in accordance to NC mechanical code.
The energy efficiency of these machines must be in NAECA minimum standards.
3 CONSIDERATIONS FOR DUCT INSULATION
1.In conditioned space where heat and AC are
always available no insulation is required.
2. In semi-conditioned spaces such as closed crawl
spaces and sealed attics, R-4 insulation is required.
3. In unconditioned space, such as vented crawl
spaces and unconditioned attics require R-8
insulation.
All ducts, air handlers, filter boxes and building cavities used as return ducts must be
sealed
THERMAL ENVELOPE
HVAC & DUCTS
DUCT TESTING
Duct testing is required. Total
duct leakage must be less than
or equal to 6 cubic ft per min for
every 100 sq. ft. of conditioned
floor area when tested at a
pressure differential of 25
pascals.
Results must be properly noted on the energy
efficiency certificate.
THERMAL ENVELOPE
LIGHTING FIXTURES
When recessed lighting fixtures are used in the
thermal envelope, they must be sealed with a
gasket or caulk between the housing and the
ceiling covering.
A minimum of 75% of the bulbs installed in
permanent light fixtures must be high-efficiency.
THERMAL ENVELOPE
PERMANENT CERTIFICATE
A permanent certificate must be completed by the builder, permit holder,
or a registered design professional, then posted in one of the several
approved locations in the finished house.
1. On or in the electrical distribution panel as long as it doesn’t block or
cover circuit directory labels.
2. A kitchen cabinet.
3. In the attic by the insulation card.
4.Or another location as specified in the code.
This concludes our presentation of the 2012 NC
Energy Conservation Code Amendments as of
March 1, 2012
Thank You from all of us at
1721 Allen’s Lane Suite, 202 Wilmington, NC 28403 (910) 256 5313
www.kenthomes.net