Helping Massachusetts Municipalities Create a Greener Energy Future
Code Informational
Session
November 13, 2013
Introduction to the
IECC 2012 Energy Code
Agenda
What
&
Why?
Changes
Future
The wonderful world of
Acronyms
ASHRAE
American Society of Heating, Refrigeration
and Air-Conditioning Engineers
ICC
International Codes Council
IECC
International Energy Conservation Code
IRC
International Residential Code
DOER
Department of Energy Resources
HERS
Home Energy Rating
DOE
Department of Energy
IECC and ASHRAE Codes
 ICC & ASHRAE develop model building codes
and standards for the US.
 ICC: publishes IECC energy code
 3 year cycle IECC 2009, IECC 2012, IECC 2015
 ASHRAE: publishes 90.1 standard
 3 year cycle 90.1-2007, 90.1-2010
The World of Codes
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1980’s through 2006
 Minimum codes were truly minimal
 DOE pushed for marginal improvements (1% to 3% per
cycle)
 DOE proposed (successfully) a major rewrite of the IECC in
2004 (became the 2006 IECC)—emphasis was format, not
stringency
2009 to present
 The world has changed
ICC/DOE working from two goals
 30% improvement in 2012 IECC (relative to 2006)
 50% improvement in 2015 IECC (relative to 2006)
What in the world has changed?
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What is driving the changes to the code:
 Public interest
 Political will
 Pull at ICC
What in the world has changed?
 More efficiency making it into codes
 More detail/complexity being pushed onto code officials
 More need for expertise and analysis tools in code
process
 Less distinction between code, beyond-code programs
Massachusetts Energy Code
History

6th edition of the building code had a MA specific energy code
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7th edition adopted IECC 2006
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Commercial bldgs. ASHRAE 90.1-2004
8th edition adopted IECC 2009 on July 1, 2010
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Roughly 10-15% more efficient than IECC 2006
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Commercial bldgs. ASHRAE 90.1-2004 remains
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Also in 2010 the edition of the “Stretch Code” appendix
IEC C 2012 was adopted on 7/1/2013

Designed to be 30% better than IECC 2009

Stretch Code
IECC 2015 coming soon….
IECC 2012
What was added with IECC 2009
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Lighting added to IECC scope (at least 50% of
lamps must be ―high efficacy)
Mandatory duct system pressure test
Insulation R-Values increases
No equipment-envelope trade-offs
12% to 15% better than 2006 IECC
2012 IECC –Overview
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Approximately 30% more efficient than the
2006 IECC
Now constitutes (by reference) the energy
chapter of the International Residential Code
(IRC)
Retains 2009 IECC’s prohibition on envelopeequipment tradeoffs
Contains a few major and many minor changes
Structure of the 2012 IECC
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Ch. 1 Scope and Application / Administrative
and Enforcement
Ch. 2 Definitions
Ch. 3 General Requirements
 Ch.
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4 Residential Energy Efficiency
Ch. 5 Referenced Standards
Index
Scope of Section R101
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Defines Residential Buildings as:
 One- and two-family dwellings, townhouses of any size
and R-2, R-3, R-4 ≤ 3 stories
 All buildings that are not “residential” by definition are
“commercial”
 Includes additions, alterations, renovations and repairs
Existing buildings
Buildings designated as historic
Very low energy use buildings [<3.4 Btu/h-ft2 or 1
watt/ft2]
Scope Section R101- Additions
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Treat as a stand-alone building
Additions must meet the prescriptive
requirements in Table 402.1.1 (or U-factor or
total UA alternatives)
Scope Section - Additions,
Alterations, Renovations, Repairs
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Code applies to any new construction
Unaltered portion(s) do not need to comply
Additions can comply alone or in combination
with existing building
Replacement fenestration that includes both
glazing and sash must meet

U-factors in all Climate Zones 2-8
Climate Zones for the 2012 IECC
Scope Section R101 - Additions, Alterations,
Renovations, Repairs-Exceptions
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Storm windows over existing fenestration
Glass-only replacements
Exposed, existing ceiling, wall or floor cavities if already filled with
insulation
Where existing roof, wall or floor cavity isn’t exposed
Reroofing for roofs where neither sheathing nor insulation exposed
Insulate above or below the sheathing
Roofs without insulation in the cavity
Sheathing or insulation is exposed
Lighting alterations if:
 <50% of luminaries in a space are replaced
 Only bulbs and ballasts within existing luminaries are replaced
(provided installed interior lighting power isn’t increased)
Scope Section R101 - Space
Conditioning
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Any non-conditioned space
that is altered to become
conditioned space shall be
required to be brought into
full compliance with this code
Examples:
Converting a garage to a family
room
 Heating an unfinished
basement

Scope Section R101 - Mixed Use
Buildings
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Treat the residential occupancy under the
applicable residential code
Treat the commercial occupancy under the
commercial code
Overview of Code Structure
Climate-Specific
Requirements:
 Roofs
 Above grade walls
 Foundations
 Basements
 Slabs
 Crawlspaces
 Skylights, windows, and
doors
Mandatory Requirements
(apply everywhere):
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Infiltration control
Duct insulation, sealing, and
testing
HVAC controls
Piping Insulation
Equipment sizing
Dampers
Lighting
Overview of IECC 2012
Residential Code Requirements
Focus is on:
Building envelope ceilings, walls, windows, floors, foundations
Sets insulation and fenestration levels, and solar heat gain coefficients
Infiltration control - caulk and seal to prevent air leaks, and test
Ducts, air handlers, filter boxes – seal, insulate, and test
Limited space heating, air conditioning, and water heating requirements
Federal law sets most equipment efficiency requirements, not the I-codes
No appliance requirements
Lighting equipment – 75% of lamps to be high-efficacy lamps or 75% of
lighting fixtures to have only high-efficacy lamps
Compliance
IECC Terminology
Prescriptive, UA/U-Factor and Performance
Mandatory requirements
 Required and cannot be traded down, even in the
simulated performance path
Some elements have “hard limits”aka, “trade-off limits”
 a prescriptive requirement that can only be traded so far
 performance requirements can only be traded so far
IECC Compliance - Three
Options
Code Compliance Tools
Overview of the 2012 Energy
Code
The 2012 code requires a better envelope,
insulation, ducts, windows, mechanical and more
efficient lighting than the 2009 code.
2012 IECC Major Changes
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Duct leakage rates lowered
Domestic hot water piping must be either
 Insulated to R3, or
 Short and skinny (i.e., exempted lengths depend on
diameter)
Eliminated ―leakage to outdoors option for ducts
 From 12 to 4 CFM/100sf CFA (after construction)
 From 6 to 4 CFM/100sf CFA (at rough-in)
Various R-value/U-factor/SHGC improvements
2012 IECC Major Changes

New mandatory wholehouse pressure test
(blower door) with
stringent required
leakage rates
Zones 3-8: ≤ 3 ACH
@50 Pa
 Address fireplaces and
recessed lighting
fixtures
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Air Tightness Requirements
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Compliance
The 2012 code provides a lot of leeway to the local
inspector; according to the code, “Where required
by the code official, an approved third party shall
inspect all components and verify compliance.”
 Reference Table R402.4.1.1 for requirements
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http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/iecc/2012/icod
_iecc_2012_re4_sec002_par027.htm
Building Envelope Specific
Requirements
Building Envelope
consists of:
Fenestration
Ceilings
Walls
Above
grade
Below grade
Mass walls
Floors
Slabs
Crawlspaces
2012 IECC –Major Prescriptive
Envelope Changes
Insulation Verification
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R-values are to be printed on the batt insulation or rigid foam
board.
Blown-in insulation must have an insulation certificate at or near
the opening of the attic.
The certificate should include:
 R-value of installed thickness
 Initial installed thickness
 Installed density
 Settled thickness/settled R-value
 Coverage area
 Number of bags installed
Insulation markers must be installed every 300 square feet and be
marked with the minimum installed thickness and affixed to the
trusses or joists.
2012 IECC-Fenestration Changes
Mandatory Requirements
Mechanical Systems
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Controls-At least one programmable thermostat/dwelling unit
Heat pump supplementary heat
Ducts
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Sealing (Mandatory)
Insulation (Prescriptive)
HVAC piping insulation
Circulating hot water systems
Ventilation
Dampers
Equipment sizing-Heating and cooling equipment shall be sized
according to Manual S based on loads calculated according to Manual J
Pools and in ground permanently installed spas
Snow melt controls
Duct Sealing and Insulation
Duct Sealing
 Mandatory test 3 cfm
ACH@50
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Rough in and post
construction tests
Adopts testing widely used
by Stretch Code / Energy
Star Homes
Not required if located
within conditioned space
Framing cavities cannot be
used as ducts or plenums
Duct Insulation
 Supply ducts in attics: R-8
(Attic)
 All other ducts: R-6
(Basement, Crawlspace,
Exterior Wall,)
Lighting Equipment
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A minimum of 75% of the lamps in permanently
installed lighting fixtures shall be high-efficacy
lamps or 75% of permanently installed lighting
fixtures to contain only high efficacy lamps.
“Lamps in fixtures”
Exception:

Low-voltage lighting

Use specified lighting
High Efficacy Lighting and
Compliance

The residential lighting provisions in the 2012 IECC are
relatively simple.
 At least 75% of the lamps in permanent light fixtures
must be high-efficacy, defined as:
 T8 or smaller-diameter linear fluorescent lamps,
 Or lamps such as CFLs, LEDs or Pin Based Lamps
with a minimum efficacy of:
 40 lumens/W for <15W
 50 lumens/W for 16-40W
 60 lumens/W for >40W lamps
 Chandelier example
Ventilation
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The building shall be provided with ventilation
that meets the requirements of the IRC, IMC, or
other approved ventilation.
Minimum efficacy:
Range hoods 2.8 cfm/watt
 In-line fans 2.8 cfm/watt
 Bathroom fan (10-89 cfm) 1.4 cfm/watt
 Bathroom fan (90+ cfm) 2.8 cfm/watt
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What about mechanical
ventilation?
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Although the 2012 IECC includes provisions to improve a
home’s air tightness, it provides little on whole house
ventilation, however the 2012 IRC does include
requirements for mechanical ventilation.
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A typical home will require about 15 cfm per person of fresh
outdoor air to be distributed by continuous mechanical
ventilation to meet the requirements of the code.
The new code requires homes in zone 5 achieve 3 ach50, the
code effectively mandates a whole-house mechanical
ventilation system.
This can be accomplished with a centrally located quiet
exhaust fan, an interconnected system to the air handler,
HRV/ERV or a combination of devices.
Eave Baffles
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For air permeable
insulations in vented
attics, baffle
Installed adjacent to
soffit and eave vents
To maintain an opening
≥ size of vent
To extend over top of
attic insulation
May be of any solid
material
Stretch Code vs. IECC
Comparison
Typical Existing
Home
Std New Home
IECC 2006
IECC 2012
~ HERS 70
Residential Incentives
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Almost the same as the Stretch Code/IECC 2012
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Builder incentives/rebates
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$750 - $7000 for SFD
$350 - $4,000 for MF
HERS raters
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Approx 30% of new homes in MA
$700 - $900 SFD
$250 - $550 MF
Additional Equipment Rebates
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Appliances – up to $50 (low income)
Massachusetts Residential New
Heating – up to $1,500
Construction Program
Water Heating – up to $800
Cooling – up to $500
Lighting – free CFLs
IECC 2012 Bottom Line Code
Compliance
Every new home built will need to be tested with a
blower door, have a strategy to stop thermal
bridging, need more insulation, a tighter envelope,
better windows, tighter ducts, right sized
mechanical systems, more efficient lighting and
mechanical ventilation.
Stretch Code
Appendix 120.aa
What is the Stretch Code?
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Affects the energy code only
Amendment to the MA base energy code
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Residential Construction:
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Commercial:
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15-20% more energy efficient
20% more energy efficient
The Stretch Code is similar to the 2012 IECC
Misconceptions
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The Stretch Code is new and experimental
The Stretch Code requires tight unhealthy homes
The Stretch Code requires foam insulation
The Stretch Code requires mechanical ventilation
Homes with oil heat cannot meet the Stretch Code
Town residents will be required to update their
existing homes
What does the Stretch Code Apply to?

Same application as the MA base energy code
 Insulation
 Doors, Windows, Skylights
 Mechanical Equipment
 Lighting
 Appliances
 Building tightness
 Duct tightness
 Renewables
What does the Stretch Code Apply to?
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Residential
Additions
 Home Renovations
 New Construction
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Commercial (5,000+sq/ft)
New Construction
 Additions
 Renovations Exempt
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Additions and Renovations
Prescriptive or Performance Path
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Prescriptive Path
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ENERGY STAR Windows, Doors and Skylights
Tight Ducts – completely new duct systems only
Contractor Verified Thermal Bypass Checklist
Performance Path
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Whole house HERS Rating
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Renovations:
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HERS 85 < 2,000 sq ft.
HERS 80 ≥ 2,000 sq ft.
Additions:
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HERS 70 < 3,000 sq ft.
HERS 65 ≥ 3,000 sq ft.
New Homes
Performance Path
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Performance is the only option
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HERS 70 < 3,000 sq ft.
HERS 65 ≥ 3,000 sq ft.
HERS Rating Company
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Review building plans
Thermal bypass Checklist
Blower-door and duct testing
New Homes
Performance Path
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Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index
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Internal Revenue Service
U.S. Department of Energy
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Mortgage Industry
Massachusetts Base Code - Alternative Path
Mass Save Residential New Construction Program
New Homes
Performance Path
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Governed by the Residential Energy
Services Network (RESNET)
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Technical Standards
Testing Procedures
Quality Assurance
Continuing Education
Code of Ethics
Complaint Resolution
Cost of the Stretch Code
Housetype
Size
Upgrade
Costs
Add’l Annual
Mortgage
Annual
Savings
Single Family
2,672
$2,949
$214
$507
w/ incentives
2,672
$1,755
$127
$516
Single Family
4,462
$6,476
$471
$1,455
w/ incentives
4.462
$5,176
$376
$1,455
Single Family
1,708
$4,162
$302
$583
w/ incentives
1,708
$3,243
$236
$595
COMMERCIAL STRETCH CODE
Commercial ‘Stretch’ Appendix
New buildings and additions over 5,000 ft2,
renovations fall to the base code
 Two Options (depending on size)

Performance option - 20% below ASHRAE Code
 Prescriptive option for most building types
 5,000 - 100,000 ft2
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Special Code Exemptions (comply with base
code) for laboratories, manufacturing, etc.
54
Stretch Code Compliance &
Inspections
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Same as base code
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Code Official has the same authority
 Same building inspections
 Approves building documents
Future of the Stretch Code
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The MA base energy code will update in 2014
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The Stretch Code will update too
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More energy efficient
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No details yet
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Automatic Adoption
Training on new energy codes
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Covering both the IECC 2012 & Stretch code
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Provided free to all Code Officials
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Provided at cost to building professionals
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Register online: www.cetonline.org

Energy star homes training available for free:
www.MassSave.com

Utilities offer commercial ‘Core Performance’
energy training
Questions?