Trends in Energy Codes
Shawn Martin
Plumbing Mechanical and Fuel Gas (PMG)
International Code Council
HVACR and Plumbing Workshop
March 25, 2010
Topics
• About the ICC
• Model Codes
• International Energy Conservation
Code Fundamentals
• Trends in the IECC
About the ICC
Who we are and what we do.
3
VISION:
To protect the health, safety and welfare of
people by creating better buildings and
safer communities
Not-for-profit Member-Driven Association
• 50,000 members
• 350+ chapters
• 300+ staff
ICC - BUILT ON A SOLID
FOUNDATION
 Two centuries of
collective experience
 A history of support
for public safety
 Widespread
recognition and
reliance throughout
the U.S. and the
world.
BOCA
ICBO
ICC
SBCCI
5
ICC’s Products and Activities
Laboratory
Accreditation
Standards
Education &
Certification
Product
Certification
Code
Development
6
ICC’s Family of Building Codes
• International Building Code (IBC)
• International Residential Code (IRC)
• International Fire Code (IFC)
• International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
• International Plumbing Code (IPC)
• International Private Sewage Disposal Code (IPSDC)
• International Mechanical Code (IMC)
• International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)
• International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC)
• International Existing Building Code (IEBC)
• International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC)
• International Zoning Code (IZC)
• International Green Construction Code (IGCC)
7
Model Codes
8
Building Codes Defined
“Set of standards established and enforced
by local government for the structural
safety of buildings.”
Princeton University WordNet
“A set of rules that specify the minimum
acceptable level of safety for
constructed objects such as buildings
and nonbuilding structures.”
Wikipedia
9
“Gangster who built world's
tallest log cabin”, Telegraph,
March 7, 2007
Building Codes in the U.S.
U.S. Constitution’s Tenth Amendment
gives states rights to legislate to
protect:
 Public health
 Safety
 Welfare
10
State Adoptions and Delegations
Colorado
Virginia
 No two states are alike
 Can be pre-empted and delegated
 40,000+ political subdivisions enforce
codes
11
What is a Model Code?
 A building code that is developed and maintained by an
organization independent of the jurisdiction responsible for
enacting the building code.
 No force of law – must be adopted by jurisdiction.
 Avoids “Reinventing the Wheel” in each state.
 Involves nationwide experts to reflect diverse views and state of
the art.
 Utilizes consensus development process
 Open
 Transparent
 Balance of Interest
 Due Process
12
Code Changes
Submitted
New Edition
Published
Code Changes
Posted
Code
Development
Hearing
ICC CODE
DEVELOPMENT
CYCLE
Final Action
Hearing
Public Comments
Posted
Public Hearing
Results Posted
Public Comments
Sought on Public
Hearing Results
Local Amendments
 Virtually all governmental entities that adopt a model code amend
the document.
 State or local code committees for the jurisdiction review the
model code with respect to:





Specific local conditions and needs
Local building practices
Local materials available
Union rules and requirements
Political considerations
14
International Energy
Conservation Code ®
Fundamentals
15
History of the IECC
 Original code known as the Model Energy Code (MEC)
developed by CABO, BOCA, ICBO, NCSBCS, and SBCCI
under a DOE contract in 1983.
 MEC Editions released in 1983, 1986,1989, 1992, 1993, and
1995.
 Title changed to the International Energy Conservation Code
(IECC) in 1998 with the formation of ICC.
 IECC Editions released in 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2009
 ICC’s International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) is now
the most widely adopted energy code in the world.
16
International Energy Conservation
Code ® - Scope
Encourages energy conservation
through efficiency in envelope
design, mechanical systems,
lighting systems and the use of
new materials and techniques.
Scope
 The IECC® applies to:
 Residential Buildings
 One- and Two-family dwellings, Townhomes (not-IRC buildings)
 Multifamily dwellings three-stories or less in height
 Commercial Buildings
 Multifamily dwellings four stories or greater in height
 New Buildings
 Additions, Alterations, Renovations, & Repairs
Residential Compliance Process
Must the project comply with
the IECC?
Prescriptive
Path
Performance
Path
Insulation, Air Leakage,
Lighting & Building Systems
Building Thermal
Envelope and Electrical
Simulated Performance
Alternative
R-value
Computation
UA
Alternative
Total UA
Alternative
Document Compliance with IECC
Plan Review
Field Inspection
19
Regionalization in 2009
20
Regionalization in 2003
21
IECC’s relationship with the IRC




Intended to work hand-in-hand
Tables are NOT identical
Simulated Performance option is not in IRC
Vapor Retarders are in Chapter 6 – NOT IECC
Vapor
Retarders
2006 IRC 2006 IECC 2009 IRC 2009 IECC
No
Yes
Yes
No
Workbook Page 3
22
2006 to 2009 Aggregate Improvement
Preliminary estimates from U.S. DOE suggest the
2009 IECC will be at least 18 percent and possibly
even 22 percent more energy efficient than the 2006
IECC
David Rodgers, Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. DOE-EERE,
statements before Committee on Energy and Commerce,
Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, U.S. House of
Representatives, July 17, 2008.
23
Trend 1
Expanded adoption.
24
Residential Buildings
IECC® State-wide Adoptions
WA
MT
ND
AK
OR
HI
SD
ID
NV
WY
UT
CO
AZ
OK
TX
MI
IA
KS
NM
VT / NH
WI
NE
CA
2009 IECC or equivalent
MN
MO
AR
LA
NY
IL IN OH
PA
WV
KY
TN
MS AL
ME
SC
VA
NC
MA/ CT/ RI
MD/DE/ NJ
DC
GA
FL
2006 IECC or equivalent
2003 IECC or equivalent
2000/01 IECC or equivalent
1998 IECC or less
No Statewide Energy Code
JANUARY 2009
International Energy Conservation
Code® - Federal Citations
 National private and Federal housing initiatives
 Energy Independence & Security Act of 2007
(EISA)
 Energy Conservation & Production Act, as
amended
 National benchmark for single family homes and
townhomes
 National benchmark for low-rise condominiums
and apartments
 Manufactured Housing (HUD 24 CFR 3280)
 Energy Efficient Mortgage Programs (FHA, VA,
Fannie & Freddie)
ARRA (Stimulus Bill)
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
 Contains language requiring a plan to adopt the
2009 IECC or better-residential/ 2007 ASHRAE
90.1 or better-commercial.
 Condition for qualifying for $ 3.1 billion in State Energy
Program funds
 Stimulus also funds EISA Block Grants, which has specific
language authorizing grants to develop, implement and adopt
and enforce, building codes
ARRA: Reaching full Compliance
 Stimulus requires both a plan for active training an enforcement,
and annual measurement of percent compliance to reach 90% by
2017.
 Much of the technology, construction methods, test methods, and
some of the products are new, and both builders and contractors and
code officials will need training to achieve full compliance.
 The stimulus requires a plan, and provides funds.
Trend 2
Increases in mandatory fenestration
and insulation values.
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2006 to 2012 Mandatory Fenestration
Requirements
Climate Zone
Fenestration
U-Factor
Glazed
Fenestration SHGC
2006
2009
P2012*
2006
2009
P2012*
1
1.20
1.2
NR
0.40
0.30
0.30
2
0.75
0.65
0.50
0.40
0.30
0.30
3
0.65
0.50
0.40
0.40
0.30
0.30
4
0.40
0.35
0.35
NR
NR
NR
5 & Marine 4
0.35
0.35
0.32
NR
NR
NR
6
0.35
0.35
0.32
NR
NR
NR
7&8
0.35
0.35
0.32
NR
NR
NR
* Proposed changes for 2012
2006 to 2012 Mandatory Insulation
Requirements
Climate Zone
Wood Frame Wall
R-Value
Basement
Wall R-Value
2006
2009
P2012*
2006
2009
P2012*
1
13
13
13
0
0
0
2
13
13
13
0
0
0
3
13
13
13
0
5/13
5/13
4
13
13
20
10/13
10/13
10/13
5 & Marine 4
19
20 or
13+5
20 or
13+5
10/13
10/13
10/13
6
19
20 or
13+5
20+5 or
13+10
10/13
15/19
15/19
7&8
21
21
20+5 or
13+10
10/13
15/19
15/19
* Proposed changes for 2012
Trend 3
More extensive efforts to plug leakage
points in the envelope.
32
New Air Leakage Requirements in the
2009 Version
 Attic hatches and doors
 Weatherstripping
 Equivalent insulation
 Retainer for loose fill
 Rim joist junctions
 Air tightness verification
 Test at < 7 ACH at 50 Pa
OR
 Rigorous visual
inspection
New Air Leakage Requirements in the
2009 Version
 Wood-Burning
Fireplaces
 Use gasketed doors
 Draw combustion air
from exterior of building
Mechanical Ventilation Sealing
Outdoor air intakes and exhausts shall have automatic
or gravity dampers that close when the system is not
operating
Trend 4
Improved controls for HVAC systems.
36
Programmable Thermostats in 2009
 For forced-air heating systems
 Must be capable to set back or temporarily
operate the system to maintain zone
temperatures down to 55°F or up to 85°F
37
Trend 5
Enhanced duct and system sealing.
38
Duct Tightness Verification in
2009
Post construction test:
• <8 cfm per 100 ft² of conditioned
floor area, or
• <12 cfm per 100 ft² of conditioned
floor area at 25 Pa across the
entire system, including the air
handler enclosure.
39
Duct Tightness Verification in
2009
Rough-in test:
• < 6 cfm per 100 ft² of
conditioned floor area at
25 Pa across the entire
system, including the air
handler enclosure, or
• <4 cfm per 100 ft² of
conditioned floor area if
air handler not yet
installed.
40
Trend 6
Increased emphasis on equipment
sizing and efficiency.
41
Equipment Sizing
• Per IRC Section M1401.3
• Sizing in accordance with
ACCA Manual S based on
building loads calculated
in accordance with ACCA
Manual J.
2012 IECC Proposal EC 121
(Disapproved in first hearing)
43
2012 EC-13 Proposal (AS)
 404.2 Cooling equipment.
 Zone 1 & 2: Vapor compression air conditioning SEER shall be at least
16.0 and EER at least 12.5.
 Zone 3: Vapor compression air conditioning SEER shall be at least
15.0 and EER at least 12.5.
 404.2.3 Future updates to federal manufacturing standards.
 If applicable Federal manufacturing standards as specified in 10 CFR
430 are updated to establish new efficiency requirements, equipment
efficiency requirements in this section shall be improved by a
percentage equivalent to the percentage improvement from the
efficiency required by 10 CFR 430 as of January 1, 2011 to the
efficiency required by 10 Code of Federal Regulations 430 at the date
of plan check approval.
44
Trend 7
Move toward more wholistic views of
sustainability.
45
International Green Construction
Code
Cooperative effort launched in 2009 to develop a code
overlay for commercial applications.
 Best chance of true enforcement and widespread
adoption.
 Covers energy, water efficiency, materials, emissions, IEQ,
site preservation, etc.
First version released in March, 2010 and currently open
for public comment.
IgCC Compliance Paths


Alternate means of compliance provided in some cases.
 Example: IECC – comply with commercial building
requirements for energy efficiency OR ASHRAE Standard 90.1
IgCC Energy Chapter (Chapter 6)
Mandatory
Provisions
(many from
IECC)
Prescriptive
Compliance
Performance
Based
Compliance
TANEU Defined
TOTAL ANNUAL NET ENERGY USE. A ratio representing the
energy performance of the proposed design compared to the
energy performance of a standard reference design.
TANEU = 75 x (PD – RE - WE) / RD
Where:
PD = Proposed Design energy use
RE = Renewable Energy savings
RD = Standard Reference Design energy use
WE= Waste Energy recovery savings
PD, RE, and RD shall all be expressed in consistent units of
energy on a total annual basis.
TANEU Thresholds
120
100
100
77
80
70
63
60
40
20
0
2006 IECC
2009 IECC
IgCC Prescriptive IgCC Enhanced
National Green Building Standard
 ICC and NAHB Collaboration
 Consensus Process Begun: April
2007
 Consensus Committee Included:
 Industry – Builders, Architects,
Manufacturers
 Government – EPA, DOE, State
& City Building Officials
 Stakeholders – USGBC, Trade
Associations
 ANSI Approved 12/2008
 Includes Single-Family, MultiFamily, Remodeling and Site
Development
 Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Emerald
Thresholds
 Consistent with ICC Language
50
Provisions of Chapter 7
 701.1 – Buildings can comply with either the performance or
prescriptive energy paths provided in the standard. This section
also provides guidelines for energy efficiency specifically related to
renovations and additions.
 701.1.1 – Minimum Performance
Path Requirements
 Must exceed IECC minimum performance
by 15%
 Must include at least 2 practices from
Section 704
27
51
NGBS Mandatory Fenestration
Requirements (Mandatory)
Climate
Zone
Fenestration
U-Factor
Glazed
Fenestration
SHGC
2009
NGBS
2009
NGBS
1
1.2
0.65
0.30
0.40
2
0.65
0.65
0.30
0.40
3
0.50
0.40
0.30
0.40
4
0.35
0.35
NR
NR
5 & Marine
4
0.35
0.35
NR
NR
6
0.35
0.35
NR
NR
7&8
0.35
0.35
NR
NR
Current Air Conditioner SEER Ratings
NGBS Air Conditioner and Heat Pump
Cooling Credit
Climate Zone
1
2
3
4
5
6-8
POINTS
> 14 SEER
8
6
2
2
1
1
> 15 SEER
12
10
4
3
2
2
> 17 SEER
18
14
6
4
3
3
>19+ SEER
24
18
8
4
3
3
Recommended Resources
Sustainable Construction : Green Building
Design and Delivery , 2nd edition
ASHRAE GreenGuide : The Design,
Construction , and Operation of Sustainable
Buildings, 2nd edition
55
Recommended Resources
Green Building Guide lines : Meeting the
Dem and for Low -Energy, Resource –
Efficient Homes ©, 5th Edition
56
Shawn Martin
Director of Industry Relations
Plumbing Mechanical and Fuel Gas (PMG)
International Code Council
888-422-7233 x 7736
smartin@iccsafe.org
pmgresourcecenter@iccsafe.org
QUESTIONS?
57
Prescriptive Duct Insulation
Progression