Understanding the

2009 Energy Code

Presented by:

Clayton Farmer

Bluegill Energy Management

MEC 1992, ‟93, 95 – “Early” energy codes, complicated, DP windows reqd.

IECC 98, 2000, „03 – “Strengthening”, SHGC of 0.4 reqd. where < 3500 HDD

IECC 2004, „06 – “Simplification”, Fewer CZ‟s, eliminate % windows, certificate required

IECC 2009 – “Latest”, duct + envelopetesting, efficient lighting required

The code keeps pushing the bar! („09 Code is ~15% more stringentthan „06 version)

History

of Energy Codes

Texas and the 2009

IRC / IECC

Final Rule: §19.53.Building Energy Efficiency Performance

Standards

a) Single-family residential construction. Effective January 1, 2012, the energy efficiency provisions (Chapter 11) of the International Residential Code as they existed on May 1, 2009, are adopted as the energy code in this state for single-family residential construction as it is defined in Health and Safety Code, §388.002(12).

b) All other residential, commercial, and industrial construction. Effective April 1, 2011, the International Energy Conservation Code as it existed on May 1, 2009, is adopted as the energy code for use in this state for all residential, commercial, and industrial construction that is not single-family residential construction under subsection (a) of this section.

What Residential

Buildings Must Comply?

One and Two Family Dwellings

Multi-Family (3 stories and less)

Additions, Alterations, Renovations, Repairs

New Definition

Conditioned Space- An area or room within a building being heated or

cooled, containing uninsulated ducts, or with a fixed opening directly into

an adjacent conditioned space.

Exempt Buildings

No Conditioning

Historical

Low peak energy for space conditioning

Remodeling Homes in

Texas

Are you performing Additions,

Renovations, Alterations, or Repairs

on a home in Texas?

Not sure what code to follow?

Don‟t worry, Texas has residential

building codes

2006 IRC

Remodeling Homes in

Texas

Mechanical

Plumbing Fuel Gas

Building

Planning

Energy

2006 IRC- R102.7.1 Additions, alterations or repairs to any structure shall

conform to the requirements for a new structure without requiring the

existing structure to comply with all of the requirements of this code.

Remodeling Homes in

Texas

2006 IRC

Ch.11 2009 IRC

Texas state

residential building

code is the

2006 IRC.

Texas state

residential energy

code is Chapter 11

of the 2009 IRC.

As of January 1st 2012

Remodeling Homes in

Texas

2006 IRC

Mechanical

Plumbing Fuel Gas

Building

Planning

Energy

101.4.3 Additions, alterations, renovations or repairs. Additions, alterations, renovations

or repairs to an existing building, building system or portion thereof shall conform to the

provisions of this code as they relate to new construction without requiring the unaltered

portion(s) of the existing building or building system to comply with this code. An addition

shall be deemed to comply with this code if the addition alone complies or if the existing

building and addition comply with this code as a single building.

Exception: The following need not comply provided

the energy use of the building is not increased:

Storm windows

Glass only replacements

Existing ceiling, wall or floor cavities that are filled

with insulation.

Construction where the existing roof, wall or floor

cavity is not exposed.

Reroofing for roofs where insulation is not exposed.

Replacement of existing doors

Alterations that replace less than 50 percent of the

luminaires

Light Bulb/Ballast Alterations

What Residential

Buildings Must Comply?

Example: Additions

Adding on to an existing home

What Residential

Buildings Must Comply?

All parts of the addition must meet the

energy code.

Any part of the existing home that was

altered to accommodate the addition will

also need to comply with the code.

Any changes to a building system (HVAC,

ETC) may either in part or completely be

brought into compliance.

What Residential

Buildings Must Comply?

JUST because you may be in the county

does not exempt you from the state

codes

Follow your municipal code or county

code if present and meets state code

levels.

If no code, take it upon yourself to have it verified as meeting

the code.

There is a lot of liability you would assume if you did not comply with state minimum code.

Compliance

N1101.2 Compliance. Compliance shall be demonstrated by either

meeting the requirements of the International Energy Conservation Code or

meeting the requirements of this chapter. Climate zones from Figure

N1101.2 or Table N1101.2 shall be used in determining the applicable

requirements from this chapter.

Texas and the 2009

IRC / IECC

Texas and the 2009

IRC / IECC

IECC addresses only energy, allows performance

approach

IRC addresses all codes (structural, mechanical,

plumbing, etc.)

Allows builder to carry only one code book

Chapter 11 is residential energy

IRC just addresses detached one- and two-family

dwellings and townhouses

IRC allows compliance with IECC as an alternative to

Chapter 11

Energy requirements in IRC and IECC almost identical

IRC requires 0.35 SHGC in Climate Zones 1-3;

IECC requires 0.30 SHGC

Differences Between

IRC and IECC

No Choices

Flexibility & trade offs

Differences Between

IRC and IECC

The IECC has typically

been viewed as

undesirable…..But

Builders in our climate

need the flexibility

offered by the IECC.

Differences Between

IRC and IECC

Texas municipalities

Galveston

Harker Heights

Laredo

Leander

Midland

San Antonio

Waco

Arlington

Beaumont

Cedar Park

College Station

Eagle Pass

El Paso

Friendswood

City of Houston

Municipalities

Burnett

Austin

Coppell

Jonestown

Plainview

Uvalde

Sugarland

Alvin

Dickinson

El Campo

Baytown

Bellaire

La Porte

Livingston

Got a

Home?

Fenestration and

Insulation

requirements

405- Annual

Performance in

cost $$ or Btu

402.1.4 Total UA

AlternativePrescriptive

(use chart)

Mandatory

Requirements(Includes testing)

YES YES or NO

Texas and the 2009

IRC / IECC

DON‟T FORGET

YOUR

CERTIFICATE

Sec 401.3

MANDATORY

Texas and the 2009

IRC / IECC

402.4.1 Building thermal envelope. The building thermal envelope shall be durably sealed to limit infiltration. The following shall be caulked, gasketed, weather-stripped or otherwise sealed with an air barrier material, suitable film or solid material:

All joints, seams and penetrations

Site-built windows, doors and skylight.

Openings between window and door assemblies

Utility penetrations.

Dropped ceilings or chases

Knee walls.

Walls and ceilings separating a garage

Behind tubs and showers on exterior walls

Common walls between dwelling units

Attic access openings

Rim joist junction

Other sources of infiltration

Mandatory Items-402.4 Air leakage

Option # 1

Section 402.4.2.1- Performance testing of house leakage. Blower door

result must be less than 7 ACH50 when tested at a pressure of 50 Pa. There

are 7 procedure items for conducting the test:

Exterior windows and doors, fireplace and

stove doors shall be closed

Dampers shall be closed, but not sealed

Interior doors shall be open;

Continuous ventilation systems shall be closed

and sealed;

Heating and cooling system(s) shall be turned

off;

HVAC ducts shall not be sealed; and

Supply and return registers shall not be sealed.

Mandatory Items-402.4.2 Air sealing & insulation

Option # 2

Section 402.4.2.2-

Visual inspection

option. Items listed in

Table 402.4.2,

applicable to the

method of construction,

are field verified. Most

likely the code official

will require 3rd party.

Mandatory Items-402.4.2 Air sealing & insulation

402.4.3 Fireplaces. New wood-burning fireplaces shall have gasketed doors

and outdoor combustion air.

The intent here is to mitigate air leakage during periods of non-use, as well as

indoor air quality concerns.

The ICC interprets this to mean "masonry fireplaces" constructed in accordance with

the International Building Code - Section 2111, and NOT "factory-built" fireplaces

manufactured in accordance with the International Mechanical Code - Section 903.

The argument- Gasketed doors may void the UL certification on the factory

built FPs. Section 101.3 (". this code is not intended to abridge safety . requirements

contained in other applicable codes or ordinances.") and 102.1 (". provided that such

construction [or] design … has been approved by the code official as meeting the

intent of this code.").

The 2012 IECC clarifies by just saying flue

dampers and outdoor combustion air

Mandatory Items-402.4.3 Wood Burning Fireplaces

402.4.4 Fenestration air leakage.

Windows, skylights and sliding glass

doors shall have an air infiltration rate of

no more than 0.3 cfm per square foot,

and swinging doors no more than 0.5

cfm per square foot

Exception: Site Built Windows,

Skylights and Doors

Mandatory Items-402.4.4 Fenestration air leakage

402.4.5 Recessed lighting. Recessed luminaires installed in the building

thermal envelope shall be sealed to limit air leakage between conditioned

and unconditioned spaces. The cans need to be IC-rated and Air Tight.

All recessed luminaires shall be sealed with a gasket or caulk between the

housing and the interior wall or ceiling covering.

Mandatory Items-402.4.5 Recessed lighting

402.5 Maximum fenestration U-factor and SHGC. The area-weighted

average maximum fenestration SHGC permitted using trade-offs from

Section 405 in Zones 1 through 3 shall be 0.50.

Mandatory Items-402.5 Maximum fenestration

U-factor and SHGC

Each separate heating and cooling system must have a Thermostat.

Mandatory Items-403.1 Controls

403.1.1 Programmable thermostat- At least 1.

This thermostat shall include the capability to

set back or temporarily operate the system to

maintain zone temperatures. The thermostat

shall initially be programmed with a heating

temperature set point no higher than 70°F

(21°C) and a cooling temperature set point no

lower than 78°F.

403.1.2 Heat pump supplementary heat. Heat Pump requires smart

thermostat or lockout feature to prevent unnecessary strip heat

403.2.1 Insulation. Supply ducts in attics shall be insulated to a minimum of R-8. All

other ducts shall be insulated to a minimum of R-6.

Exception: Ducts or portions thereof located completely inside the building thermal

envelope.

This is PRESCRIPTIVE only! If you do the performance path,

Section 405 allows you to pass Go And Collect your $$.

405.2 Mandatory requirements. Compliance with this section requires that the

mandatory provisions identified in Section 401.2 be met. All supply and return ducts

not completely inside the building thermal envelope shall be insulated to a minimum

of R-6.

Mandatory Items-403.2.1 Duct Insulation

1. Postconstruction test: Leakage to outdoors shall

be less than or equal to 8 cfm per 100 ft2 (8%) of

conditioned floor area or a total leakage less than

or equal to 12 cfm per 100 ft2 (12%) of conditioned

floor area when tested at a pressure of 25 Pa.

2. Rough-in test: Total leakage shall be less than or

equal to 6 cfm per 100 ft2 (6%) of conditioned floor

area when tested at a pressure of 25 Pa across the

roughed in system, including the manufacturer’s air

handler enclosure. IF NO AIRHANDLER- 4 cfm per

100ft2 (4%)

EXCEPTION: NOT Required if all ducts and air

handlers are located in conditioned space

Mandatory Items-403.2.2 Duct Sealing

403.2.2 Sealing. All ducts, air handlers, filter boxes and building cavities used as

ducts shall be sealed. Joints and seams shall comply with Section M1601.4.1 of the

International Residential Code. VERIFY Duct Tightness by either of the following:

Mandatory Items-A Fast Five

403.2.3 Building cavities. DON’T USE BUILDING CAVITIES AS SUPPLY

DUCTS!

403.3 Mechanical system piping insulation. If it is hot 105°F or really cold

55°F, insulate it to R-3.

403.4 Circulating hot water systems. Circulating systems are insulated

to R-2 and shall include an automatic or a readily accessible manual switch

to turn off pump when not in use.

403.5 Mechanical ventilation. Outdoor air intakes and exhausts shall

have automatic or gravity dampers that close when the ventilation

system is not operating.

403.7 Systems serving multiple dwelling units.

Go to the commercial section 503 and 504.

Mandatory Items-403.6 Equipment sizing

403.6 Equipment sizing. Heating and cooling equipment shall be sized in

accordance with Section M1401.3 of the International Residential Code.

YES, that means the 2009 IRC

M1401.3 Sizing. Heating

and cooling equipment shall

be sized in accordance with

ACCA Manual S based on

building loads calculated in

accordance with ACCA

Manual J or other.

Mandatory Items-Another Fast Five

403.8 Snow melt system controls. If you put one in, make it controllable

per temperature settings.

403.9 Pools. Pools shall be provided with energy-conserving measures.

See EXCEPTIONS for further details.

403.9.1 Pool heaters. Equipment with readily accessible on-off switch

to allow shutting off the heater without adjusting the thermostat

setting.

403.9.2 Time switches. Time switches that can automatically turn

off and on heaters and pumps according to a preset schedule.

403.9.3 Pool covers. Heated pools shall be equipped with a

vapor-retardant pool cover on or at the water surface. R-12 if

heated to 90°F

Got a

Home?

Fenestration and

Insulation

requirements

405- Annual

Performance in

cost $$ or Btu

402.1.4 Total UA

AlternativePrescriptive

(use chart)

Mandatory

Requirements(Includes testing)

YES YES or NO

Texas and the 2009

IRC / IECC

Compliance

401.2 Compliance. Projects shall comply with Sections 401,

402.4, 402.5, and 403.1, 403.2.2, 403.2.3, and 403.3 through

403.9 (referred to as the MANDATORY provisions) and either:

1. Sections 402.1 through 402.3, 403.2.1 and 404.1 (prescriptive);

Or

2. Section 405 (performance).

Texas and the 2009

IRC / IECC

Prescriptive Chart

Texas and the 2009

IRC / IECC

Prescriptive Chart

Texas and the 2009

IRC / IECC

Prescriptive High Points

402.2.3 Access hatches and doors. Access doors from conditioned

spaces to unconditioned spaces (e.g., attics and crawl spaces) shall be

weather-stripped and insulated to a level equivalent to the insulation on the

surrounding surfaces.

403.2.1 Insulation. Supply ducts in attics shall be insulated to a

minimum of R-8. All other ducts shall be insulated to a minimum of R-6.

404.1 Lighting equipment. A minimum of 50 percent of the lamps in

permanently installed lighting fixtures shall be high-efficacy lamps.

Texas and the 2009

IRC / IECC

Meet the mandatory items

Pick your Pathway

Demonstrate your compliance

Prescriptive

Texas and the 2009

IRC / IECC

Compliance

401.2 Compliance. Projects shall comply with Sections 401,

402.4, 402.5, and 403.1, 403.2.2, 403.2.3, and 403.3 through

403.9 (referred to as the MANDATORY provisions) and either:

2. Section 405 (performance).

Compliance with this section requires that the mandatory provisions identified in Section 401.2 be met.

All supply and return ducts not completely inside the building thermal envelope shall be insulated to a minimum of R-6.

Texas and the 2009

IRC / IECC

The Reference Home- Table 405.5.2(1)

405.5.2 Residence specifications. The standard reference

design and proposed design shall be configured and analyzed as specified

by Table 405.5.2(1). Table 405.5.2(1) shall include by reference all notes

contained in Table 402.1.1.

Texas and the 2009

IRC / IECC

Simulated

Performance

Performance

Questions

Thank You

Clayton Farmer

Bluegill Energy Management, LP

Bluegill GP, LLC

281-802-1224

cfarmer@bluegillenergy.com

www.bluegillenergy.com