2. History
of Energy Codes
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 + envelope
testing, efficient lighting required
The code keeps pushing the bar! („09 Code is
~15% more stringent
than „06 version)
3. 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.
4. What Residential
Buildings Must Comply?
One and Two Family Dwellings
Multi-Family (3 stories and less)
Additions, Alterations, Renovations, Repairs
Exempt Buildings
No Conditioning
Historical
Low peak energy for space conditioning
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.
5. 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
6. Remodeling Homes in
Texas
2006 IRC
Building
Mechanical
Planning
Plumbing Fuel Gas
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.
7. Remodeling Homes in
Texas
As of January 1st 2012
Texas state Texas state
residential building residential energy
code is the code is Chapter 11
2006 IRC. of the 2009 IRC.
2006 IRC
Ch.11 2009 IRC
8. Remodeling Homes in
Texas
2006 IRC
Building
Mechanical Planning
Plumbing Fuel Gas
Energy
9. What Residential
Buildings Must Comply?
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
10. What Residential
Buildings Must Comply?
Example: Additions
Adding on to an existing home
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.
11. 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.
12. Texas and the 2009
IRC / IECC
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.
14. Differences Between
IRC and 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
16. 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.
17. Municipalities
Texas municipalities
Galveston Burnett
Harker Heights Austin
Laredo Coppell
Leander Jonestown
Midland
Plainview
San Antonio
Uvalde
Waco
Sugarland
Arlington
Beaumont Alvin
Cedar Park Dickinson
College Station El Campo
Eagle Pass Baytown
El Paso
Bellaire
Friendswood
La Porte
Livingston
City of Houston
18. Texas and the 2009
IRC / IECC
Got a
Home?
Fenestration and
YES Insulation YES or NO
requirements
405- Annual
Prescriptive 402.1.4 Total UA
Performance in
(use chart) Alternative
cost $$ or Btu
Mandatory
Requirements
(Includes testing)
19. Texas and the 2009
IRC / IECC
DON‟T FORGET
YOUR Sec 401.3
CERTIFICATE MANDATORY
20. Mandatory Items-
402.4 Air leakage
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
21. Mandatory Items-
402.4.2 Air sealing & insulation
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.
22. 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.
23. Mandatory Items-
402.4.3 Wood Burning Fireplaces
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
24. Mandatory Items-
402.4.4 Fenestration air leakage
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
25. Mandatory Items-
402.4.5 Recessed lighting
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.
26. Mandatory Items-
402.5 Maximum fenestration
U-factor and SHGC
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.
27. Mandatory Items-
403.1 Controls
Each separate heating and cooling system must have a Thermostat.
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
28. Mandatory Items-
403.2.1 Duct Insulation
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.
29. 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:
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
30. 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.
31. 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.
32. 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
33. Texas and the 2009
IRC / IECC
Got a
Home?
Fenestration and
YES Insulation YES or NO
requirements
405- Annual
Prescriptive 402.1.4 Total UA
Performance in
(use chart) Alternative
cost $$ or Btu
Mandatory
Requirements
(Includes testing)
34. 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).
37. 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.
38. Texas and the 2009
IRC / IECC
Prescriptive
Meet the mandatory items
Pick your Pathway
Demonstrate your compliance
39. 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.
40. 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.
