1. 2015 Energy Code: Major Changes for Residential Buildings
Presented by Matt Evans
Newport Ventures

2. NYSERDA ENERGY CODE TRAINING
Compliance Paths
Mandatory Items OR OR
The Energy Code is structured somewhat differently from other codes in that there are several compliance paths to choose. Regardless of the compliance path, the building must meet all mandatory requirements in the code. In addition to meeting the mandatory requirements, the building must comply by meeting the requirements of one of the following:
The prescriptive path – which is found in Sections R402-R404 and essentially lays out a checklist of what must be done in the home with relatively little flexibility.
The performance path – which compares an energy cost budget for your designed home to an energy cost budget defined by the prescriptive path. This path offers more flexibility than the prescriptive path but the flexibility is still fairly limited.
The Energy Rating Index path – New in this code, this performance calculation uses an index to establish an efficiency target for the home. It allows much greater flexibility than either of the other compliance paths, but also requires a higher level of overall efficiency. We’ll talk in greater detail about this new compliance option later.
Remember that regardless of the compliance path chosen, all Mandatory requirements must be met.
Prescriptive
Sections R402-R404
Performance
Section R405
Energy Rating Index
Section R406
NYSERDA ENERGY CODE TRAINING
OVERVIEW

3. Mandatory Requirements
Certificate
R401.3
Duct Sealing & Location R R
Efficient Lighting
R404
Air Barrier
R402.4
Duct Testing R
Some Controls
R403.1
Air Tightness Test and Target R
Mechanical Pipe Insulation
R403.4
Some Controls R R R
This slide summarizes the requirements in the code that are mandatory. Most of them are found in sections R within the prescriptive compliance path sections. As we mentioned before these requirements apply to all buildings regulated by this code, regardless of compliance paths. I am not going to go through each of these now, because we will cover them as each topic area comes up.
There are some instances where a mandatory requirement has exceptions (duct testing and some controls you see are colored differently). In other cases, such as some control requirements, the mandatory requirement is only required when certain systems are present. Pay attention as we mention mandatory items today. A violation on any one can fail the entire project with no ability to use a tradeoff or an alternative approach.
Maximum Window U & SGHC
R402.5
Mechanical Ventilation
R403.6
Manual J & Manual S
R403.7
NYSERDA ENERGY CODE TRAINING

4. NYSERDA ENERGY CODE TRAINING
Building Envelope - Prescriptive Requirements
Climate Zone
Ceiling R-Value
Wood Frame Wall R-Value
Mass Wall R-Value
Floor R-Value
Basement Wall R-Value
Slab R-Value & Depth
Crawl Space Wall R-Value 4 38 13
5/10 19
10/13
10, 2ft 5
20 or 13+5
13/17 30 6 49
15/19
10, 4 ft
2010 ECCCNYS
Climate Zone
Ceiling R-Value
Wood Frame Wall R-Value
Mass Wall R-Value
Floor R-Value
Basement Wall R-Value
Slab R-Value & Depth
Crawl Space Wall R-Value 4 49
20 or 13+5
8/13 19
10/13
10, 2ft 5
13/17 30
15/19 6
20+5 or 13+10
15/20
10, 4 ft
2015 IECC
Refer audience to handout showing these values (especially in case of large classroom)
Explain the R-value insulation requirements in Table Focus discussion on climate zone for training location.
Remind the audience that R-value refers to the labeled or tested resistivity of correctly installed insulation. This is not a measurement of effective R value. Higher R-value means more resistivity (less heat transfer)
Green highlights show increase in stringency over the 2010 ECCCNYS. Go through each value for that climate zone and explain it, giving extra attention to changes over last code.
Explain concepts such as 13+5 (cavity insulation + continuous insulation) and what it means on application in the field.
Explain why “or” options such as 20 or 13+5 are there and what they mean
Explain multiple values such as 10/13 and what the mean for each column.
Explain 2 ft measure on slab edge insulation.
Explain footnote for heated slabs (add R5)
Explain footnote on minimum floor insulation just filling cavity (at least R19)
Explain what makes a mass wall and that it is defined in R Give several examples such as ICF, Concrete Block, solid timber logs, etc.
Explain that anyone building with steel floors, ceilings or walls will need to use section R and table R which gives steel framing Insulation requirements and options. Alternatively they can comply with the U-factor alternative in R
Mention that R has moved from footnote into text. Explain walls with partial structural sheathing concept and ask the group if they use/see this approach commonly.
Note: R exempts horizontal portions of foundations supporting masonry veneer from any insulation requirements.
NYSERDA ENERGY CODE TRAINING
BUILDING ENVELOPE

5. All Homes MUST Be Tested – 3 Air Changes Per Hour at 50 Pa Pressure
Mandatory Air Leakage Requirements
All Homes MUST Be Tested – 3 Air Changes Per Hour at 50 Pa Pressure OR
In the previous code, there was an option of either a visual inspection of the air barrier or a blower door test. The code now requires both a visual inspection, and a blower door test. The home must test at 3 Air Changes per Hour or lower at 50 Pascals pressure. This is less than half the leakage (7ACH50 allowed in the previous code).
The visual inspection includes specific air sealing details, all of which are mandatory.
NYSERDA ENERGY CODE TRAINING
BUILDING ENVELOPE

6. NYSERDA ENERGY CODE TRAINING
Mandatory Air Sealing Requirements
Windows & Doors
Soffits & Drop Ceilings
Band Joists
Air permeable insulation may not be used as an air barrier. Ask if the audience recognizes the approach used here. This was fairly typical, stuffing fiberglass insulation around the window in an attempt to stop air leaks. This doesn’t work for two reasons:
First, the insulation is compressed so it’s providing no thermal benefit.
Second, fiberglass insulation is air-permeable, meaning it doesn’t stop the flow of air.
In this case you would want to use a low-expansive foam to insulate and air seal around windows.
This is not allowed by code and it is a mandatory detail that cannot be missed or traded off. Air permeable insulation will contribute to additional air leakage and possibly a failed blower door test.
Penetrations
Behind Tubs & Showers
Access Hatches
NYSERDA ENERGY CODE TRAINING
BUILDING ENVELOPE

7. NYSERDA ENERGY CODE TRAINING
Duct Testing & Sealing
Mandatory
Total Duct Leakage
Duct Sealing
Duct Tightness testing is mandatory. The only exception to this rule is if all ducts are in conditioned space.
In the 2010 code, there were two tests available. A postconstruction test for total leakage or leakage to outdoors was allowed. Alternatively a rough-in test of total leakage was allowed. In the 2015 IECC both the postconstruction Test and Rough-in test are allowed but both have to test total leakage. That is any leakage in ducts regardless of whether it is leakage to outdoors or not.
A written report of the duct leakage test results should be submitted to the code official. The code does not specify that this needs to be an independent third party, but it is often done by an energy rater/auditor or the HVAC contractor.
One of the benefits of using the rough-in test is that leakage problems will be easier to fix. If ducts fail at rough-in, they could be fixed and retested without progressing further in construction, or they could be fixed and then retested postconstruction.
Exemption for all ducts in conditioned space!
NYSERDA ENERGY CODE TRAINING
MECHANICAL

8. Mandatory ACCA Manual J ACCA Manual S
Mandatory HVAC Requirements
Equipment Sizing and Efficiency Rating
ACCA Manual J
Calculates Heating and Cooling Load of Home
ACCA Manual S
Matches Appropriate Size of Equipment for Load
The code requires both ACCA Manual J, which calculates the heating and cooling load of the home, and ACCA Manual S, which calculates the size of the heating and cooling equipment to match that load. The idea is that you want to make sure your heating and cooling system is not too large or too small for the load.
Mandatory
NYSERDA ENERGY CODE TRAINING
MECHANICAL

9. Mandatory Mandatory HVAC Requirements Mechanical Ventilation
All Homes 5ACH50 or Tighter Must Have Whole House Mechanical Ventilation Per IRC
All New Homes in NYS Must Be 3ACH50 or Tighter
All New Homes in NYS Must Include Whole House Mechanical Ventilation
As we discussed before, the way we build homes today makes them too tight to rely on natural infiltration to provide healthy indoor air. Section R requires that the home have mechanical ventilation that meets the requirements if the IRC or IMC (single or multifamily). The IRC and IMC both require any home/dwelling unit that is tighter than 5 ACH50 to be provided with wholehouse mechanical ventilation. All homes in NY are 3ACH50 or tighter so this will apply to all residential construction.
Studies have shown that occupants don’t use windows regularly enough to count on them for ventilation. In addition, when it’s -10 degrees outside, you aren’t going to open the windows to get fresh air. We don’t need good healthy air only during the months when it’s pleasant out enough to open windows, we need it all the time.
Table R sets the efficiency requirements for mechanical ventilation.
Mandatory
NYSERDA ENERGY CODE TRAINING
MECHANICAL

10. Mandatory Efficient Lamps (Bulbs) Efficient Fixtures Mandatory
Mandatory Lighting Requirements
Mandatory
75% High-Efficacy
Efficient Lamps (Bulbs)
Efficient Fixtures
Section R404 establishes the requirements for lighting. 75% of lighting must be high-efficacy. This can be counted either by fixture or by bulbs (lamps). This is a mandatory Requirement. Low-voltage Lighting is exempt, because by definition it uses Less Energy.
The code defines high-efficacy as 60 lumens/watt over 40 watts, 50 lumens per watt over 15 watts up to 40 watts
Also mandatory – Fuel gas lighting systems cannot have a continuously burning pilot light.
Mandatory
NYSERDA ENERGY CODE TRAINING
LIGHTING

11. NYSERDA ENERGY CODE TRAINING
Energy Rating Index – R406
This section shows the relative ERIs for baseline prescriptive code. The 2006 IECC is linked to the reference home score of The 2009 IECC/2010 ECCCNYS is approximately an 85 on the scale. The 2012 IECC and 2015 IECC prescriptive paths are in the range of generally depending on the climate zone. Note that the ERI path requires scores in the mid 50s to comply, meaning there is a separation in the level of efficiency depending on whether you are using the prescriptive or ERI paths. We will talk more about that on the next slide.
NYSERDA ENERGY CODE TRAINING
ALTERNATIVES

12. 4 54 46% 5 55 45% 6 Energy Rating Index Compliance Option Climate Zone
ERI
% Better than 2006 IECC 4 54
46% 5 55
45% 6
Based on HERS Index
Whole House Energy Scale
100 = 2006 IECC Prescriptive Home
0 = Net Zero Energy Home
Each Point Represents 1% Energy Reduction Relative to 100
The new Energy Rating Index compliance path is a different type of performance path that has been added in the 2015 code. The scale is based on the HERS index. ICC cannot reference a proprietary standard and at the time of the 2015 hearings the HERS Index was still proprietary. Since the hearings, ANSI/RESNET standard was published so in future versions of the code, HERS could be referenced directly. For now, the code refers to the HERS Index as an Energy Rating Index. The HERS index is the same rating system used for certification of many above code programs such as Energy Star.
Unlike Section 405, which is based on energy cost, the ERI is based on energy use, not cost.
The reference home for the Energy Rating index is a 2006 IECC home with all prescriptive minimums. Note that the baseline is not the 2015 prescriptive code. Each point reduction in ERI represents 1% reduction in energy use relative to that 100 baseline. So a home with an ERI of 40 is approximately 60% more efficient than a 2006 IECC home. A 0 represents a net zero energy home or a home that produces as much energy as it uses.
Although the code would allows a different scale to be created that could be used as an ERI, all of the parameters exactly match the HERS index (an industry supported standard) so other rating systems are unlikely to be used.
Much More Stringent Efficiency Target than Other Compliance Paths
NYSERDA ENERGY CODE TRAINING
COMPLIANCE

13. Want more info on the 2015 NYS Energy Code? …
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