1. IRC CHAPTER 11 AND HERS RESIDENTIAL ENERGY
Kelly Parker, P.E.
Oklahoma Building Summit
August 26, 2015

2. IRC Chapter 11 and HERS
HERS: Home Energy Rating System

3. IRC Chapter 11 and HERS

4. RESNET
The RESNET vision: “RESNET’s vision is of a world that encourages and rewards minimum building energy use through independent, performance-based building certification.”

5. RESNET
The RESNET mission: “RESNET’s mission is to ensure the success of the building energy performance certification industry, set the standards of quality and increase the opportunity for ownership of high performance buildings.”

6. Who Recognizes RESNET’s Standards
Builders (for the HERS Rating)
Contractors (the emerging retrofit market)
States and municipalities for code compliance
Federal government agencies
IRS: EPACT new housing tax credit
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): the ENERGY STAR for Homes program (Version 3)
Department of Energy (DOE): Building America and National Builders Challenge programs

7. 2009 International Residential Code Chapter 11

8. Approved software is used to develop a Index.
REM/Rate
Energy Gauge
Others

9. IRC CHAPTER 11 AND HERS HERS inputs into REM/Rate:
General building inputs (sf, vol, # of floors, bedrooms)
Foundation wall properties
Slab floor properties (sf, insulation, exposed perimeter)
Floors over unconditioned space.
Rim and band properties (sf, R-value)
Above grade wall properties (sf, type)
Windows and glass doors (sf, U-factor, SHGC, shading)
Door properties
Ceiling properties (sf, type, R-value)

10. Chapter 11 and HERS HERS inputs into REM/Rate:
Mechanical equipment properties (Btuh, efficiency)
Duct system summary (sf, R-value, location, leakage)
Blower door test (leakage)
Mechanical ventilation
Appliances and lighting summary

11. IRC 2009 RESIDENTIAL ENERGY
New Codes are here and adopted statewide July, 2011.
The 2009 IRC addresses issues that have been building problems in the past.
Several problem areas that have been around for years will now have solutions.

12. Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission www.ok.gov.oubcc/
Adopted Building Codes
Code Adopted
Effective Date of Adoption
Modifications to the code
International Residential Code ®, 2009 Edition (IRC®, 2009)
July 15, 2011
Click Here for modifications to the code adopted by reference
Adopted Building Codes
Code Adopted
Effective Date of Adoption
Modifications to the code
International Residential Code ®, 2009 Edition (IRC®, 2009)
July 15, 2011
Click Here for modifications to the code adopted by reference

13. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Scope This chapter is for regulating the design and construction of buildings to improve the energy efficiency of those structures.

14. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Compliance
Demonstrated by either meeting the requirements of this chapter or the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code.
Requirements are climate specific according to Figures N and Table N

15. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N and Table N1101.2
Climate Zones, Moisture Regimes, and Warm-Humid Designations (clarification)
Places all the above info into one table.
Provides county designations for clarity and usability.
Warm humid counties are now indicated with an asterisk.
All counties in Oklahoma are Climate Zone 3A except for Beaver, Cimarron, and Texas located in the panhandle which are 4B

16. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
By accepting State Energy Program funding and submitting letters assuring the Department of Energy that their states would comply with the terms of Section 410, all 50 states have committed to do three things:
Adopt a residential building energy code that meets or exceeds the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC);¹
Adopt a commercial building energy code that meets or exceeds the ANSI/American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)/IESNA Standard ; and
Develop and implement a plan, including active training and enforcement provisions, to achieve 90 percent compliance with the target codes by 2017, including measuring current compliance each year.
¹ U.S. DOE has determined that the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) does not meet the energy provisions of the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

17. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Identification The code is to identify materials, systems and equipment that allow for the determination of compliance to meet the energy efficiency requirements of this chapter.

18. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
Pursuant to ARRA requirements and to obtain Oklahoma’s $46,704,000 million portion of the SEP, and following Governor Henry’s letter of commitment to Secretary Chu on February 20, 2009, Oklahoma enacted a law on June 2, 2009, creating the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission (UBCC). This enactment was Oklahoma’s first step towards meeting one priority of SEP, which is the “establishment of enforcement of energy efficient building codes and standards, and implementation of voluntary programs that impact new design”.
Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission Act, 59 O.S. §§ et seq. (2009).
Oklahoma Department of Commerce

19. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
All counties are in zone 3A
Except Beaver, Cimarron, and Texas, which are in zone 4B.
Pursuant to ARRA requirements and to obtain Oklahoma’s $46,704,000 million portion of the SEP, and following Governor Henry’s letter of commitment to Secretary Chu on February 20, 2009, Oklahoma enacted a law on June 2, 2009, creating the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission (UBCC). This enactment was Oklahoma’s first step towards meeting one priority of SEP, which is the “establishment of enforcement of energy efficient building codes and standards, and implementation of voluntary programs that impact new design”.
Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission Act, 59 O.S. §§ et seq. (2009).
Oklahoma Department of Commerce

20. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Building Thermal Envelope Insulation
All installed insulation ≥12” must have the R-value marked or a certificate must be provided.
For sprayed or blown insulation (fiberglass or cellulose), a certificate must list:
Initial installed thickness
Settled thickness
Settled R-value
Installed density
Coverage area
Number of bags installed

21. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Building Thermal Envelope Insulation (continued)
For sprayed polyurethane
foam:
Installed thickness
R-value of installation
Sticker shall be signed, dated and posted in a “conspicuous location on the job site.”

22. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Blown or Sprayed Roof/Ceiling Insulation
Markers installed 1 for every 300sf with numbers at least 1” tall to help determine the depth of the installed insulation.
Stickers must face the attic access opening.

23. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Fenestration Product Rating
For U-factors (windows, doors and skylights) and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) (glazed fenestration) must have a label on each product or assigned a default value from Tables N1101.5(1)-N1101.5(3).
Must be accredited by an independent lab and labeled and certified by the manufacturer.

24. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Above Code Programs
National, state, or local energy efficiency programs may be used, at the building official or other jurisdiction’s discretion as conforming to the energy code.
REM/Rate and HERS Index
REScheck

25. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Permanent Energy Certificate (modification)
Certificate shall not cover or obstruct required labels on an electrical distribution panel. (Sticker not required in Oklahoma)
An efficiency shall not be listed for gas-fired unvented room heaters, electric furnaces, or electric baseboard heaters.

26. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
Coming to ALL Houses
Example

27. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Insulation and Fenestration Criteria The building envelope shall meet the requirements found in Table N according to climate zones found in Table N

28. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency

29. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N R-value Computation
Shall be the sum of the wall insulation R-value plus the exterior sheathing. No other components are included.
The settled R-value shall be used for blown insulation.

30. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N U-factor Alternative
U-factor from Table N shall be allowed instead of the R-values from Table N
Comment: U-factor is the inverse of the R-value. Ceiling U-factor of is equal to an R-value of U=1/R

31. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Total UA Alternative “If the total building thermal envelope UA (sum of the U-factor times assembly area) is less than or equal to the total UA resulting from using the U-factors in Table N , (multiplied by the same assembly area as in the proposed building), the building shall be considered in compliance with Table N ”

32. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Ceilings with Attic Spaces
Section requires increased R-values over the exterior wall top plates:
R-30 where R-38 is called for in attic.
R-38 where R-49 is called for in attic.
Does not address R-30 insulation requirement.
The stated insulation must be uncompressed. Comment: An R-30 batt in a 6” cavity is approximately equal to an R-21.

34. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Ceilings without Attic Spaces Where >R-30 is required for a ceiling but space does not allow for it, R-30 shall be allowed for up to 500sf.

35. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Ceiling and Access Hatch Insulation Requirements (clarification)
Access doors to unconditioned space will be weatherstripped and insulated to same R-value as the ceiling.
Insulation baffle installed at edges to prevent spilling into the living space and maintain the installed R-value.

36. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
Table N Steel Framed Wall Insulation (modification) Contains an option for steel framed wall without cavity insulation for Zones 1 thru 4. Apply continuous insulation R-10 to outside (equivalent of wood frame R-13).

37. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Floors
Floor insulation must be placed in permanent contact with the subfloor.
Comment: Staples are not permanent; gravity eventually wins. Requires tension wires or equivalent.

38. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Basement Walls
Basement walls for conditioned space shall be insulated from the grade plane to either 10 feet below or to the basement floor, whichever is less.
For climate zone 3, requires either an R-5 on the exterior or R-13 on the interior.
No wall insulation required if the floor above the basement is insulated.

39. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Slab-on-grade Floors
No insulation required for Climate Zone 3.
Comment: Slab insulation can be used for the Federal Tax Credit, which expired December 31. We are hoping it will be renewed.
Comment: Some builders are achieving a HERS Index of 70 (30% more efficient than a house built to the 2004 IECC) and less to obtain the state tax credit.

40. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Crawl Space Walls
Nothing required if floor is insulated and crawl is vented.
If unvented, crawl space wall insulation must be permanently attached from the floor to the finished Grade level and then vertically and/or horizontally an additional 24 inches.
Exposed earth shall be covered with a Class I vapor retarder, overlapped 6” and joints sealed or taped and attached to the stem wall at a height of at least 6”.

42. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Thermal Isolated Sunroom Insulation
Ceiling insulation shall be R-19 for Climate Zones 1-4 and R-24 for Zones 5-8.
Wall insulation shall be at least an R-13.
New walls to meet current construction code requirements.

43. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Glazed Fenestration Exemption U-factor and SHGC requirements can be waived for up to 15sf of glass. N Opaque Door Exemption For one opaque door up to 24sf can be exempted from the U-factor requirements.

44. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Replacement Fenestration Shall meet the requirements for U-factor and SHGC from Table N

45. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Sealing of the Building Thermal Envelope (clarification)
Joints, seams and penetrations
Site-built windows, doors, and skylights
Openings between windows/doors and framing or jambs
Utility penetrations
Dropped ceilings or chases
Kneewalls
Walls and ceilings separating garage from conditioned space
Behind tubs and showers on exterior walls
Common walls between units
Attic access openings
Rim joist junction
Other sources of infiltration

46. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
Envelope leakage testing option to 7 ACH at 50 Pa. Seven requirements for testing. N
Visual inspection option allowed by code official by third party independent from the insulation contractor following list in N

47. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Recessed Lighting (modification)
Shall be IC rated.
Shall be labeled as meeting ASTM E 283 for air leakage.
Shall be sealed with caulk or a gasket between the housing and interior wall.
New term: ICAT, Insulation Contact Air Tight

48. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Programmable Thermostat
Each dwelling unit shall have one thermostat capable of maintaining a daily schedule to maintain different temperature set points.
Must be able to achieve temperatures from 55° to 85°.
Not required in Oklahoma at this time. Update: July, 2015 new IRC??

49. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Heat Pump Supplementary Heat When supplementary electric resistance heat, must have controls preventing supplemental heat operation when the unit is capable of meeting the heating load.
Emergency Heating

50. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Duct Insulation
Ducts in unconditioned space shall be R-8. All others shall be R-6.
Oklahoma Tax Credit: Supply and return ducts shall be insulated to a minimum of R-8

51. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Duct Sealing (addition)
Duct tightness shall be verified by either
Post construction test, leakage to outside at 8 cfm per 100 sf or total leakage test at 12 cfm per 100 sf, both at 25 Pa.
Rough-in test, total leakage at 6 cfm per 100 sf tested at 25 Pa.
(Visual inspection may be used instead of the rough-in test and post construction test in Oklahoma.)

52. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Building Cavities Building framing cavities shall not be used as supply ducts N Mechanical System Piping Insulation All mechanical system piping carrying fluids above 105°F or below 55°F must be insulated to at least an R-3.

53. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Circulating Hot Water Systems
All lines shall be insulated to at least an R-2.
In addition, there must be a readily accessible manual switch for disengaging the system when not being used.

54. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Equipment Sizing
“Heating and cooling equipment shall be sized as specified in Section M ”
All buildings must have load calculations performed.
M Sizing
HVAC system sized according to ACCA Manual S based on load calculations from ACCA Manual J (Version 8 is the latest version)
Comment: ACCA Manual S - Residential Heating and Cooling Equipment Selection
Comment: ACCA Manual J8 – Residential Load Calculation

55. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Pool Heaters
All pool heaters shall have a readily accessible on/off switch for turning the equipment off without adjusting the thermostat.
No continuous burning pilot lights allowed.

56. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Time Switches Heaters and pumps must have time switches installed that can automatically control use of those components.

57. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N Pool Covers
Heated pools shall have a vapor retardant pool cover on or at the water surface. Comment: removed from the code for Oklahoma.
Pools heated above 90°F must have a cover with an R-value of at least 12. Comment: remains in the Oklahoma code.

58. Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency
N1104 Lighting Systems (addition)
50% of permanently installed lighting fixtures required to be CFLs or other high-efficacy lamps.
Comment: Can or
recessed lighting are
exempt in Oklahoma.
Update, 2015 IRC??

59. Kelly Parker, P.E. kellypar@gwssi.com 405-946-0206
Thank You for Your Time
Kelly Parker, P.E.