Building Energy Codes 101 - An Introduction

1. Department of EnergyEnergy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Building Energy Codes 101 - An Introduction PNNL-SA-72577

2. Purpose: To provide a basic introduction to the varied and complex issues associated with building energy codes. • Authors: The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Building Energy Codes Program (BECP), with valued assistance from the International Codes Council (ICC) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). • Audience: Anyone with an interest in building energy efficiency, including state energy officials, architects, engineers, designers, and members of the public. • For more information on building energy codes, refer to the BECP website at www.energycodes.gov.

3. U.S. Energy Use

4. Code Benefits Reduced energy consumption by approximately 0.5-quadrillion Btu per year by 2015,and 3.5-quadrillionBtu per yearby 2030. Reduced CO2 emissionsby roughly 3 percent in terms of the projected national CO2 emissions in 2030. Rising cost savingsmore than $4 billionper year back inhomeowners’ pockets by 2015, a figure that could rise to over $30 billion per year by 2030

5. Code Challenges • Code Development • Reaching consensus on the details • Code Adoption • Not automatic in many states • Code Compliance • Learning to design using new standards and techniques • Implementing new requirements at the jobsite • Providing staff and resources to plan, review, and inspect.

6. Building Energy Codes ASHRAE Standard 90.1 International Energy Conservation Code State and Locally Adopted Codes

7. What Do Building Energy Codes and Standards Cover? For both residential and commercial: • Building Envelope • Mechanical • Service Water Heating • Lighting • Electrical Power

8. Energy Codes & Standards History Residential Codes 86 MEC 93 MEC 98 IECC 03 IECC 09 IECC 77 MCEC 83 MEC 89 MEC 92 MEC 95 MEC 00 IECC 06 IECC 90A-1980 90.1-1989 90.1-1999 90.1-2001 90.1-2004 90.1-2007 Codified 90.1-1989 90-1975 Commercial Standards Federal 10 CFR433 10 CFR434FEDCOM II 10 CFR434FEDCOM I 10 CFR435 FEDCOM 0 10 CFR 435 COSTSAFR 10 CFR 435Subpart A FEDRES

9. Model Codes & Standards Common Versions Title Type Applicability International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) Model Energy Code Residential & commercial buildings; mandatory, enforceable language 2003 IECC2006 IECC 2009 IECC ASHRAE Standard 90.1 Energy Efficient Design of New Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings Energy Standard All buildings except residential 3 stories or less 90.1-2004 90.1-2007

10. Baseline: IECC and ASHRAE 90.1 IECC applies Both IECC and ASHRAE 90.1 apply,either used to comply Both IECC and ASHRAE 90.1 apply, ASHRAE 90.1 likely used

11. Code Development –Open and Public

12. IECC Code Process Public CommentPeriod CodeDevelopment Hearing, PublicTestimony, Committee Vote,PossibleAssembly Vote,ProposalsSubmitted Final ActionHearing,PublicTestimony,Final Vote ofGovernmentalMembers CodeChangeProposalsSubmitted New CodePublished andDistributed by Date Certain Challengesof CodeDevelopment Hearing ProposedModifications

13. ASHRAE 90.1 Process SubstantiveChanges CommitteeProposesStandardChanges PublicReviewandComment ASHRAEBoard ofDirectorsApproval NewStandardsor AddendaPublished CommentAccepted CommitteeApproval ANSI Approval Appeal ofCommitteeApproval upheld denied

14. Energy Code Adoption • Can occur at the state or local level in one of two ways: • directly through legislative action (state level) • by regulatory action throughstate or local agencies.

15. Typical Adoption Process,State and Local State Energy Office StateAppointed Council or Committee ApprovingAuthorityReviewsLegislation orRegulation ProposalUndergoesPublic ReviewProcess Results AreIncorporatedinto theProposal After Filed or Approved, Code BecomesLaw Local Building Officials Mayor City Council

16. How Energy Codes AffectBuilding Design and Construction • Wall, floor, ceiling • Doors, windows • Heating, ventilating,and cooling systems andequipment • Lighting systems andequipment • Water-heating systemsand equipment

17. Codes and Architecture Increased insulation levels andefficient windows coupled with an efficient lighting system will reduce the heat loss from the building and heat gain from the lighting system.

18. Codes and Construction For Instance The residential builder may use2” X 6” studs(instead of 2” X 4”)for walls in a homeso that higher levels of insulation can beinstalled to meetthe code.

19. Building Envelope The energy code specifies the insulation levels in the floor, ceiling, and walls and requirements intended to seal the building against air leakage and moisture migration.

20. Heating, ventilating, and cooling Energy codes providecriteria for thesize and efficiency of HVAC systems and equipment.

21. Lighting and Electrical The energy codes provideminimum criteria to supportefficient, effective lighting—and in commercial spaces—lighting controls.

22. Water Heating Energy codes provideminimum criteria toeffectively heat anddeliver hot water.

23. Going Above and Beyond Code Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation, Community Health Building, Bethel, AK ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small Office Buildings, 2004

24. Energy Code Enforcement and Compliance Enforcement, or making sure that a building is in compliance with an energy code, is the last step in the building process.

25. Codes and the Building Process C O M P L I A N C E Local Code Local Government Save Energyand Money Reduce CarbonEmissions ArchitectsBuilders andEngineers Building Construction BuildingEnergy Code State Code State Government Review Plans Review products, materialsequipment specifications Review tests, certificationreports, product listings Inspect building and itssystems during construction Evaluate materialssubstituted in the field Inspect prior to occupancy

26. DOE Support DOE and Federal Support includes: • Participation in development andupdating of codes andstandards • Provision of financial andtechnical assistance toadopt, implement, andenforce codes and standards. • Provide compliancetools. • Provide information andresources, complianceproducts, training, and energycode related news.

27. REScheck™ DOE’s residential compliance software Desktop Software Tools Web-Based Tools (Windows or Mac version) No-cost, easy-to-use software that will demonstrate compliance. www.energycodes.gov/software.stm

28. COMcheck™ DOE’s commercial compliance software Desktop Software Tools Web-Based Tools (Windows or Mac version) No-cost, easy-to-use software that will demonstrate compliance. www.energycodes.gov/software.stm

29. Adopt, Implement, Enforce – Resources www.energycodes.gov

30. Adopt, Implement, Enforce – Resources BECP is developing guidelines and tools to use in measuring compliance with building energy codes, which: • Foster uniformity and objectivity in measuring compliance rates • Eliminate need for each state to develop itsown procedures and tools • Provide tools that states can adapt for their own preferred use • Collect additional data and support related activities.

32. Thank You! • Additional resources, including: • Code Notes • Technical Assistance to Users • Energy Codes 101 • Setting the Standard • Training Materials • Resource Center • Are available through theBuilding Energy Codes Program • For more information, contact: • Jean Boulin, Program Manager • Phone: 202-586-9870 • Email: Jean.Boulin@ee.doe.gov www.energycodes.gov PNNL-SA-72577