Based on the 2009 IECC By: Eric N. George o Main focus is on the - - PDF document

Based on the 2009 IECC By: Eric N. George

• Main focus is on the building “envelope”
• There are 3 “Compliance Paths” = Prescriptive,

UA Alternative, and Performance Path

• Windows = U-factor .35, max = .48
• Basement walls = R10 from footer to top
• Slab insulation – R10 2 feet deep
• Recessed lights – Must be ICAT-labeled (air-tight)
• Attic Insulation over exterior top plates = R30
• Ducts located in unconditioned space
• Supply ducts = R8
• All other ducts = R6 minimum

• Ducts in unconditioned space must be visually

inspected for air-sealing OR duct-blaster tested

• Max leakage to outside = 8 CFM/100 SF floor area
• Air-tightness of building must be visually inspected

before drywall and/or blower-door tested

• Max air-leakage rate = 7 ACH@50 Pa
• Attic hatches & doors to unconditioned space

must be weather-stripped and insulated to same R-value as surrounding area

• Fireplaces must have gasketed doors & provide
• utside combustion air
• Labels & Certificates will be required
• Using the Performance Path, the efficiency of the

HVAC system is not considered for compliance.

• The building envelope’s annual energy use must be

equal to the same-size house meeting the prescriptive requirements.

Conditioned Space: Any area or room within a building that is heated or cooled, regardless of whether

• r not the area or room

is considered “finished space”. Ex) Most unfinished basements are “conditioned” Building Thermal Envelope:

The basement walls, exterior walls, floor, ceilings, and any other building element that enclose the conditioned space & separate indoors from outdoors

The new energy code will effect all residential builders and their subs. Each sub needs to know what is expected

• Builders
• Framers
• Windows & doors
• Electricians, Plumbers, and HVAC
• Insulators
• Foundation crews
• HERS Raters*
• Which compliance path to choose?
• Will there be an HVAC system in the attic?
• What type of HVAC system & efficiency ratings?
• Where and how will the thermal boundary be

established (insulation)?

• Where and how the air-barriers will be installed?
• What sub will be responsible for each function?
• Must ensure that ALL mandatory provisions are

met

• Provide blueprints with all insulation levels,

window & door U-factors

• Blueprints should include square footage per floor, all

exterior dimensions, including window & door R.O.

• Identify areas on blueprints that will need attention before

drywall is installed

• Knee walls facing attic space
• Fireplaces & tubs/showers on exterior walls
• Cantilevers
• Bulkheads, soffits, and chase cavities
• Double walls
• Staircase walls

• R10 perimeter insulation required (2” thick)
• Downward from top of slab 24” minimum
• Insulation can be vertical or extend horizontally

under the slab or out from the building

• For horizontal, insulation must be under 10” of soil
• Can be angled or tapered off at 45 degree angle at edge

 For unfinished basements, you will need to

insulate to R5 minimum, either exterior or interior

 Prescriptively, R10 is required from footer to top of

wall

• Using the Performance Path, R5 on the top 4’ around the

entire perimeter often passes

 For “conditioned crawlspaces”, R5-R10 on the

inside of the wall from footer to top

• Optimal framing practices
• “California corners”, ladder-T’s, insulated headers, etc
• Will there be an HVAC system in the attic?
• Is there an attic access inside the home?
• Where blocking is needed for air-barriers
• Knee walls – On attic side, includes a top & bottom plate
• Cantilevered floors – Fill completely & block above

foundation wall

• Bonus rooms over garages – Block & seal openings to

side attic spaces

Exterior  Interior

All wall cavities MUST have a six-sided air-barrier! Top, Bottom, Left, Right, Front, and Back

No top-plate!

All wall cavities MUST have a six-sided air-barrier! Gable End Walls

No top-plate!

How to insulate properly? Should be filled completely with blown-in insulation or batt that is thick enough to fill cavity. Air-seal blocking to framing with foam or silicone caulk Must install blocking above and behind soffits if on exterior walls, or if unconditioned space is directly above.

Easiest way to insulate skylights is with spray-foam insulation, otherwise it’s very difficult to get the air-barrier right!

Must extend the FULL height & width of shower or tub! Must be SECURED & SEALED to framing! How will this be insulated? Who will need to do it?

• Install R2 on water lines in a circulating system
• Must install automatic or manual shut-off for when

system is not in use

• Be conscious of the SIZE of the holes they cut!
• Don’t make it any bigger than it has to be!
• Ensure exterior walls behind tubs/showers are

insulated with an interior air-barrier PRIOR to tub installation.

• Can also blow-in insulation through air-barrier, then seal

the holes

• Install ICAT-labeled recessed lights adjacent to

unconditioned space

• ICAT = Insulation Contact Air-Tight
• Prescriptively, install 50% or more CFL or LED

lights in permanent fixtures

• These do not have to be Energy Star “pin-based” fixtures
• IC-Rated and labeled

with no penetrations between inside and

• utside of can.
• Sealed with a gasket

and/or can is caulked/foamed to drywall ceiling.

• Location of the thermal boundary
• Estimated air-leakage rate (for Manual J sizing)
• Insulation levels throughout, including window &

door performance data (for Manual J sizing)

• Will there be a system located in an unconditioned

attic?

• Heating & cooling load calcs using Manual J or
• ther approved software
• R-8 supply ducts in unconditioned space
• If using Performance Path, use R-6
• R-6 for return air ducts in unconditioned spaces
• Sealed duct work with mastic, UL-181 metal tape,

and/or silicone caulk

• One programmable thermostat for each forced-air

system

• Heat-pumps must have a control to prevent

emergency heat from coming on too early

• R-3 insulation on all piping carrying fluids over 105

degrees or under 55 These are all mandatory requirements!

• ALL duct work must be sealed, including those

located inside conditioned space!

• If all ducts are inside conditioned space, no duct

leakage testing required, however must still do a visual inspection by independent 3rd party (HERS Rater)

• Leakage to outside must be less than 8 CFM/100

SF of floor space serviced (each system)

• A Duct Blaster will be used to quantify leakage to
• utdoors

HERS Rater must provide certification that ducts meet Post-Construction standards:

• Leakage to outside <= 8 CFM per 100 SF floor area, OR
• Total leakage <= 12 CFM per 100 SF floor area

Rough-in standards:

• Total leakage with air-handler <= 6 CFM per 100 SF,

OR

• Total leakage without air-handler <= 4 CFM per 100 SF

Section 402.4.1 – Building Thermal Envelope

• Requires the envelope to be sealed to limit air-infiltration
• Use flexible, durable sealants to seal different building materials
• together. Example – Wood to metal, drywall to wood, etc
• Windows & doors MUST be sealed to framing with minimal

expansion foam. Stuffing fiberglass is NOT allowed!

• All utility penetrations to exterior
• Dropped ceilings, chases, bulkheads, etc that are adjacent to

thermal boundary

• Garage rim joists open to living space, between floors
• Behind bath tubs, showers, and fireplaces on exterior walls
• Double/common walls
• Attic access openings

Section 303.1.1 – “Building Thermal Envelope Insulation” - Insulation installers shall provide a certificate listing insulation type, manufacturer, number of bags used, square footage covered, and R-value installed

Section 303.1.1 – “Building Thermal Envelope Insulation”

Section 303.1.1.1 – Blown or sprayed roof/ceiling insulation must have one depth marker (ruler) installed for every 300 SF of attic

• space. Ruler should

face attic access to read easily.

Section 401.3 Certificate – A permanent certificate shall

be posted on or in the electrical distribution panel. The certificate shall not cover or obstruct the visibility of the circuit directory label, service disconnect label or other required

• labels. The certificate shall be completed by the builder or

registered design professional. The certificate shall list the predominant R-values of insulation install in or on ceiling/roof, walls, foundation (slab, basement wall, crawlspace walll and/or floor) and ducts outside conditioned spaces; U-factors for fenestration and the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of

• fenestration. Where there is more than one value for each

component, the certificate shall list the value covering the largest area.

Continued Section 401.3 Certificate – The certificate shall list the types and efficiencies of heating, cooling, and service water heating equipment. Where a gas-fired unvented room heater, electric furnace, or baseboard electric heater is install in the residence, the certificate shall list “gas-fired unvented room heater,” “electric furnace” or “baseboard electric heater” as appropriate. An efficiency shall not be listed for gas-fired unvented room heaters, electric furnaces or electric baseboard heaters.

Sample Certificate to comply with Section 401.3 Table 402.4.2 This checklist is modeled off the ENERGY STAR Home V2 “Thermal Bypass Checklist”

• Batt wall insulation should be cut to fit around electrical

boxes, split around plumbing and electrical lines, and not compressed in any way.

• It should completely fill the cavity, including behind

lateral framing and exterior corners

• Foundation insulation should be permanently secured
• Ceiling insulation should be even and continuous

across exterior top-plates. R30 minimum at edges! Do not provide enough clearance at ceiling edges for full amount of insulation!

Provides clearance at ceiling edges for full amount of insulation! All attic hatches must be weather-stripped and insulated to same R-value as surrounding area. Vertical hatches in knee walls must be sealed and insulated as well

If building on a ventilated crawlspace or a room over garage, floor insulation must be in direct contact & supported against subfloor. R19 is minimum code in Climate Zone 4 (KY) Foundations must be insulated to R10 continuous or R13 in framed cavities (Prescriptively)

• For continuous insulation this can be installed on

exterior or interior All openings to outside are sealed, with no vents needed The entire perimeter of the crawlspace walls should be insulated from footer to top with R5 minimum. Must be mechanically ventilated OR supplied with conditioned air at 1 CFM per 50 SF floor area Ground must be covered with 6 mil thick vapor barrier,

• verlapped 6” and all seams taped. Plastic should

extend up foundation walls at least 6” and be secured to wall or insulation.

Eric N. George The Building Performance Group 502-509-5535 Eric@BuildingPerformanceGroup.com www.BuildingPerformanceGroup.com www.NewKentuckyEnergyCode.com