2012 NC Residential Energy Code

1 12012 NC Residential Energy CodeEffective Use of the North Carolina Energy Conservation CodeThe North Carolina Energy Conservation code (NCECC) is a statewide enforced code that regulates minimum Energy conservation requirements for new buildings, additions and renovations to existing buildingsThe NCECC addresses Energy conservation requirements for all aspects of Energy uses in both commercial and Residential construction, including heating and ventilating, lighting, water heating, and power usage for appliances and building systems.

2 2 North Carolina 2012 Residential CodeJanuary 1, 2012 Effective DateMarch 1, 2012 Enforceable DateBorn from the Model Codes 2009 IECC is the Base NC-Specific Changes Adopted in 2012 Goal 15% Energy Savings from 2006 IECC 30% Savings with voluntary appendixArrangement and Format of the 2012 Energy CodeChapter 1 AdministrationChapter 2 DefinitionsChapter 3 Climate ZonesChapter 4 Residential Energy EfficiencyChapter 5 Commercial Energy EfficiencyChapter 6 Referenced StandardsNC Building code : Chapter 11 Residential Energy Efficiency3 Building Types Addressed For the Residential Energy CodeR-2, R-3, R-4, or townhouses, Residential structures three stories or less in heightDetached one and two-family dwellingsAreas that Must ComplyNew Construction & Change of UseHeated and Cooled Space during Normal Operation 50 F or higher (heating) 85 F or lower (cooling) Scope This chapter shall regulate the design and construction of buildings for the effective use of Energy .

3 This code is intended to provide flexibility to permit the use of innovative approaches and techniques to achieve the effective use of Energy . This code is not intended to prevent the use of any material, method of construction, design or insulating system not specifically prescribed herein, provided that such construction, design or insulating system has been approved by the code official as meeting the intent of this code . Exception: Portions of the building envelope that do not enclose conditioned Existing as specified in this chapter, this code shall not be used to require the removal, alteration or abandonment of, nor prevent the continued use and maintenance of, an existing buildingor building system lawfully in existence at the time of adoption of this Any building or structure that is listed in the State or National Register of Historic Places.

4 Designated as a historic property under local or state designation law or Additions, alterations, renovations or , 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 . Additions, alterations, renovations or repairs shall not create an unsafe or hazardous condition or overload existing building systems.

5 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 : The following need not comply provided the Energy use of the building is not increased: Storm windows installed over existing fenestration. Incidental repairs requiring a new sash or new glazing. Existing ceiling, wall or floor cavities exposed during construction provided that these cavities are filled with insulation. Construction where the existing roof, wall or floor cavity is not exposed.

6 Reroofing for roofs where neither the sheathing nor the insulation is exposed. Roofs without insulation in the cavity and where the sheathing or insulation is exposed during reroofing shall be insulated either above or below the sheathing. 6 Exceptions continued Replacement of existing doors that separate conditioned space from the exterior shall not require the installation of a vestibule or revolving door, provided, however, that an existing vestibule that separates a conditioned space from the exterior shall not be removed, Alterations that replace less than 50 percent of the luminaires in a space, provided that such alterations do not increase the installed interior lighting power.

7 Alterations that replace only the bulb and ballast within the existing luminaires in a space provided that the alteration does not increase the installed interior lighting power. Converting unconditioned attic space to conditioned attic space for one and two-family dwellings and townhouses. Ceilings shall be insulated to a minimum of R-30, walls shall be insulated to the exterior wall requirements in Tables and and follow backing requirements in Section Change in occupancy or undergoing a change in occupancy that would result in an increase in demand for either fossil fuel or electrical Energy shall comply with this code .

8 Where the use in a space changes from one use in Table to another use in Table , the installed lighting wattage shall comply with Section Change in space conditioning. Any non-conditioned space that is altered to become conditioned space shall be required to be brought into full compliance with this : See , exception Mixed occupancy. Where a building includes both Residential and commercial occupancies, each occupancy shall be separately considered and meet the applicable provisions of Chapter 4 for Residential and Chapter 5 for Pathways to Compliance Prescriptive Software Tradeoffs RESC heck, Can only trade off the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient to a.

9 40 SHGCand no tradeoff for higher efficiency HVAC equipment Performance (computer modeling)Component Trade-off Approach(such as RESC heck) Allows Trade-offs between components Whole building performance must be better than or equal to the minimum (with some exceptions) SHGC of is required for climate zones 3 and 4 Can trade-off up to .40 SHGC Envelope requirements may not be traded off against Performance-based compliance Typically Determined by Home Energy Rating or other building computer modeling Compares proposed design with a code compliant standard reference design Has the most builder options Most complex Specifics covered in Section 405 Simulated Performance Alternative(And at the end of this presentation) Additional Voluntary Criteria for Increasing Residential Energy Efficiency.

10 (Appendix 4)Implementation of the increased Energy efficiency measures is strictly voluntary at the option of the permit holder. The sole purpose of the appendix is to provide guidance for achieving additional Residential Energy efficiency improvements that have been evaluated to be those that are most cost effective for achieving an additional 15-20% improvement in Energy efficiency beyond code TerminologyFULLY ENCLOSED ATTIC FLOOR SYSTEM The ceiling insulation is enclosed on all six sides by an air barrier system, such as taped drywall below, solid framing joists on the sides, solid blocking on the ends.