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1 BULLETIN U L L E T I NState of New JerseyDepartment of Community AffairsDivision of Codes and StandardsPO Box 802 Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0802 Chris ChristieGovernorKim GuadagnoLt. GovernorCharles A. RichmanCommissionerDate: December 2015 Supersedes Bulletin No. 11-1 Code Ref. Update: January 2016 Subject: Energy Subcode 5 (f) , (b) and 1 of 615-4 The Uniform Construction Code requires applicants to show compliance withthe Energy Subcode as part of the permit application process for a newly-constructed building or an addition; rehabilitated buildings must meet therequirements under 5:23-6, the Rehabilitation : Buildings not heated or cooled do not have to meet the Energy methods vary dependent on climate zone and building type.

2 TheEnergy Subcode separates the State into two climates zones as follows:Zone 4A Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex,Gloucester, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Salem and Unioncounties;Zone 5A Bergen, Hunterdon, Mercer, Morris, Passaic, Somerset,Sussex and Warren Energy Subcode divides buildings into two categories: low-rise residentialand commercial, which includes all buildings that are not low-rise APPLICATION/PLAN REVIEWThe following is a description of the alternatives for documenting energy subcodecompliance at the time of permit residential buildings are defined as one- and two-family dwellingsor multiple-family buildings three stories or less in height.

3 Compliance must bein accordance with the Energy Subcode and the 2015 International EnergyConservation Code (IECC), and for low-rise residential buildings, may bedemonstrated in one of four ways:1. COMPLIANCE WITH CALCULATIONS: This has been the traditional way thatcompliance with energy codes has been shown. It involves calculating the U value (thermal transmittance) of the various building components (walls, floors,roofs, etc.) and showing that they are less than the code-specified maximum forBULLETIN U L L E T I N15-4 Page 2 of 6the components.

4 Guidance on how to perform the calculations can be found inthe American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers,Inc. (ASHRAE) Handbook of COMPLIANCE WITH RESCHECK SOFTWARE: The software program performs thecalculations based on input about the shape and size of the building, the type ofinsulation and windows and the type of equipment that the applicant proposes touse. The software is available as a free download from the website: The 2015 IECC version of the software should be usedand can be selected under Code in the menu bar at top.

5 The software simplyrequires the input of the areas of the various components, the R value of insulation,and the U value of windows and doors. Based on Section , entitled Total UA alternative, the software automatically gives trade-offs. A compliancereport is generated by the software program, which is to be submitted with thepermit application. It must meet or exceed the 2015 IECC ( passes by zeropercent or better) based on the applicable climate zone location specified foreach : REScheck is the software most commonly used to demonstrate compliancewith the energy subcode.

6 However, the US Department of Energy does list otherbuilding energy software tools that can be used in lieu of REScheck as long asthe tool chosen determines compliance with the provisions of the 2015 IECC,specifically the building envelope and HVAC requirements. These tools can befound at COMPLIANCE WITH CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAM FOR RESIDENTIAL NEWCONSTRUCTION (FORMELY NJ ENERGYSTAR HOMES): This program is sponsored bythe New Jersey Board of Public Utilities through its Clean Energy Program ( ). The program provides incentives andtechnical assistance for projects that exceed the Energy Subcode.

7 A letter ofenrollment (typically the builder s acknowledgment letter) from the NJ CleanEnergy Program market manager should be submitted with the permitapplication if the applicant is choosing this compliance option. Inspections forthis program are handled by Home Energy Rating company, except that SectionR403, entitled Systems, of the 2015 IECC must be verified by the localconstruction office. Upon application for a new home s Certificate of Occupancy,the program s verification summary ( passing final inspection report) shouldbe COMPLIANCE WITH PRESCRIPTIVE PACKAGE: Previous adoptions of the energysubcode allowed for the use of a prescriptive package based on climate zonelocation and window-to-wall ratios.

8 Following are the applicable portions ofTable of the 2015 IECC that can be applied as a prescriptive applicant need only identify that he/she is using the prescriptive packageand then show the corresponding details on the plans. If a proposed building hasU factors (a measure of the windows ef ficiency) that are equal to or lower thanthe values found on the appropriate line in the chart, and R values that are equalto or higher than those listed in the chart, the building U L L E T I N15-4 Page 3 of 6 Note: Table applies to typical wood-framed construction.

9 Steel-framedconstruction equivalents are different and may be found in Table of the2015 of the compliance method chosen, the documentation must be signedand sealed by a design professional, except that in Class 3 buildings, as describedat 5 (d), the documentation may be signed and sealed by theHVACR contractor, and in the case of a single-family detached dwelling wherethe homeowner resides or intends to reside in the dwelling, the homeowner maysign the energy code compliance buildings are defined as all buildings other than low-rise residentialbuildings.

10 Compliance must be in accordance with the Energy Subcode and2013 ASHRAE Standard , and for commercial buildings, may bedemonstrated in one of two ways:1. COMPLIANCE WITH CALCULATIONS: This is very much like the calculations forlow-rise residential buildings mentioned above. However, the applicant mustalso provide information on the type of lighting installed and its usage. Tip: Forbuilding thermal envelope, use Tables and , as applicable, for a startingpoint in your COMPLIANCE WITH COMCHECK SOFTWARE: This is very much like theREScheck software mentioned above.