Welcome to “At Home With Tom and Sandy.” Enjoy the read!
Sandy: Well, Tom, here we are once again, ready to keep our readers educated and informed. I have received several calls from homeowners asking what the energy code is all about. What do you say we talk about that?
Tom: Great topic. We educate our clients about this exact item quite often. Especially those homeowners with older homes; often those with homes built in the early 1900s.
Sandy: So, Tom, I know building codes in one form or another have been around for centuries, what do you say we give our readers a little history on the Energy Code? Buildings account for approximately 41% of all energy consumption and 72% of electricity usage in the United States. Building and energy code standards are in place to set minimum requirements for energy-efficient design and construction for new and renovated buildings, assuring reductions in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions over the life of buildings. Boy, did I start off with a big statement. Now, it is your turn.
Tom: Glad to. Around the late 1970s, the Department of Energy and the foundation organizations of the ICC (International Code Committee) began looking at ways to reduce energy consumption of the built environment and all facets of our lives. Working on updating codes and developing something that could be implemented introduced the initial IECC, (the International Energy Conservation Code) in the 1990s.
The code was developed by several organizations and the DOE basically endorsed the code. You and I are both aware that building code adoption of any kind is a local jurisdictional decision. The ICC recommends and the locals decide.
Sandy: Building codes are state laws. The United States does not have a national building code or energy code.
Tom: You are absolutely correct, Sandy. Instead, states and our local governments can choose to adopt one and/or a portion of the national energy code and or one of the many building codes, such as fire, electrical, structural or plumbing.
Sandy: Energy codes are different than appliance and equipment standards. Energy codes cover the building itself such as walls, insulation, windows, air leakage and duct leakage. Appliance and equipment standards cover energy consumption and usage of the products that go into our homes.
Sandy: Okay, Tom, how does the energy code work?
Tom: First, the energy codes are developed and as I said the International Code Council develops the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), which contains chapters for both residential and commercial buildings.
Sandy: How often are new codes developed?
Tom: New codes being developed every three years. Final versions of each new edition are determined by a vote of the committee.
Sandy: Codes are developed, and then they are adopted, which is what our local jurisdictions are going through right now. Our local jurisdictions are reviewing these codes through our Advisory & Appeals Boards, then through our mayors and councils for adoption.
Tom: Code Compliance is the final step and a key issue. The key to realizing the full savings potential of building energy codes is by ensuring that builders are complying with them. Sandy, it is great what YCCA and the local jurisdictions have been doing to educate and share with our industry the changes in the codes.
Tom: Our other jurisdictions: Town of Town of Chino Valley, Town of Prescott Valley, City of Prescott, all adopted the 2006 energy code several years ago and that really changed our industry quite a bit. The Town of Prescott Valley is staying with the 2006 Energy Code as is Yavapai County. The City of Prescott adopted the 2012 Energy Code.
Tom: For commercial construction, the compliance system is referred to as COMcheck. REScheck is for residential. That is the one I am most familiar with. These software systems will help analyze a building’s design by assigning a value to the various components. These values are added up and the overall building needs to hit established minimums to be considered compliant.
Sandy: There are a lot of details that go into that process. The standards for construction have changed quite a bit through the years. Areas such as foundations, insulation, minimum R values for walls and roofs, window size and orientation are just a few of the components affected.
With new construction, meeting those standards is a little easier than when remodeling an existing older home. How do you incorporate these new codes into your projects?
Tom: Great question. As you might suspect, each project can be a little different. The accepted standard by local jurisdictions is that if you touch it, you must bring it up to current codes. That includes all building codes.
Sandy: So if you remove the drywall in a master bath remodel, will you have to change the structure and electrical if it does not meet current codes?
Tom: Depends. If we are making a new window opening then the structure must comply. If we open the wall up for plumbing modifications and it is an exterior wall then we would need to bring the insulation of the opened area up to code. That can be a challenge sometimes, depending on wall thickness.
Sandy: What if you can’t meet the code? Will jurisdictions look at extenuating circumstances on a case by case basis?
Tom: Usually, yes. We have found building officials to be realistic in the application of codes.
Sandy: Do you need to perform a REZcheck on remodels of an existing home?
Tom: Typically, only if we are doing an addition to the home. The addition must meet the energy code standards.
The goal in adopting the Energy code is of course to reduce the energy footprint of the built environment. In developing the code, the committee looked at the areas and components of a building that typically cause energy to be consumed and created standards for these to address the specific cause.
Sandy: Windows, Doors, Duct work, HVAC systems all those have standards based on reducing energy consumption. Not just insulation, although that is addressed.
The climate in different areas will require a different approach and different standards. Tell our readers how this is addressed. One size does not fit all!
Tom: Very true! The codes established different zones to address the variations of climate in different areas. Yavapai County alone has 5 different zones. The standards in Camp Verde are not the same as Crown King.
Sandy: What are some of the differences?
Tom: Perhaps the most obvious would be insulation requirements. Less obvious would be the U value in windows.
Sandy: Ahhhh I know what U value is – the measurement of the ability of the window to transmit heat.
Tom: WOW, you are not just another pretty face! That is correct. The lower the U value the greater resistance to heat transfer.
Sandy: Thanks for that, mister. So, in short, the energy code is here to stay. It has added cost to the construction of buildings. Has anyone determined the savings to the homeowners?
Tom: Great question. I am sure they have but I am not aware of a study. Might be a google moment.
Sandy: Tom, this is a huge subject that we have just lightly touched upon. I say we continue this topic next month. The Impact of Building Energy Codes is mammoth and represents significant savings to home and business owners. What that amount is I have no idea, but to our readers – Tom and I are on it and more to follow next month!
Thanks readers for stopping in and reading “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” You’re in good company and we love sharing educational, fun and important information with you. Until next month. QCBN
Tom Reilly, architect, contractor, Renovations 928-445-8506 renovationsaz.com
Sandy Griffis, executive director, Yavapai County Contractors Association. 928-778-0040. ycca@cableone.net