Fenestration

Posted on August 9, 2023April 7, 2025 by Cosimina

Issue As the primary barriers between indoor and out, the openings of the building envelope, high performance windows, doors, and skylights (fenestration) are essential to an energy efficient building. Choosing such products involves several considerations, including appearance, energy performance, human factor issues, technical performance, and cost. Other factors like building orientation, natural and artificial shading, and climate will influence the properties selected for windows, doors,...

Controls

Posted on July 5, 2023January 20, 2024 by Cosimina

Overview The IECC requires that homes have a programmable thermostat for forced-air (HVAC) systems. It also requires that heat pumps not provide supplemental heat when the heat pump is capable of meeting demand. Automatic snowmelt control requirements ensure snowmelt systems do not run when the outside surface temperature is 50°F or higher and there is no precipitation. Homeowners should know the advantages of programmable controls and be knowledgeable about their use. Requirements The ...

Residential Ventilation

Posted on June 8, 2023June 29, 2026 by Cosimina

Issue Heating and cooling account for between 40-60% of energy used in U.S. residential buildings. This represents a large opportunity to save energy throughout U.S. buildings. One of the leading cause of energy waste from heating and cooling in both commercial and residential buildings is inadequate insulation. The air within homes can become stale from moisture, odors, and pollutants that penetrate the building or are generated internally by human activity and off-gassing from building m...

Ducts

Posted on June 4, 2023April 7, 2025 by Cosimina

Issue Duct leakage is a significant issue for forced-air heating or air-conditioning systems. When ducts are run outside of conditioned space, leakage may decrease heating and cooling efficiencies by up to 40%. Over time, this will add up to a great deal of lost energy and money. Overview The distribution of conditioned air (heated or cooled) from HVAC systems to a home is an integral part of many mechanical ventilation systems. It is essential for ducts to maintain a constant temperatu...

Commercial Ducts

Posted on January 5, 2023March 18, 2024 by Cosimina

Issue Duct leakage is a significant issue for forced-air heating or air-conditioning systems. When ducts are run outside of conditioned space, leakage may decrease heating and cooling efficiencies by up to 40%. Over time, this will add up to a great deal of lost energy and money. Click here to view DOE’s guide to duct insulation and sealing requirements in commercial buildings. Overview The distribution system is an integral part of many mechanical ventilation systems. It can have a ...

Northern Nevada Welcomes a New Compliance Path

Posted on September 28, 2016October 10, 2023 by Kamaria Greenfield

Several municipalities and counties in Northern Nevada recently joined states around the nation by adopting the 2015 IECC Energy Rating Index (ERI) compliance option. The state’s current residential energy code – the 2012 IECC – is still in effect, but has been amended in these locations to include an ERI compliance path and a 2009 IECC thermal envelope backstop. This path requires an ERI score of 63 or below, about 12% less efficient than the score of 51 required for compliance with the full 20...

The Energy Rating Index: What does the future hold?

Posted on March 17, 2016April 7, 2025 by Kamaria Greenfield

By Ryan Meres, IMT A little over a year ago, I wrote a blog about the Energy Rating Index (ERI), the new compliance path included in the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). With the 2018 version of the IECC being developed this year, it seems appropriate to look at the success of the ERI and what the future may hold. A Quick Refresher The voluntary ERI path for the 2015 IECC gives builders the option of complying with the code by meeting a target Energy Rating Index score....

Do Energy Codes Work?

Posted on December 15, 2015April 7, 2025 by Kamaria Greenfield

Preliminary results from the largest residential energy code field study ever conducted in the U.S. show they do. By Ryan Meres, IMT Last year, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that eight states would be part of a three-year Residential Energy Code Field Study. Once completed, the study will provide an unprecedented opportunity to develop new strategies for education, training, and outreach for improving the energy efficiency of single-family homes, as well as a measurement of...

What to expect in the 2015 IECC Commercial Provisions, Part II

Posted on December 14, 2015October 10, 2023 by Kamaria Greenfield

By Ryan Meres, IMT The first installment of this article was published in the May 2015 edition of The Decoder. Part I discussed the improved provisions for commissioning, HVAC equipment, water heating, and lighting. In this article, we’ll cover some important changes to: Additional efficiency package options Rooms with fuel burning appliances Walk-in coolers and freezers Refrigerated display cases Equipment buildings More Efficiency Package Options The 2015 IECC now h...

Homebuyer Demand for Energy Codes

Posted on December 4, 2015 by Kamaria Greenfield

Consumer demand for energy efficiency is a topic energy code advocates need to understand. We want to know the answers to questions like “do consumers believe in conserving energy through increasing energy efficiency in their homes?” and “how much are consumers willing to pay for home improvements for efficiency?” so that we can make a stronger case for our support for energy efficient building codes. Recently, BCAP looked at four major consumer surveys and summarized th...