Section 264. Chapter 13 Energy efficiency

Add Section 1301.1.1.1 to the IBC to read:

1301.1.1.1 Changes to the IECC. The following changes shall be made to the IECC:

1. Add Exception 3 to Section C402.4.5.2 to read:

3. Any grease duct serving a Type I hood installed in accordance with IMC Section 506.3 shall not be required to have a motorized or gravity damper.

2. Change Section C402.4.8 to read:

C402.4.8 Recessed lighting. Recessed luminaires installed in the building thermal envelope shall be sealed to limit air leakage between conditioned and unconditioned spaces. All recessed luminaires shall be IC-rated and labeled as having an air leakage rate or not more 2.0 cfm (0.944 L/s) when tested in accordance with ASTM E 283 at a 1.57 psf (75 Pa) pressure differential. All recessed luminaires installed in the thermal envelope shall be sealed with a gasket or caulk between the housing and interior wall or ceiling covering.

3. Add Exception 4 to Section C403.2.4.4 to read:

4. Any grease duct serving a Type I hood installed in accordance with IMC Section 506.3 shall not be required to have a motorized or gravity damper.

4. Change the exception to Section C405.1 to read:

Exception: Dwelling units within commercial buildings shall not be required to comply with Sections C405.2 through C405.5, provided that not less than 75% of the permanently installed luminaires, other than low-voltage lighting, shall be fitted for, and contain only, high-efficacy lamps.

5. Change Section C405.6 to read:

C405.6 Exterior lighting (Mandatory). All exterior lighting, other than low-voltage landscape lighting, shall comply with Sections C405.6.1 and C405.6.2.

Exception: Where approved because of historical, safety, signage, or emergency considerations.

6. Delete Section R401.3.

7. Change the ceiling R-value and wood frame wall R-value categories for climate zone "4 except Marine" in Table R402.1.1 to read:

	Ceiling R-Value	Wood Frame Wall R-Value
	38	15 or 13 + 1h

8. Change the ceiling U-factor and frame wall U-factor categories for climate zone "4 except Marine" in Table R402.1.3 to read:

	Ceiling U-Factor	Frame Wall U-Factor
	0.030	0.079

9. Change Sections R402.2.1 and R402.2.4 to read:

R402.2.1 Ceilings with attic spaces. When Section R402.1.1 would require R-38 in the ceiling, installing R-30 over 100% of the ceiling area shall be deemed to satisfy the requirement for R-38 wherever the full height of uncompressed R-30 insulation extends over the wall top plate at the eaves. Similarly, when Section R402.1.1 would require R-49 in the ceiling, installing R-38 over 100% of the ceiling area shall be deemed to satisfy the requirement for R-49 wherever the full height of uncompressed R-38 insulation extends over the wall top plate at the eaves. This reduction shall not apply to the U-factor alternative approach in Section R402.1.3 and the total UA alternative in Section R402.1.4.

R402.2.4 Access hatches and doors. Access doors from conditioned spaces to unconditioned spaces (e.g., attics and crawl spaces) shall be weatherstripped and insulated in accordance with the following values:

1. Hinged vertical doors shall have a minimum overall R-5 insulation value;

2. Hatches and scuttle hole covers shall be insulated to a level equivalent to the insulation on the surrounding surfaces; and

3. Pull down stairs shall have a minimum of 75% of the panel area having R-5 rigid insulation.

Access shall be provided to all equipment that prevents damaging or compressing the insulation. A wood framed or equivalent baffle or retainer is required to be provided when loose fill insulation is installed, the purpose of which is to prevent the loose fill insulation from spilling into the living space when the attic access is opened and to provide a permanent means of maintaining the installed R-value of the loose fill insulation.

10. Delete Section R402.3.6 and change Sections R402.4 and R402.4.1.1 to read:

R402.4 Air leakage. The building thermal envelope shall be constructed to limit air leakage in accordance with the requirements of Sections R402.4.1 through R402.4.4.

R402.4.1.1 Installation (Mandatory). The components of the building thermal envelope as listed in Table R402.4.1.1 shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and the criteria listed in Table R402.4.1.1, as applicable to the method of construction. Where required by the code official, an approved third party shall inspect all components and verify compliance.

11. Change the title of the "Criteria" category of Table R402.4.1.1; change the "Walls," "Shower/tub on exterior wall" and "Fireplace" categories of Table R402.4.1.1, and add footnotes "b" and "c" to Table R402.4.1.1 to read:

	Component	Criteriaa,b
	Walls	Cavities within corners and headers shall be insulated by completely filling the cavity with a material having a minimum thermal resistance of R-3 per inch. The junction of the foundation and sill plate shall be sealed. The junction of the top plate and top of exterior walls shall be sealed. Exterior thermal envelope insulation for framed walls shall be installed in substantial contact and continuous alignment with the air barrier. Knee walls shall be sealed.
	Shower or tub on exterior wallc	Exterior walls adjacent to showers and tubs shall be insulated and an air barrier installed on the interior side of the exterior wall, adjacent to the shower or tub.
	Fireplace	An air barrier shall be installed on fireplace walls. Fireplaces shall have gasketed doors or tight-fitting flue dampers.
	b. Structural integrity of headers shall be in accordance with the applicable building code. c. Air barriers used behind showers and tubs on exterior walls shall be of a permeable material that does not cause the entrapment of moisture in the stud cavity.

12. Change Section R402.4.1.2 and add Sections R402.4.1.2.1, R402.4.1.2.2, and R402.4.1.3 to read:

R402.4.1.2 Air sealing. Building envelope air tightness shall be demonstrated to comply with either Section R402.4.1.2.1 or R402.4.1.2.2.

R402.4.1.2.1 Testing option. The building or dwelling unit shall be tested for air leakage. Testing shall be conducted with a blower door at a pressure of 0.2 inches w.g. (50 Pascals). Where required by the building official, testing shall be conducted by an approved third party. A written report of the results of the test shall be signed by the party conducting the test and provided to the building official. Testing shall be performed at any time after creation of all penetrations of the building thermal envelope.

During testing:

1. Exterior windows and doors and fireplace and stove doors shall be closed, but not sealed beyond the intended weatherstripping or other infiltration control measures;

2. Dampers, including exhaust, intake, makeup air, backdraft, and flue dampers, shall be closed, but not sealed beyond intended infiltration control measures;

3. Interior doors, if installed at the time of the test, shall be open;

4. Exterior doors for continuous ventilation systems and heat recovery ventilators shall be closed and sealed;

5. Heating and cooling systems, if installed at the time of the test, shall be turned off; and

6. Supply and return registers, if installed at the time of the test, shall be fully open.

R402.4.1.2.2 Visual inspection option. Building envelope tightness shall be considered acceptable when the items listed in Table R402.4.1.1, applicable to the method of construction, are field verified. Where required by the building official, an approved party, independent from the installer, shall inspect the air barrier. When this option is chosen, the dwelling unit shall be ventilated by mechanical means in accordance with Section 403 of the IMC.

R402.4.1.3 Leakage rate (Prescriptive). The building or dwelling unit shall have an air leakage rate not exceeding 5 changes per hour as verified in accordance with Section R402.4.1.2.

13. Change Section R403.1.1 to read:

R403.1.1 Programmable thermostat. The thermostat controlling the primary heating or cooling system of the dwelling unit shall be capable of controlling the heating and cooling system on a daily schedule to maintain different temperature set points at different times of the day. This thermostat shall include the capability to set back or temporarily operate the system to maintain zone temperatures down to 55°F (13°C) or up to 85°F (29°C). The thermostat shall initially be programmed with a heating temperature set point no higher than 70°F (21°C) and a cooling temperature set point no lower than 78°F (26°C).

14. Change Section R403.2.2 to read:

R403.2.2 Sealing (Mandatory). Ducts, air handlers, and filter boxes shall be sealed. Joints and seams shall comply with either the IMC or the IRC, as applicable. Verification of compliance with this section shall be in accordance with either Section R403.2.2.1 or Section R403.2.2.2.

Exceptions:

1. Air-impermeable spray foam products shall be permitted to be applied without additional joint seals.

2. Where a duct connection is made that is partially inaccessible, three screws or rivets shall be equally spaced on the exposed portion of the joint so as to prevent a hinge effect.

3. Continuously welded and locking-type longitudinal joints and seams in ducts operating at static pressures less than 2 inches of water column (500 Pa) pressure classification shall not require additional closure systems.

15. Change Section R403.2.2.1 to read:

R403.2.2.1 Testing option. Duct tightness shall be verified by either of the following:

1. Post-construction test: Total leakage shall be less than or equal to 6 cfm (169.9 L/min) per 100 square feet (9.29 m²) of conditioned floor area when tested at a pressure differential of 0.1 inch w.g. (25 Pa) across the entire system, including the manufacturer's air handler enclosure. All register boots shall be taped or otherwise sealed during the test.

2. Rough-in test: Total leakage shall be less than or equal to 5 cfm (141.5 L/min) per 100 square feet (9.29 m²) of conditioned floor area when tested at a pressure differential of 0.1 inch w.g. (25 Pa) across the system, including the manufacturer's air handler enclosure. All register boots shall be taped or otherwise sealed during the test. If the air handler is not installed at the time of the test, total leakage shall be less than or equal to 5 cfm (141.5 L/min) per 100 square feet (9.29 m²) of conditioned floor area.

Exception: The total leakage test is not required for ducts and air handlers located entirely within the building thermal envelope.

When this option is chosen, testing shall be performed by approved qualified individuals, testing agencies or contractors. Testing and results shall be as prescribed in Section R403.2.2 and approved recognized industry standards.

16. Add Section R403.2.2.2 to read:

R403.2.2.2 Visual inspection option. In addition to the inspection of ducts otherwise required by this code, when the air handler and all ducts are not within conditioned space and this option is chosen to verify duct tightness, duct tightness shall be considered acceptable when the requirements of Section R403.2.2 are field verified.

17. Add Section R403.2.2.3 to read:

R403.2.2.3 Sealed air handler. Air handlers shall have a manufacturer's designation for an air leakage of no more than 2.0% of the design air flow rate when tested in accordance with ASHRAE 193.

18. Change Section R403.4.2 to read:

R403.4.2 Hot water pipe insulation (Prescriptive). Insulation for hot water pipe with a minimum thermal resistance (R-value) of R-3 shall be applied to the following:

1. Piping larger than 3/4 inch nominal diameter.

2. Piping serving more than one dwelling unit.

3. Piping located outside the conditioned space.

4. Piping from the water heater to a distribution manifold.

5. Piping located under a floor slab.

6. Buried piping.

7. Supply and return piping in recirculation systems other than demand recirculation systems.

19. Delete Table R403.4.2.

20. Change Section R403.6 to read:

R403.6 Equipment and appliance sizing. Heating and cooling equipment and appliances shall be sized in accordance with ACCA Manual S or other approved sizing methodologies based on building loads calculated in accordance with ACCA Manual J or other approved heating and cooling calculation methodologies.

Exception: Heating and cooling equipment and appliance sizing shall not be limited to the capacities determined in accordance with Manual S or other approved sizing methodologies where any of the following conditions apply:

1. The specified equipment or appliance utilizes multi-stage technology or variable refrigerant flow technology and the loads calculated in accordance with the approved heating and cooling methodology fall within the range of the manufacturer's published capacities for that equipment or appliance.

2. The specified equipment or appliance manufacturer's published capacities cannot satisfy both the total and sensible heat gains calculated in accordance with the approved heating and cooling methodology and the next larger standard size unit is specified.

3. The specified equipment or appliance is the lowest capacity unit available from the specified manufacturer.

21. Change Section R404.1 to read:

R404.1 Lighting equipment (Mandatory). A minimum of 50% of the lamps in permanently installed luminaires shall be high-efficacy lamps or a minimum of 50% of the permanently installed luminaires shall contain only high-efficacy lamps.

Exception: Low-voltage lighting shall not be required to utilize high-efficiency lamps.

22. Change the "Glazing" and "Air exchange rate" categories of Table R405.5.2(1) to read:

	Building Component	Standard Reference Design	Proposed Design
	Glazinga	Total areab is 15% of the conditioned floor area.	As proposed
	Glazinga	Orientation: equally distributed to four cardinal compass orientations (North, East, South & West).	As proposed
	Glazinga	U-factor: from Table R402.1.3	As proposed
	Glazinga	SHGC: From Table R402.1.1 except that for climates with no requirement (NR) SHGC = 0.40 shall be used.	As proposed
	Glazinga	Interior shade fraction: 0.92-(0.21 x SHGC for the standard reference design)	0.92-(0.21 x SHGC as proposed)
	Glazinga	External shading: none.	As proposed
	Air exchange rate	Air leakage rate of 5 air changes per hour at a pressure of 0.2 inches w.g (50 Pa). The mechanical ventilation rate shall be in addition to the air leakage rate and the same as in the proposed design, but no greater than 0.01 × CFA + 7.5 × (Nbr + 1) where: CFA = conditioned floor area Nbr = number of bedrooms Energy recovery shall not be assumed for mechanical ventilation.	For residences that are not tested, the same air leakage rate as the standard reference design. For tested residences, the measured air exchange ratec. The mechanical ventilation rated shall be in addition to the air leakage rate and shall be as proposed.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 27, Issue 02, eff. March 1, 2011; Change in Effective Date, 27:5 VA.R. 534 November 8, 2010; amended, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 16, eff. July 14, 2014.

Statutory Authority

§ 36-98 of the Code of Virginia.