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Trends in Energy Codes
By Art Seavey, RCAC rural development specialist
In 1992, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) jointly introduced a voluntary labeling program for products aimed at promoting energy efficiency. Today, these governmental bodies have moved well beyond appliances and into whole home rating systems. With increased awareness of global climate changes, and increasing emphasis on alternative energy generation, more states are adopting stricter energy codes to meet established goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Many states have adopted a policy that will require all new buildings to be net zero, that is, they will produce as much energy as they consume by a certain year in the not-so-distant future.
"Regardless of the desire to receive an Energy Star rating, affordable housing builders should create homes that are affordable to maintain."
EPA has determined there is a need to make the program stronger as standard construction practices and energy codes nationally move closer to the previous version of Energy Star. The new code, that took effect January 11, has new procedures and includes envelope testing for all homes. This means a blower-door test performed by a certified home energy rater.
Each state has its own State Certification Organization (SCO), which helps the state adopt the most meaningful building codes for that particular state. The SCO for Washington is the Washington State Extension Energy program; in Oregon, it is the Oregon Department of Energy; in Montana, it is the National Center for Appropriate Technology; while in Idaho, it is the Energy Inspectors (currently out to bid). Find your state’s SCO to learn the future for energy codes in your state.
In Washington, Idaho and Montana, there are updated Builder Option Packages (BOPs) that must be followed for any homes permitted after Dec. 31, 2010. In Oregon, there are no specification changes for 2011.BOPs represent a set of construction specifications for a specific fuel type that will enable a home’s energy performance to qualify for the Energy Star label. This, then, is a prescriptive path for builders to follow in order to receive the Energy Star rating, but the building still needs to be performance-tested. Nationally, there are pre-drywall and final inspection checklists for: Thermal Enclosure System; HVAC System Quality Installation; and Water Management; that must be completed for 2011. Failure to comply will not prevent homes from qualifying for an Energy Star rating, until January 2012.
The trend is to create tighter building envelopes with air changes per hour required to be less than previous codes. For example, in the Northwest, where seven air changes per hour was an acceptable infiltration rate in 2010, the 2011 requirement is for only four air changes (for BOP1). The lower the air changes, the less heat leakage that occurs. Lower window U-values also are now expected. In 2010, a U-value of .35 was acceptable, while in 2011, a U-value of .30 is required. The lower the U-value (which pertains to heat transference), the less heat passes through the window. Efficiencies of HVAC equipment have risen to 90 percent energy efficiency to produce heat or cooling in 2010 and will go to 92 percent in 2011.
Regardless of the desire to receive an Energy Star rating, affordable housing builders should create homes that are affordable to maintain. A proactive approach now, in coordination with your SCO, local inspectors or local certified home energy raters will benefit clients greatly in the future.
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