On January 1, 2010 California will introduce the latest version of the Title-24 Building Efficiency Standards.
While it was originally scheduled to take effect in August 2009, delays in the compliance software pushed back enforcement of the new code until January 1, 2010.
The adoption of ASHRAE 62.2-2007 means that for the first time in California all low-rise residential buildings must provide whole house mechanical ventilation to address poor indoor air quality. This is caused by certain unanticipated side effects of improvements in the energy code.
Details
Friday, December 18, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Green Building Promises Strong Growth
According to a report by McGraw-Hill, domestic green building will triple by 2013. This is expected to trigger $140 billion in construction spending. McGraw-Hill said growing public awareness, government regulations, and bottom-line advantages will help fuel this growth.
A substantial portion of this green building will be retrofits and renovations since many buildings are aging and inefficient.
Green building now comprises 5 percent to 9 percent of the market, but it could easily reach 30 percent ($15 billion in annual spending) within the next five years.
Details
A substantial portion of this green building will be retrofits and renovations since many buildings are aging and inefficient.
Green building now comprises 5 percent to 9 percent of the market, but it could easily reach 30 percent ($15 billion in annual spending) within the next five years.
Details
Obama Calls for Home Improvements to Reduce Energy Consumption
On Tuesday, December 15, President Barack Obama spoke about the need for new federal incentives to make millions of homes more energy-efficient.
Obama said this would create jobs, save money for homeowners, and reduce pollution. Obama wants Congress to provide temporary incentives that encourage consumers to purchase items such as insulation, new windows and doors, and caulk to plug leaks.
Obama added that homes and offices are responsible for 40 percent of U.S. energy consumption and homes built in the first half of the last century may use 50 percent more energy than modern homes.
Details
Obama said this would create jobs, save money for homeowners, and reduce pollution. Obama wants Congress to provide temporary incentives that encourage consumers to purchase items such as insulation, new windows and doors, and caulk to plug leaks.
Obama added that homes and offices are responsible for 40 percent of U.S. energy consumption and homes built in the first half of the last century may use 50 percent more energy than modern homes.
Details
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
NFRC Prepares to Launch CMA
The National Fenestration Rating Council's (NFRC) Component Modeling Approach (CMA) Product Certification Program is slated to be fully implemented on January 1, 2010.
CMA will establish whole-product energy performance ratings for nonresidential projects. NFRC plans to introduce CMA in California because it is one of the requirements for the state's updated Code of Regulations (Title 24), and across the country. CMA has undergone an extensive pilot program for the past several months. This gave NFRC time to train approved calculation entities (ACEs), manufacturer representatives who generate a product’s CMA label certificate, and IA’s that will approve components before they are available for use in a label certificate. It also enabled NFRC to accredit simulation labs.
NFRC also used the pilot program to test the component and to complete aspects of its software tool.
Details
CMA will establish whole-product energy performance ratings for nonresidential projects. NFRC plans to introduce CMA in California because it is one of the requirements for the state's updated Code of Regulations (Title 24), and across the country. CMA has undergone an extensive pilot program for the past several months. This gave NFRC time to train approved calculation entities (ACEs), manufacturer representatives who generate a product’s CMA label certificate, and IA’s that will approve components before they are available for use in a label certificate. It also enabled NFRC to accredit simulation labs.
NFRC also used the pilot program to test the component and to complete aspects of its software tool.
Details
Monday, December 14, 2009
NFRC Label Guarantees Accuracy
If you want to make your home more energy efficient, installing replacement windows is a good place to start.
Be sure to choose windows with the highest energy-efficiency rating. You can get glazed or unglazed windows. You can also choose between purchase windows with argon and krypton gas for more insulation.
Whichever product you choose, be sure it has a label from the National Fenestration Ratings Council (NFRC). This is your guarantee that the information on the window is accurate.
Details
Be sure to choose windows with the highest energy-efficiency rating. You can get glazed or unglazed windows. You can also choose between purchase windows with argon and krypton gas for more insulation.
Whichever product you choose, be sure it has a label from the National Fenestration Ratings Council (NFRC). This is your guarantee that the information on the window is accurate.
Details
Federal Tax Credit Provides Incentive for Replacing Fenestration Products
The energy bill extends tax credits for windows, doors, and skylights first established in the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
As of June 1, certain ENERGY STAR labeled windows, doors, and skylights qualify for a 30 percent tax credit, up to $1,500. ENERGY STAR’s Website explains that this program can help to reduce energy bills while improving comfort and protecting the environment. This federal tax credit is available through the end of 2010.
There are, however, some stipulations. All fenestration products must have a U-factor and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) rating of 0.30 or below. These ratings need to be certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC). NFRC is the only federally recognized organization for determining the energy performance of windows, doors and skylights.
Details
As of June 1, certain ENERGY STAR labeled windows, doors, and skylights qualify for a 30 percent tax credit, up to $1,500. ENERGY STAR’s Website explains that this program can help to reduce energy bills while improving comfort and protecting the environment. This federal tax credit is available through the end of 2010.
There are, however, some stipulations. All fenestration products must have a U-factor and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) rating of 0.30 or below. These ratings need to be certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC). NFRC is the only federally recognized organization for determining the energy performance of windows, doors and skylights.
Details
Friday, December 11, 2009
Codes Update Reported by BCAP
Below are some of the codes updates being reported by the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP)
Georgia
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) State Codes Advisory Committee (SCAC) 2009 IECC Task Force meeting minutes from November 16 have been posted, as well as a presentation on the 2009 IECC. The amendments submitted through November 24 are also available. The Task Force met again on December 9.
The task force will review the 2009 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2007 (the Georgia State Minimum Energy Code currently references the 2006 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2004), with a potential adoption expected in the spring of 2010. The task force will consist of stakeholders from state and local governments, utilities, homebuilders and other private industries. Upon approval by the SCAC and the DCA Board, this code will take effect on January 1, 2011.
Georgia
The Georgia Residential Green Building Code Task Force has posted minutes from its September 30, November 3, and December 8 meetings. All proposed amendments to the National Green Building Standard, ICC 700-2008 need to be submitted to the Department of Community Affairs by December 15, 2009.
The Task Force has scheduled future meetings on January 20, February 18, March 16, April 6, and beyond. Check the Task Force's webpage for meeting announcements and details.
New Hampshire
The New Hampshire State Building Code Review Board has scheduled the completion of its work leftover from its November 13 meeting for an all-day meeting on Friday, December 11 to finish the adoption of potential amendments to the new state code to be based on the 2009 IECC (the current state code is based on the 2006 IECC). The effective date for the new code is now expected in April 2010.
Ohio
At its meeting on December 11, the Residential Code Advisory Council (RCAC) approved the creation of three-member Energy Subcommittee to address issues with the 2009 IECC. The RCAC stated an expected timeline for the new subcommittee to review the 2009 IECC and all similar options by the end of 2010. The RCAC would then make a recommendation in January 2011 to the Ohio Board of Building Standards (BBS). If approved by the BBS, the new residential code would take effect in 2012.
The first meeting of the Energy Subcommittee is scheduled to take place immediately after the next meeting of the RCAC on Wednesday, January 13.
Pennsylvania
On December 10, the Pennsylvania Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) approved a regulation adopting the 2009 IECC as the Commonwealth's new energy code for residential and commercial construction. It will be effective January 1, 2010.
As required by the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act of 1999 (and its amendments), the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) is required to update the state’s Uniform Construction Code (UCC) by December 31 of the year of the issuance of the new ICC family of codes (I-codes), including the IECC (the 2009 I-Codes were published in January 2009). The Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council (Council) reviewed the 2009 IECC (the current UCC incorporates the 2006 IECC) this April and informed DLI that no provisions of the 2009 IECC are to be excluded.
DLI’s Regulation 12-89 adopting the 2009 I-Codes was submitted to the IRRC and legislative committees on October 23. The IRRC held a public meeting to consider approval of the regulation on December 10.
Tennessee
Having been charged to develop a new statewide residential energy code earlier this year, the Tennessee Fire Marshal’s Office has issued a rulemaking proposal adopting the 2006 IECC. The proposal would also mandate state buildings to use ASHRAE 90.1-2007 instead of Chapter 13 of the 2006 IBC. A hearing has been scheduled in Nashville for Wednesday, January 6 at 1:00pm CT, before which public comments will be accepted.
Upcoming Events & Comment Deadlines
Fri, Dec 11: New Hampshire – Scheduled meeting of State Building Code Review Board to adopt 2009 IECC
Mon, Dec 14: Montana – Comments on adoption of new energy code (2009 IECC) due to Codes Bureau
Mon, Dec 14: Virginia – Meeting of BHCD Codes and Standards Committee in Richmond, VA
Tues, Dec 15: Georgia – Proposed RGBC amendments to ICC-700 due to DCA
Tues, Dec 15: Georgia – Proposed amendments to 2009 IECC due to DCA SCAC
Wed, Dec 16: Georgia – RGBC Water/EE Work Group meets at DCA in Atlanta, GA
Sat, Dec 26: Washington, DC – 2008 DC Construction Codes become fully effective
Thur, Dec 31: Pennsylvania – 2009 Uniform Construction Code (2009 IECC) scheduled to take effect
Fri, Jan 1: California – 2008 Title 24 Standards effective statewide
Fri, Jan 1: Iowa – 2009 IECC effective statewide (with three-month grace period)
Wed, Jan 6: Tennessee – Comments on 2006 IECC due; meeting of Fire Marshal’s Office in Nashville
Wed, Jan 13: Ohio – RCAC meeting followed by Energy Subcommittee meeting
Mon, Jan 25: Virginia – Comments on 2009 IECC due to VA DCHD
Wed, Jan 27 – Fri, Jan 29: Green and Blue Conference in Auburn, AL
Mon, Feb 22 – Wed, Feb 24: RESNET 2010 Building Performance Conference in Raleigh, NC
Thur, Apr 1: New Hampshire – 2009 IECC scheduled to take effect
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