Welcome to the Utah Energy Code Blog

PUT ON YOUR ENERGY GLASSES

February 12, 2025

Modern construction typically includes many different trades who each contribute unique skills toward the construction of new buildings. To start, one team will form and pour the foundation. Once those forms have been stripped, a second team will arrive to begin framing…

Energy Code Compliance

January 14, 2025

This blog post further explores the importance of energy code compliance. A continuation of our last post here if you missed it, we dive into the key components involved and the steps necessary to achieve compliance. Energy codes can be complex and challenging to interpret, requiring specialized knowledge and expertise. For this reason, the State of Utah provides energy code training to increases the industry’s understanding of the energy code…

Utah Energy Education

October 31, 2024

Energy codes provide multiple benefits, including reduced costs for property owners in the form of lower energy bills, increased temperature control for optimal comfort and helping the state conserve local resources. Energy codes also act as a vital benchmark for ensuring that new and existing buildings consume energy efficiently, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions…

2021 IECC & IRC: DUCT SEALING

July 17, 2024

True or False: Duct sealing is not important when the duct is inside the thermal envelope, as there is no leakage to outside.

Hopefully your response is False. Over the past several years, Mitch Richardson with Building Science West have tested duct systems in at least six problem homes where the duct system leakage rate was excessive to the point that they could not attain the 25-pascal test pressure…

FORCED AIR HEATING & COOLING SYSTEMS – ENERGY EFFICIENT DUCT INSTALLATION PRACTICES

June 14, 2024

Previous discussions have reviewed ACCA/ANSI Manual D – Residential Duct Systems, primarily focusing on pressure drops across devices, duct sizing, and fitting design. This discussion will concentrate on installation practices as identified in the SMACNA – HVAC Duct Construction Standard…

IS A RETURN AIR INLET REQUIRED IN EVERY BEDROOM?

June 14, 2024

A Building Inspector recently called asking for clarification on the requirement for return air inlets in bedrooms. The HVAC contractor insists a 1” to 1-1/2” space under the door will provide a path back to return air inlets in virtually every residential application…