Energy Code Guide for Residential Projects in Utah

2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)

Effective beginning January 1, 2021 – Includes Amendments

R103.2 Construction Documents

U-factors, R-value and other pertinent data must be shown and identical on plans, energy compliance reports, and HVAC design documents. Construction documents include all documentation required to be submitted in order to issue a building permit.

R202 Definitions

CONTINUOUS AIR BARRIER. A combination of materials and assemblies that resist or prevent the passage of air through the building thermal envelope.

CONTINUOUS INSULATION (ci). Insulating material that is continuous across all structural members penetrated only with fasteners and service openings. – Attic insulation in trusses is cavity, not ci.

CAVITY INSULATION. Insulation installed between wood studs, metal framing, channels, or z-clips.

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING. One and two family dwellings, townhouses, and Group R-2, R-3 and R-4 buildings, 3 stories or less in height above grade plane.

R301.1 Utah Climate Zones by County

R401.3 Certificate

Permanent certificate listing performance values, factors, and ratings for all building thermal envelope components, shall be posted in approved location.

Prescriptive Table R402.1.2

*See footnotes in 2015 IECC

R402.2.4 Access Hatches and Doors

• Must be weather stripped.
• Attic hatch must have insulation of required R-value attached to the panel.
• Insulation dam required around access opening.
• Vertical access doors must meet fenestration requirements – Table R402.1.2.

R402.4 Air Leakage

The components of the Building Thermal Envelope as listed in Table R402.1.1 shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

R402.4.1 Building Thermal Envelope

Comply with all items in Table 402.4.1.1 OR Blower Door Test per R402.4.1.2.

1st Option

R402.4.1.1 Air Barrier & Insulation Installation and Inspection per Table R402.4.1.1.

Table R402.4.1.1 Summary

• Insulation and air barriers installed in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
• Continuous air barrier installed at the building thermal envelope.
• All gaps and voids sealed between conditioned and un-conditioned spaces.
• Air-permeable insulation (fiberglass, rock-wool, cellulose) is not used for air sealing.
• Closed-cell foam is the only insulation that also serves as an air barrier.
• Dropped ceilings/soffits, shafts and chases shall be capped with an air barrier lid and sealed-(attic insulation does not drop down into soffits).
• Walls shall be framed to allow insulation in corners and in headers.
• Wall insulation shall be enclosed on 6 sides. Includes an air barrier, backside of knee-walls.
• Wall batt insulation shall be cut neatly to fit wall cavities and around all pipes, wiring and boxes in cavity (recommend blown insulation).
• Rim joist insulation shall include a sealed air barrier on the inside face of insulation, or closed cell spray foam.
• Recessed can lights, boxes and HVAC boots penetrating the thermal envelope shall be sealed.
• Exterior walls adjacent to fireplaces, tubs, showers shall include an inside surface air barrier.
• Air sealing shall be provided between the garage and conditioned spaces.
• Floor insulation in contact with underside of floor or topside of sheathing/lid below.
• Air barrier underside of cantilevers.

2nd Option

R402.4.1.2 Blower Door Testing and Third-party Verification

• ≤ 3.5 ACH50 single family dwellings
• ≤ 5.0 ACH50 townhouses, multifamily
• Testing by BPI or RESNET certified parties or licensed contractors with approved training.

IRC- R806.5 Unvented Attic and Unvented Enclosed Rafter Assemblies (NOT in the IECC)

Air-impermeable insulation, closed cell spray foam or rigid foam board, must be installed on the cold side of the roof assembly for condensation control- Table R806.5.

R402.4.2 Fireplaces

Tight-fitting dampers and outdoor combustion air (wood-burning only); listed and labeled doors, UL 127 or UL 907.

R402.4.4 Rooms Containing Fuel Burning Appliances

Where open combustion air ducts serve open combustion, fuel burning appliances:

• The open duct and appliance shall be enclosed in a sealed and insulated room, isolated from inside the thermal envelope.
• Combustion air duct passing through conditioned space shall be insulated to a minimum R-8.
• Exceptions: Direct vent appliance, Fireplaces and stoves installed per code.

R402.4.5 Recessed Lighting

• IC-rated and labeled, air leakage rate 2 cfm max.
• Gasketed or caulked at the ceiling.

R402.5 Maximum Fenestration U-factor and SHGC

Area-weighted average maximum U-factor for total UA – alternative or simulated performance approach:

• ≤ 0.48 for CZ 5B
• ≤ 0.40 for CZ 6B

Area-weighted average maximum SHGC for total UA – alternative or simulated performance approach:

• ≤ 0.50 for CZ 3B

R403.3.1 Duct Insulation

Outside thermal envelope, both return and supply.

• Ducts in attic- R-8
• Ducts in other areas- R-6

R403.3.2 Duct Sealing and Testing

Ducts, air handlers and filter boxes sealed per IRC/IMC AND tested if air handler is outside the thermal envelope, or at least 20% of duct is outside thermal envelope.

• Testing by BPI or RESNET certified parties or licensed contractors, approved training.

R403.3.4 Duct Leakage

Rough-in or post-construction testing

• ≤ 6 cfm/100 sf, with or without air handler

R403.3.5 Building Cavities

Shall not be used as ducts or plenums

R403.4 Mechanical System Piping Insulation

Carrying fluids > 105°F or < 55°F, insulate to R-3 min.

R403.5 Circulating and Demand Hot Water Systems

• Automatic controls- time or demand sensing
• Demand recirculation systems- maximum return temperature- 104°F.

R403.5.3 Hot Water Pipe Insulation

R-3 (some exceptions)

R403.6 Mechanical Ventilation

Per IRC 303.4 & M1507 with automatic or gravity dampers on outdoor air intake and/or exhaust. If ≤ 3 ACH 50, must be mech. ventilated.

R403.6.1 Whole-house ventilation systems must be high efficacy

R403.7 Equipment Sizing

Per ACCA Manual S, based on loads calculated per ACCA Manual J. Ducts per ACCA Manual D.

R403.9 Snowmelt Controls

Mandatory controls- Auto shutoff: no moisture, pavement T > 50°F and air T > 40°F.

R403.10 Pools and In-Ground Spas

Readily accessible shutoff switches for heaters (R403.10.2) and timers for pumps and heaters (R403.10.3), AND vapor-retardant covers for all pools (R403.10.4) and pool cover if heated (see exceptions).

R404.1 Lighting

A minimum of 75% of permanently installed fixtures must have high-efficacy lamps.

• Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), tubes T8 or smaller, or LED (Low Voltage exempt)

R405 Simulated Performance Alternative

Third Party Computer modeling, showing proposed home is more efficient than standard reference design home.

R406 Energy Rating Index (ERI) Compliance Alternative

Third Party HERS rater uses modeling to generate an ERI or HERS score, equal to or lower than the required score for the applicable Climate Zone.

• Climate Zone 3 – 65
• Climate Zone 5 – 69
• Climate Zone 6 – 68

Produced and updated by Brent Ursenbach, West Coast Code Consultants, Inc. supported by NEXANT, with funding from the Utah Governor’s Office of Energy Development, Dominion Energy and Rocky Mountain Power.