To paraphrase Scarlett O’Hara, “Tomorrow – Wednesday – was another day.”
After an IRC Energy Development Committee defeated nearly every energy efficiency proposal on Monday and Tuesday, the IECC Development Committee began its deliberations with a bang – adopting EECC’s proposal to makes life-cycle energy savings the stated intent of the IECC. While largely symbolic, they followed that action with significant the adoption of DOE’s comprehensive package – which will boost the 2006 IECC by about 25% and adding other EECC energy savings proposals that combined are approaching the 30% improvement goal.
Most notable are gains to envelope . . . the DOE package included many of the insulation provisions from "The 30% Solution" that weren't in the 2009 IECC --t hen the committee adopted EECC proposals on walls and foundations that take those gains even farther.
EECC’s Proposals and Strategy
SIDEBAR: The “30% Solutions 2012” has 32 individual proposals, 13 of which were include in our comprehensive “30Plus” package. “30Plus” alone would boost the 2012 IECC by 30.3-37% over the 2006 IECC; Adoption of all 32 proposals would result in an efficiency gain over 40%.
STRATEGY SIDEBAR: Because DOE’s comprehensive package, EC-13:
- Would achieve a 25-30% boost in energy efficiency over 2006,
- Was structured like “30Plus,” with a single prescriptive path, making it a perfect base to add any or all of our 32 individual proposals, and
- Was scheduled to be heard just before “30Plus,” EECC determined we couldn’t risk losing this potentially huge boost in energy efficiency,
EECC witnesses testified that, while we prefer the greater energy savings in “30Plus,” we also support EC-13 and urge the committee to adopt both.
Our witness line ups and letters of support at both IRC Energy and IECC were superlative, thanks in no small part to our outreach efforts, led (alphabetically) by David Fink (Global Green USA, Cliff Majersik (Institute for Market Transformation), Harry Misuriello (ACEEE), Rob Sargent (Environment America), Cammy Watkins (Sierra Club) and Matt Watson (EDF). Notable were:
- US Conference of Mayors Chair Greg Nickels (Seattle) Letter Supporting “30Plus”
- New Mexico Governor Richardson’s Letter Supporting “30Plus”
- Builder testimony for “30Plus”: Ethan Landis, Washington, DC homebuilder; Carlton Brown, New York City affordable multi-housing developer, Santa Fe Area Homebuilders support letter.
- Support from Low Income and Affordable Housing Advocates
MAJOR RESULTS
Before the IRC Energy Committee – Worth Repeating from October 26
RE-4: Four proposals were before IRC Energy to essentially eliminate the IRC Energy Chapter . . . All four were defeated by the IRC Energy Development Committee, but after we lost the fourth proposal, we worked with a Colorado code official to offer an “Assembly Action” to overturn the committee. This vote requires a two-thirds majority, but we got 73%. If the Assembly Action is upheld at the Final Action Hearing in Charlotte, NC next October, the IECC will replace the IRC Energy Chapter.
Before the IECC Development Committee – October 28-30
EC-13: US Department of Energy’s comprehensive package. This proposal is very similar to EECC’s “30Plus” and contains many of the seven elements of “The 30% Solution” that were not included in the 2009 IECC. The ICF International analysis estimates that this package will achieve 25%-30%, making it a strong base from which the Development Committee could add individual EECC proposals.
Plus 6 individual elements from “30Plus” – each adding to EC-13’s 25% improvement over the 2006 IECC.
ADM 24: Makes Life-Cycle Energy Savings the Stated Intent of the IECC.
EC-34: Better Windows in Warmer Climates. Substantially boosts energy efficiency in climate zones 1-3 by lowering fenestration U-factors to more closely reflect actual windows used in these zones; Makes the code more efficient by closing significant gap in trade-off compliance paths and performance path calculations.
EC-35: Eliminating Window Efficiency Exceptions. Eliminates unnecessary IECC U-factor & IRC U-factor/ SHGC exceptions for impact rated fenestration. The exceptions are too broad and waste an opportunity to make new homes more energy efficient in Climate Zones 1-3.
EC-47: Better Wall Insulation (CZ 3/4). Allows several builder compliance options to improve thermal envelope efficiency through improved wood & mass wall insulation in Climate Zones 3/4. Energy savings are substantial and long lasting; wall insulation is difficult to add after new construction is complete.
EC-48: Better Wall Insulation (CZ 6/7/8). Allows several builder compliance options to improve thermal envelope efficiency through improved wood & mass wall insulation in Climate Zones 6/7/8. Energy savings are substantial and long lasting; wall insulation is difficult to add after new construction is complete.
EC-50: Better Foundation Insulation (colder climates). Improves thermal envelope efficiency through improved foundation insulation (i.e., basements & crawlspaces) in colder climates (R-15/19 and U-F .050/.055). Energy savings are significant and long lasting; foundation insulation is harder to install after new construction is complete.
Plus 3 individual proposals that were not part of “30Plus”
EC-18: Continuous Pilot Light Ban for Gas Lighting. Reduces standby energy losses from continuously burning pilot lights on gaslights; Follows similar bans for pool heaters (IECC) and for residential gas cooking equipment (proposed by US DOE).
EC-20: Adds lighting as a mandatory requirement of IECC.
EC-101: Extending Application of Programmable Thermostats. Builds on programmable thermostat requirements in 2009 code cycle by applying the same requirements to all equipment types that can utilize programmable thermostats. Changes default temperature set-points based on ENERGY STAR program designed to encourage users to save energy by using a lower HVAC equipment settings. (We were able to overturn the Committee’s disapproval of this proposal Assembly Action).
Please get the word out to your members and colleagues.
