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Fall 2001 In This Issue... Spotlight on State Highlights from Software News: In the Field: Status of State State Energy
Do you want this newsletter via e-mail? If you would like to receive this newsletter via e-mail, please send a message to STS@wiley.pnl.gov with "subscribe STS" in the subject line. Letters to the Editor Send your letters to: Pam Cole Fax 509-372-4484
OFFICE OF BUILDING TECHNOLOGY, OFFICE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY |
Be Sure to Watch The U.S. Department of Energy's Building Energy Codes Program, in partnership with the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE) and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), will present details on the newest energy standard, ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-1999, "Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings," on October 30 at 12:00 p.m. (Eastern). Last year's overview broadcast was very successful with over 2000 registered viewers. The number one comment on the broadcast evaluation forms was a request for more details and a separate broadcast for each topic area. You asked for it... you got it! Three, 75-minute broadcasts will air consecutively (separated by 15-minute intermissions) that will cover requirements for the building envelope, mechanical, and lighting energy systems. If you design, build, own, operate, or regulate commercial buildings, then you must see these broadcasts.
To View the Broadcast 1. Check out the Current Registered Sites. These sites have agreed to make their facilities available to viewers. 2. If a registered site in not in your area, you can check other places in your community that may be able to downlink the broadcast for you:
3. Web cast. View the presentation live over the Internet using QuickTime. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory will be streaming the satellite feed live. If you would like to host a downlink site, the broadcast will be available only in Ku Analog (Telstar 5, Transponder 13 Full). Please confirm that sites are able to receive Ku-Analog before registering. Copies of the presentations will be available for download by October 15. Register as a host site, see a current list of registered sites, find more information on how to view the broadcast live over the internet, and download the presentations here. Spotlight on State Activities: In 1997, Hawaii received a $255,000 State Energy Program "Special Projects" competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. The goal of the project was to develop, demonstrate, test, evaluate, and promote residential energy-efficient building guidelines that will not substantially increase construction costs for builders. Hawaii's first "Built Green™" energy-efficient home, dedicated in a ceremony on May 15, 2001, met this goal. This prototype home, and the Island of Oahu's first Energy Star qualified home, is a 4-bedroom, 2-1/2 bath home that incorporates numerous energy-saving features. These features will provide energy savings of at least $600 per year (based on 14.5¢ per kW/h) that will start accruing right away for the new homeowners. The improvements are estimated to lower the interior temperature of the home and enable occupants to feel 9 degrees cooler than occupants in neighboring houses that do not have these features. The lower interior temperature is important given that the Wai'anae Valley home is located in one of O'ahu's hottest climate areas. The three primary energy efficiency features of the home are utility-approved solar water heating, radiant barriers to reflect the sun, and natural ventilation. Details of these and other improvements include:
 Contractors in Hawaii, the Pacific territories, Caribbean entities, and other southern states will be encouraged to incorporate these and other energy-saving modifications included in a new set of guidelines entitled, "Guidelines for Energy Performance, Comfort and Value in Hawaii Homes," into their homes. They will be especially encouraged to incorporate these modifications in homes for low-income families who can least afford to pay extra money for air conditioning and other high energy-consuming features. The project is a result of a historical public/private partnership that included the U.S. Department of Energy, State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism's Energy Division, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, the Building Industry Association of Hawaii, Honsador Lumber Corporation, the Honolulu Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. Kathleen O'Brien, O'Brien & Company, Inc. (developer of the "Build a Better Kitsap" program in Washington), was a subcontractor to the AIA and assisted with the development of a consumer brochure and Field Guide, which details and illustrates Guideline principles. For more information, contact Dean Masai, DBEDT Energy Program Specialist, 808-587-3804, or dmasai@dbedt.hawaii.gov. Highlights from the 2001 National Workshop on State Building Energy Codes In mid-July, 200 participants gathered in Vermont for the 2001 National Workshop on State Building Energy Codes. The event, which included pre- and post-workshop training sessions, attracted attendees representing energy-related organizations in 41 states and territories as well as Canada. Participants included staff from state energy offices, product suppliers, utilities, energy code consultants, energy efficiency advocacy groups, national laboratories, and model code organizations. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Building Standard and Guidelines Program (BSGP) sponsored the event, which was hosted by the Vermont Department of Public Service at the Sheraton Hotel in Burlington. Keynote speaker, Mark Ginsberg, DOE Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Building Technology, State and Community Programs, stressed the importance of the workshop in bringing together key players responsible for incorporating energy efficiency into building codes. The workshop agenda was designed to support the needs of states, industry, code proponents, and stakeholder groups as they strive to advocate, adopt, implement, enforce, and use building energy codes. The agenda included informative and technical sessions addressing a wide range of issues such as national model codes and standards, code implementation, code compliance and enforcement, impact of codes on building performance, consumer education, technologies for warm-climate code compliance, voluntary beyond-code efforts, indoor air quality, private industry as energy code advocates, proper ducts and building commissioning, and codes and market transformation. Winners in the Best of Show competition, designed to encourage states to enter examples of tools or materials developed to support building energy codes, were: Brochure or Newsletter - honorable mention for the Insulation Contractors Association of America's brochure on the issue of "fluffing" Promotional - Paul Tschida, Montana, workshop promotion for Stop Smoking/Wood Stove Thermometer Electronic Medium - David Weitz, Massachusetts, for building energy codes website Training Curriculum - Susan Recken, Arkansas, for Energy Performance Tune-Up - Builder Kits for New Home Construction. Activities before and after the formal presentations included residential and commercial building tours and training sessions on ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-1999 and the International Energy Conservation Code. The Energy and Environmental Building Association also sponsored a full day of training. The agenda, attendance list, and presentations for the 2001 National Workshop are available here. Plans for next year's workshop are just beginning. Details will be posted on the Internet and published in future issues of Setting the Standard. Software News: The newest addition to the MECcheck product line is coming this fall-a web-based MECcheck. The web-based version is a cross between two previously offered products: the MECcheck Software and the MECcheck Prescriptive Packages. The MECcheck Prescriptive Packages, the simplest of the MECcheck approaches, allows builders or designers to select from various combinations of energy conservation measures based on "climate zone" location. Each combination or "package" specifies insulation levels, glazing U-factors (thermal performance), and optional heating and cooling equipment efficiencies. By locating the correct climate zone and looking up the appropriate table of packages, builders and officials can ensure a design meets one of the packages listed for that zone. The MECcheck Software automates energy code compliance using Windows-based software. It allows users to try any combination of insulation, windows, and heating and cooling equipment until compliant combinations are found. The software generates a report that is suitable for submission to the local building department. The New Web-Based MECcheck is similar to the MECcheck software in that it will allow users to try out different combinations of insulation, windows, and heating and cooling equipment to show compliance. It is also similar to the MECcheck prescriptive package compliance approach in that it does not require users to enter areas for the building envelope components. However, the web-based version will have the following advantages over existing approaches:
 Users can still generate reports based on their selections that can then be submitted to the local building department. This approach is a first step toward offering energy code compliance software over the web. Information and assistance is available by sending an e-mail message to techsupport@wiley.pnl.gov. Software Tip: In the Field: Why might a metal building with R-19 insulation not meet the energy code?  What is a thermal bridge? What is a solution to thermal bridging?  How can I easily show code compliance for metal buildings?
The software will recalculate the assembly U-factors after entering the cavity or continuous insulation R-value to be installed. (Continuous insulation is insulation that runs continuously over structural members and is free of significant thermal bridging; one example is rigid-foam insulation above the roof deck.) COMcheck-EZ allows for "Other" assemblies not listed in the software. When using "Other" as your assembly option, you will need to enter the overall assembly U-factor, including exterior and interior air films. For metal buildings, the roof and wall U-factors for a variety of constructions are available from the manufacturer, the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA), or ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-1999. You can use the U-factor information from the manufacturer or standard and attach a copy of your information source to your building plans. You can also edit the assembly definition "Other" to display your complete assembly. For example, if you use Company A's EZWall system, you can change the word "Other" in the assembly column of the software to read "Company A's EZWall system." (Building departments may require supporting documentation for assemblies entered using the "Other" category and "U-Factor" field.) 
Figure 3 shows examples of metal building roof and wall input assemblies. COMcheck-EZ software can be downloaded at no cost from the BTS website. Status of State Energy Codes: States and local jurisdictions continue to demonstrate their commitment to ensure that energy-efficient technologies and practices are incorporated in building design and construction by adopting more stringent energy codes and providing training to help implement these codes. The state of Alabama is working with Auburn University to develop a series of workshops for homebuilders, architects, and building code officials designed to educate stakeholders on the state's Residential Energy Code. Workshops are planned in July and September. After more than a year-long review process, Alaska has adopted the International Building, Fire, and Mechanical Codes. On April 16, 2001, Arizona passed a voluntary state energy code based on the International Code Council's 2000 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-1999 with amendments. Tucson/Pima County has adopted the 1998 IECC. Training sessions on the revised Title 24 residential and nonresidential energy standards, effective June 1, 2001, are currently underway throughout California. In Illinois, the Chicago City Council voted in a landmark vote to adopt the 2000 IECC with amendments. The new code means new homes and all buildings will be constructed to minimal energy standards for HVAC systems, lighting, and envelope. The code is 99% identical to the Model Energy Code and ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-1999, but has unique Urban Heat Island requirements not found in other codes. The new code becomes effective January 2002. A bill has been introduced in the Louisiana legislature to adopt the 2000 IECC as a mandatory energy code for one- and two-family residential buildings. New York has completed the final code language that was presented to and accepted by the New York Codes Council last month. The 2000 IECC with 2001 supplement will become effective January 1, 2002. The South Carolina Building Codes Council began implementing the 2000 I-codes, including the International Building Code (IBC) that includes the IECC, effective July 2001. The adoption of the International Residential Code (IRC) has been moved to July 2002. In South Dakota, the legislature passed the Senate Bill that provides for the governing body of any local jurisdiction to adopt any ordinance prescribing standards for new construction. Such ordinance shall comply with the 1997 edition of the Uniform Building Code as published by the International Conference of Building Officials or the 2000 edition of the IBC as published by the International Code Council. The Governor of Texas signed into law legislation amending Subtitle C, Title 5, of the Texas Health and Safety Code, which becomes effective September 1, 2001. The amendment adds Chapter 388, Texas Building Energy Performance Standards, as one measure to meet the federal Clean Air Act. Chapter 388 adopts the energy efficiency chapter of the IRC as the energy code in Texas for single?family residential construction. (The IRC contains the simplified chapter of the IECC.) Chapter 388 also adopts the IECC as the energy code for all other residential, commercial, and industrial construction. (The IECC includes Standard 90.1-1999 by reference for these building types, but it also still contains a compliance path based on the 1989 edition of Standard 90.1.) Utah's Uniform Building Code Commission voted unanimously to approve an administrative rule to adopt the 2000 IBC, including the IECC and the IRC. The state had previously adopted several of the other I-codes. In Wisconsin, the Department of Commerce is planning six days of training in early 2002 for commercial building inspectors on the use of the IBC suite of codes. One of the six days will be devoted to the International Mechanical Code and the IECC. For more information on building energy codes and state activities, or to receive a free subscription to the Status of State Energy Codes newsletter, the bimonthly publication of the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP), contact BCAP at bcap@ase.org or via the Internet at www.bcap-energy.org. State Energy Offices Receive Grant Awards On May 30, 2001, Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham announced that the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Building Technology, State and Community Programs awarded more than $4.5 million in grants to 28 states and the territory of Guam. States, territories, and the District of Columbia competed for the awards through the Energy Department’s State Energy Program. The awards provide specialized funding in addition to annual formula grants to each State Energy Office. The grants will fund 30 special projects to enable states with existing building energy codes to continue technical assistance, education, and outreach work to support the adoption and implementation of state-specific codes. Grants also fund states without existing codes to assist in developing or adopting new building energy codes. For more detailed narrative descriptions of each state specific project(s) go to: www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/state_energy/projects/cfm/searchprojects.cfm. Calendar September 2001
October 2001
November 2001
December 2001
Setting the Standard is published three times a year by the Building Energy Codes Program of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Building Technology, State and Community Programs at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Its purpose is to encourage information exchange among building industry professionals and organizations, state and local code officials, and researchers to facilitate timely development and early adoption of the building energy conservation standards. Send comments and contributions to Pame Cole at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (pam.cole@pnl.gov).
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