Program Highlights - May 2007
Welcome to the U.S. Department of Energy Building Energy Codes Program's (BECP) monthly newsletter. This newsletter provides the latest information on our work to increase the energy efficiency of the nation's commercial and residential buildings.
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 Register for Energy Codes 2007!
It's not too late to register for Energy Codes 2007, formerly known as the National Workshop on State Building Energy Codes. Learn about energy codes- and standards-related topics, and network with the energy codes community. This year's event is being held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, July 24-27 at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel.
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ICC Final Action Hearings
BECP staff attended the International Code Council's (ICC's) Final Action Hearings in Rochester, New York in May.
Specific changes related to the residential energy code follow.
- Specifications for what materials qualify as a vapor retarder were added to the I-codes.
- The maximum solar heat gain coefficient was lowered to 0.37 in Climate Zones 1 and 2 in the International Energy Conservation Code® (IECC).
- Recessed light fixture air-tightness testing is now mandatory in the IECC.
- Duct insulation requirements were lowered from R-8 to R-6 for all ducts except ducts in attics.
Specific changes related to the commercial energy code follow.
- A U-factor table was added to the existing R-value tables.
- Vapor retarder requirements for Climate Zones 5, 6, 7, and 8 as well as Marine 4 were added.
- Recessed light fixture air-tightness testing is now mandatory.
- New demand control ventilation requirements for high-occupancy spaces were added.
- Requirements for separate controls (not necessarily automatic) in daylight zones were added.
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Update Available for REScheck™
Add the latest version of REScheck to your toolbox. Download the minor upgrade, REScheck 4.1.0, which includes an enhancement to display both the U factor times area and equipment performance compliance indices in IECC 2006.
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BECP Website
Website hits at www.energycodes.gov, a national resource on model energy codes, totaled 3,601,657 in May.
Technical Assistance to States
New York
BECP completed several energy analyses for offices, schools, retail buildings, and hospitals in three climate zones under two levels of building standards (ASHRAE Standard 90.1-1999/2001 and ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004) for New York.
Technical Assistance to Users
Got code questions? We've got code answers. In May alone, BECP received and responded to 412 Technical Support inquiries. Email your questions to: techsupport@wiley.pnl.gov.
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Training
BECP's live webcast registration fills up fast, but you can always view the recorded webcasts. The webcast, ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004 - Mechanical Overview, presented by Mark Hydeman of Taylor Engineering, LLC, was broadcast May 24, 2007. Almost 1500 people attended.
Calendar of Events
Check it out! BECP provides a Calendar of Events that identifies buildings-related conferences and workshops as well as national energy code training and state energy code training conducted across the nation. Visitors to the site are encouraged to add a training or event.
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