This was sent to me by Rick Terry, a HERS Rater with vast experience working with the modular home industry.
Here he talks about new Energy requirements for MA but other states like NJ will also see these beginning in 2017. I wish I could say enjoy the article, but……
Massachusetts Energy Codes and Common Issues Challenging Compliance at Final Testing
an article by Rick Terry, HERS Rater
The MA Energy Codes continue to be another example of “open to interpretation & enforcement” as the transition from IECC2009/IECC2012/MA Stretch Energy (1st ed.) moves to IECC2015/MA Stretch Energy (2nd ed.)!
Statements have been all over the spectrum on what the current situation is and what the future will require in regard to HERS Rater involvement and application. I as a Rater am continuing to search for “solid” answers so I can both serve you and your clients better but also to determine how I need to adjust my business accordingly.
I don’t have those answers yet but I feel like I’m getting closer. Please see the following link for what appears to be a decent resource for what the code changes will mean to us including links to the actual regulations, up to date locator maps for Stretch Code communities and the ENERGY STAR® Version 3.1 (Rev.8) alternative.
http://nebldgsupply.com/what-builders-need-to-know-about-the-stretch-energy-code/
Based on my recent experience with the requirements of the IECC2012 & IECC2015 codes, especially with regard to building envelope leakage, duct leakage, and mechanical ventilation, I STRONGLY urge you to consider your current levels of air sealing, thermal insulation materials and values, and completion of your mechanical bath fans and range hoods. The majority (I’d say roughly 80%) of houses I have tested under the new code requirements have failed the air leakage requirements during the blower door test. Air sealing of the building envelope in the plant and on site is critical to meeting the minimum requirement of 3AirChangesperHour at -50 pascals; a 40% reduction from the 5ACH50 that the IECC2009 required.
The majority of issues are site related, post set, which is always a great challenge due to the number of independent contractors trying to get their respective jobs done and not having any responsibility for the air sealing issues. Here are some of the most common issues challenging the tightening of the envelope:
Marriage walls sealed with expanding foam on all horizontal and vertical exterior seams (prior to covering with sheathing); center beams in attics and basements; interior cross over areas at interior doors and archways. The foam gaskets used in the marriage wall by plant and set crews are a start but DO NOT provide adequate air sealing needed. Additional air sealing, preferably an expanding foam product is required to insure meeting envelope leakage code requirements.
Air sealing with expanding foam and/or caulk of plumbing and electrical penetrations made by contractors on site; sealing radon vents, conduits, and HVAC chases on top and bottom.
Sealing off under tub/shower drain cut outs once plumbing is complete. This are major sources of air leakage in the building envelope as well as between floors which creates more depressurization that pulls air in between floors/units and coming out through unsealed areas of the interior walls like outlets, switches, others. This also occurs where sink drains go into walls and/or through the floors. Also, caulking or foaming between drywall and floor on any walls adjacent to unconditioned space /exterior behind or under tub/showers PRIOR to installing. Just because it is out of site does not mean that these areas do not need to be air sealed when on outside walls. (Same for HVAC chases and fireplaces)
Fireplace box outs need to be completely air sealed at all seams and joints especially top at ceiling to vertical wall and floor to wall; the through the wall vent needs to be addressed as well. The fireplaces are causing a lot of leakage issues; I know there are concerns about both insulating around and air sealing the vent and collar. I spoke with some manufacturers’ reps about using mineral wool for insulation around the flue and the hi-temp red caulking to air seal around the collar and any other seams that can cause leakage. They verbally confirmed with their “higher-ups” that this would be acceptable and not violate any warranties or compliance. I haven’t yet received the confirmation in writing but will definitely get it distributed as soon as I do!
Appliance installs cause additional unsealed penetrations; prior to final install, air seal drains, supplies and electrical wires that were run post set. In addition, even the water lines for ice makers need to be air sealed at the floor or wall.
Condensate drains for HVAC, emergency relief drains on WHW, etc. need to be extended into drains through appropriate grommet to air seal or equivalent. These drains are notorious connections between conditioned and unconditioned spaces.
Weather-stripping doors to basements and attics plus making sure the sweeps or sills seal the gap at the bottom of the door is very important. I’ve also caulked between the casing and drywall on the conditioned side of these doors which is a common source of leakage.
Electric service panels in conditioned spaces on exterior walls are another challenge to air seal. The manufacturers are doing a lot better job in the plants insulating and air sealing around these. Again, once the work on site is started, the leakage becomes more of a challenge as lines are run and service installed. These conduits need to be sealed with appropriate materials prior to energizing the service.
I recommend that builders air seal between the sill plate and top of foundation; better yet, use a two part or single part foam product to spray closed cell foam product to spray the inside of your band joist cavities in a continuous coverage pattern over top of the sill plate and onto the top of the foundation wall. This provides both an excellent thermal barrier as well as air sealing. Several builders also spray foam between the band joist where it makes contact with the sill plate to the top of the foundation wall on the exterior which is an excellent technique as well.
Double check the air sealing of light boxes, smoke detector boxes, outlets, switches, recessed lights, mechanical bath fans and any other penetrations between conditioned and unconditioned space. There is still a measurable mount of leakage in these areas that can make or break meeting the code numbers.
Sealing between HVAC registers and mounting surface (drywall ceiling, hardwood & tile flooring, etc. ) This is typically a site issue but it causes major challenges for both envelope leakage and duct leakage if not done or done well enough. This can be a major area of leakage if not addressed.
Toe kick HVAC registers in kitchens and/or baths need to be properly constructed and air sealed to prevent both duct and envelope leakage. A typical “old School” installation can be a boot mounted on the underside of the floor under a cabinet, a hole cut through the floor into the empty cavity created by the cabinet frame, and then a register cut in the toe kick to let the conditioned air pass through that is emptying into the cavity under the cabinet. This is no longer acceptable and will cause the final testing to fail for duct leakage and increase envelope leakage most of the time as well. IF the HVAC contractor demands that they utilize a toe kick register, they MUST construct and install it correctly.
The register, boot and duct needs to be a continuous unit from the toe kick to the supply trunk and any penetrations between conditioned & unconditioned space fully air sealed to prevent envelope and/or duct leakage.
This industry has made terrific strides to meet the challenges of the various energy programs and codes over the last 13 years that I’ve been directly involved with them. This latest code may be the biggest challenge yet, especially for smaller residential units and multifamily projects as less conditioned space of smaller living spaces is hardest to find areas of opportunity to get to the numbers; larger houses are easier to attain lower numbers with. This issue needs to continue to be taken seriously by manufacturers and especially their builders/clients as it is a difficult task to accomplish without vigilant diligence.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions. I will update you if anything is worthy to report.
Rick Terry
Frederick “Rick” G. Terry III, C.E.M.
Eco-Haven Building Systems
764 Dry Run Road, Beech Creek, PA 16822
570-660-1122 p
[email protected]
RESNET HERS Rater/QAD #2561852
