Monthly Newsletters
Our team is compiling and creating resources to help designers, builders, code enforcement personnel, and other industry experts achieve compliance with the energy code – starting with a monthly newsletter! Recent newsletters are posted below.
Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU) Walls
Photo credit: www.countymaterials.com
Concrete masonry units have unique properties that make them ideal for use in constructing traditional wall systems. CMUs also create buildings that are wind, fire, moisture, rot, and pest resistant. CMUs are easy to maintain and can often be salvaged and repurposed, making them a more sustainable material overall. CMU walls can provide durable exterior in harsh and demanding environments, can contain recycled materials, contain no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and provide thermal mass to maintain uniform temperatures within the structure (as shown below).
The effect of thermal mass is maximized when all or most of the insulation is placed on the exterior of mass walls, thus allowing the CMUs to hold heat longer in cool weather and hold cool air inside for longer periods. Ultimately, this reduces the heating and cooling loads required for occupant comfort and shifting HVAC loads to off-peak hours.
Meeting Code with Commercial Efficient Windows
NFRC Certificates
According to Building Codes Assistance Project, commercial fenestration has been identified as one of the most non-compliant provisions in the energy code, mainly due to most commercial window assemblies being site-built. As defined in the IECC, site-built fenestration product is “a fenestration designed to be made up of field-glazed or field-assembled units using specific factory cut or otherwise factory-formed framing and glazing units. Examples of site-built fenestration include storefront systems, curtain walls, and atrium roof systems.”
Energy Rating Index Compliance Alternative
In addition to the prescriptive and performance paths, the requirements of the Energy Rating Index (ERI) compliance alternative performance path provide builders an additional option for complying with the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) in Section R406. Through a wide range of performance options, compliance can be shown by meeting a target ERI score.
Air Balance
HVAC comfort begins with a quality design and installation, but both these important elements can be defeated if the system is not balanced as the final step to ensure that the correct amount of heated or cooled air gets distributed to all the rooms
Homeowner complaints about their HVAC system are usually not due to inadequate equipment, but rather poor airflow characteristics. Balance is especially critical for houses with one duct system and one thermostat. Often, the room with the thermostat will heat or cool quickly, satisfy the thermostat, and shut off the HVAC system before the back bedrooms or other spaces have had the chance to reach the desired temperature. Unbalanced airflow is often the cause.
Request for Proposals:
Idaho Energy Code Trainer and Technical Assistance Support
The Association of Idaho Cities (AIC) is soliciting proposals for an Idaho State Energy Code Residential and Commercial Provisions Trainer and Technical Assistance Provider.
Commercial Air Barriers & Commercial Heated Slabs
According to the Department of Energy, approximately 40% of the energy of heating and cooling a building is lost by uncontrolled air leakage through the building envelope.
Unvented Crawl Spaces
Crawl spaces that are constructed to be unvented, air-sealed, insulated, and conditioned can have several advantages over vented crawlspaces.
Insulated Concrete Forms
Insulated concrete forms (ICF) are a system of expanded polystyrene (EPS) rigid insulation blocks separated by plastic webbing, stacked in an off-set pattern, strengthened by vertical rebar and filled with concrete.
CMU Walls and Knee Walls - November & December 2021
This month we are discussing two important energy code topics: concrete masonry unit walls and knee walls. Concrete masonry units have unique properties that make them ideal for use in energy-efficient wall systems. Knee walls, on the other hand, are tricky to insulate and can have a huge impact on energy use and occupant comfort.
Attic Ventilation - October 2021
Attics spaces can contribute significantly to the durability and energy efficiency of a home and play an important role in ensuring occupant health and comfort. This month we are discussing attic ventilation– the differences between vented and unvented attics, the purpose of attic ventilation, and ways to ensure attics are as efficient as possible.
Commercial Energy Code Compliance: COMcheck - September 2021
Compliance with the commercial provisions of the Idaho Energy Code can be demonstrated in various ways. Many jurisdictions offer prescriptive checklists and/or accept COMcheck™ reports. This month we are discussing the latter – what COMcheck is, the information needed to complete a COMcheck, and why this is an important tool for the industry.
Advanced Framing and Energy Efficiency - August 2021
Advanced framing is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to accommodate increasing required insulation R-values and to ensure insulation is properly installed and the envelope sufficiently sealed. This month we will define what advanced framing is and explore the benefits of these framing techniques for builders, contractors, and homeowners.
Luminaire Level Lighting Controls - July 2021
This month we will discuss what luminaire level lighting controls are, the benefits of using them in commercial or industrial projects, and local utility programs that incentivize this new approach to lighting controls.
Residential HVAC Load Calculations: Manual J Overview - June 2021
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment and systems are installed in homes and businesses to ensure occupants are comfortable and indoor air quality is safe and healthy. According to a 2015 study conducted by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, space heating and air conditioning account for 51 percent of the annual energy consumption of households in the United States. As such, it is important that the equipment that keeps us comfortable is also energy efficient. This month we are discussing Manual J load calculations and why they are a critical part of the HVAC design process.
Commercial Documentation for Energy Code Compliance - May 2021
Idaho’s commercial energy code provides several options for projects to demonstrate compliance with its provisions. Projects may comply with either the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or ASHRAE Standard 90.1 – 2016, both of which offer prescriptive and performance options for code compliance. For each of these compliance paths, project plans and compliance documentation must be submitted to the code official or their delegate for review. Let’s discuss compliance documentation – what must be included, who needs to submit it, and why it is critical to the process.
Energy Rating Index and Idaho Amendments - April 2021
Idaho’s residential energy code outlines several options for projects to demonstrate compliance with its provisions. Projects may comply prescriptively by meeting specified efficiency values or by using one of the performance approaches that allows trade-offs between various building components. The performance approaches provide designers and builders more flexibility in how to achieve compliance with the code. This month, we are discussing Section R406, the Energy Rating Index compliance alternative.
Building Commissioning - March 2021
Commissioning is a mandatory requirement for commercial projects complying with the Idaho Energy Code. March’s newsletter discusses what building commissioning is, why it is important, and how to find a qualified individual or company to complete commissioning for your next project.
Air Leakage and Envelope Testing - Feb 2021
Limiting air leakage is one of the key residential changes, but what is it? Why is it important? And how do we test for it? February’s newsletter answers these questions and more!
2018 IECC Overview - Jan 2021
Effective January 1, 2021, all residential and commercial buildings must now comply with the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with Idaho amendments. January’s newsletter discusses the 2018 IECC and Idaho’s amendments.