Building and Planning Departments

How to present plans to desk staff and get them approved.

v.JULY2017

The Energy Code Compliance Process

Just three basic steps:

Determine what is required Install it Verify it

The Energy Code Compliance Process

The energy forms facilitate this process

CF1R – Certificate of Compliance CF2R – Certificate of Installation CF3R – Certificate of Verification

The Energy Code Compliance Process

In other words:

CF1R – What’s required CF2R – What’s installed (ALL measures) CF3R – What’s verified (HERS measures)

How to present plans to desk staff and get them approved.

v.JULY2017

Contents of a Complete Submittal Package

Architectural Plans Must accurately describe the scope of project:

– New construction – Addition

• New vs. Existing • Don’t forget HVAC and water heating

– Alteration • Renovation of an existing building and/or components

– Addition and/or Alteration • E+A+A • Addition Alone

Contents of a Complete Submittal Package

Architectural Plans Must accurately show areas and orientation/direction:

– Fenestration (windows, sliding glass doors, skylights, etc.) – Overhangs/sidefins – can greatly reduce solar gains – Opaque surfaces

• Walls, floors, ceilings, doors, etc.

Contents of a Complete Submittal Package

Architectural Plans Must accurately show construction details:

– Assemblies • Framing • Headers – Indicate structural single headers with QII • Trusses – Indicate truss heel/energy heel height • Sheathing and cavity insulation

– Continuous air barrier

Contents of a Complete Submittal Package

Architectural Plans Must accurately show locations of:

– Ducts and HVAC equipment • ACCA J/S/D required (or equal) for all entirely new systems • Full duct layout (HVAC plans)

– Water heater – IAQ fans (mandatory) – Whole house fans (optional) – Lighting and controls – Solar PV, Solar Thermal Systems, Battery Systems

Contents of a Complete Submittal Package

Equipment Specifications • HVAC – type, number, size, efficiency, MERV rating of air filters • Water heating– type, number, size, efficiency, distribution (if energy

efficient) • Drain water Heat Recovery Systems (new option 2019) • IAQ fans– type, number, size, efficiency, balanced vs. exhaust only

vs. supply only • Whole house fans– type, number, size, efficiency, NFA • Windows– type, number, size, NFRC values (U-factor, SHGC) • Lighting & Controls

Contents of a Complete Submittal Package

Title-24 Energy Calculations (CF1R-PRF-01) Usually part of the plan set sheets. General information – Check for accuracy

– City, climate zone – Building type (single family, multi family, etc.) – Project Scope – Conditioned Floor Area (CFA) – Code cycle/ Standards Version – Software used – EnergyPro, CBECC-Res – Natural Gas available? – Glazing percentage (total glazing area divided by CFA)

Contents of a Complete Submittal Package

Title-24 Energy Calculations (CF1R-PRF-01) • Compliance margin – gives you an idea of “room for error” • HERS Feature Summary • Areas and orientations – Windows and opaque surfaces • Performance values – U-factors, R-values, SHGC, • HVAC – system type, # of systems, efficiency, duct location and

R-values • Water heating – system type, # of systems, efficiency, pipe

insulation • Fans

Building and Planning Departments

What desk staff should look at and how they will check. (Plan Check)

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What desk staff should look at and how they will check.

Plan Checkers are very busy • Energy code is complicated • They have many other codes to check. • Just because they don’t catch something, this does not

mean it’s OK to build house wrong. (It also doesn’t mean that someone isn’t liable for it later on.)

• Everyone has some responsibility.

What desk staff should look at and how they will check.

Is Project Registered? • CF1R-PERF-01 will indicate which

provider (watermark) • Log into HERS registry and make sure

it is there. • Specifying wrong jurisdiction is a

common error especially for counties. • Registration ensures proper tracking of

all compliance documentation

What desk staff should look at and how they will check.

Energy Calculations must MATCH Architectural Plans and Equipment Specifications

• General information • Areas and orientations – Windows and opaque surfaces • Performance values – U-factors, R-values, SHGC, • HVAC – system type, # of systems, efficiency, duct location and R-

vales • Water heating – system type, # of systems, efficiency, pipe

insulation • Fans • Etc.

Building and Planning Departments

What Field Performance Checks Should Look Like

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What Field Performance Checks Should Look Like

Field Inspectors are very busy • Energy code is complicated • They have many other codes to check. • Just because they don’t catch something, this does not

mean it’s OK to build house wrong. (It also doesn’t mean that someone isn’t liable for it later on.)

• Everyone has some responsibility. • (Sound familiar?)

What Field Performance Checks Should Look Like

CF2R – Certificate of Installation • Signed affidavit. • All features. HERS and Non-HERS • Building departments can/should/will use the HERS

Registry Project Status Report (PSR) to make sure these all get completed and signed

What Field Performance Checks Should Look Like

CF3R – Certificate of Verification • HERS Features Only • Proof that features passed a special test or inspection

performed by a 3rd party special inspector. • Building departments can/should/will use the HERS

Registry Project Status Report (PSR) to make sure these all get completed/signed

HERS Raters are Special Inspectors • Like other special inspectors, HERS raters

need to work closely with the building department.

• HERS raters assist the building department to enforce the Energy Code.

• Raters are a cross between a cop and a coach.

What Field Performance Checks Should Look Like

Project Status Report Printed Version

• Layout is regulated by CEC. • All providers are required to

provide a PSR. • ~ Two pages • CF1Rs • CF2Rs • CF3Rs

“All Green Dots!”

Building Envelope

QII – Quality Insulation Installation (HERS measure) • A prescriptive measure for 2019 Code. • The house that sets your target has QII. • Not mandatory, but hard to pass without it. • Very thorough inspection of insulation and air barrier.

• Google search: CalCERTS QII Handbook

Qualification Requirements for PV and Batteries

PV – System Output 150.1(c)14 and Joint Appendix JA11 (2019)

• Panel type • Panel size • Number of panels • Orientation/tilt • Shading

• There will be CF2Rs and Monitoring

Recommended Process - New Construction Projects

1. At time of permit application, make sure project is registered (uploaded to a registry).

2. Make sure you can find it in the registry. If not, make sure correct jurisdiction was selected, and it has been transferred to a “Project.”

3. Plan check: Make sure CF1R matches plans; especially windows! 4. Field Inspection: Use Project Status Checklist. Spot check CF2Rs

for accuracy. Does it match installed features? 5. Require “All Green Dots” prior to Certificate of Occupancy.

Resources

• www.calcerts.com – information about the CalCERTS registry and becoming a HERS rater, find a HERS rater

• 916-985-3400 ext “*” for Registry Tech Support • 916-985-3400 ext “#” for Field Support

• www.energy.ca.gov/title24 – information about the energy codes, code books, compliance manuals, forms, etc.

• www.cabec.org (California Association of Building Energy Consultants) – Information about various certifications, find an energy consultant

Contact Info

Russell King, M.E.

CalCERTS, Inc. Sr. Director of Technical Services

916-747-3792 russ@calcerts.com