2012 Kentucky Energy CodeBased on the 2009 IECC

By: Eric N. George

o Main focus is on the building “envelope”o There are 3 “Compliance Paths” = Prescriptive, UA

Alternative, and Performance Patho Windows = U-factor .35, max = .48o Basement walls = R10 from footer to topo Slab insulation – R10 2 feet deepo Recessed lights – Must be ICAT-labeled (air-tight)o Attic Insulation over exterior top plates = R30o Ducts located in unconditioned spaceoSupply ducts = R8oAll other ducts = R6 minimum

Summary of Changes

o Ducts in unconditioned space must be visually inspected for air-sealing OR duct-blaster testedoMax leakage to outside = 8 CFM/100 SF floor area

o Air-tightness of building must be visually inspected before drywall and/or blower-door testedoMax air-leakage rate = 7 ACH@50 Pa

o Attic hatches & doors to unconditioned space must be weather-stripped and insulated to same R-value as surrounding area

Summary of Changes

o Fireplaces must have gasketed doors & provide outside combustion air

o Using the Performance Path, the efficiency of the HVAC system is not considered for compliance.oThe building envelope’s annual energy use must be

equal to the same-size house meeting the prescriptive requirements.

Summary of Changes

Conditioned Space:

Any area or room within a building that is heated or cooled, regardless of whether or not the area or room is considered “finished space”.

Ex) Most unfinished basements are “conditioned”

Definitions

Building Thermal Envelope:

The basement walls, exterior walls, floor, ceilings, and any other building element that enclose the conditioned space & separate indoors from outdoors

Definitions

The new energy code will effect all residential builders and their subs. Each sub needs to know what is expected

o Builderso Framerso Windows & doorso Electricians, Plumbers, and HVACo Insulatorso Foundation crewso HERS Raters*

Builders & Subcontractors

o Which compliance path to choose?o Will there be an HVAC system in the attic?oWhat type of HVAC system & efficiency ratings?

o Where and how will the thermal boundary be established (insulation)?

o Where and how the air-barriers will be installed?o What sub will be responsible for each function?o Must ensure that ALL mandatory provisions are

met

Builders

o Provide blueprints with all insulation levels, window & door U-factorsoBlueprints should include square footage per floor, all

exterior dimensions, including window & door R.O.o Identify areas on blueprints that will need attention before

drywall is installedo Knee walls facing attic spaceo Fireplaces & tubs/showers on exterior wallso Cantileverso Bulkheads, soffits, and chase cavitieso Double wallso Staircase walls

Builders

Foundation Contractor

o R10 perimeter insulation required (2” thick)o Downward from top of slab 24” minimumo Insulation can be vertical or extend horizontally

under the slab or out from the buildingoFor horizontal, insulation must be under 10” of soiloCan be angled or tapered off at 45 degree angle at edge

Slab-On-Grade Floors

Slab-On-Grade Floors

For unfinished basements, you will need to insulate to R5 minimum, either exterior or interior

Prescriptively, R10 is required from footer to top of wall◦ Using the Performance Path, R5 on the top 4’ around the

entire perimeter often passes For “conditioned crawlspaces”, R5-R10 on the

inside of the wall from footer to top

Basement & Crawl Walls

Framing Contractor

o Optimal framing practices o “California corners”, ladder-T’s, insulated headers, etc

o Will there be an HVAC system in the attic?o Is there an attic access inside the home?o Where blocking is needed for air-barriersoKnee walls – On attic side, includes a top & bottom plateoCantilevered floors – Fill completely & block above

foundation walloBonus rooms over garages – Block & seal openings to

side attic spaces

Framers Need to Know:

HVAC Platform

Built-up Attic Hatch

Corner Framing to Allow Insulation

Exterior

Interior

Insulated Headers

Prepping for Insulation

Knee Wall Blocking

Knee Wall Blocking

Exterior WallsAll wall cavities MUST have a six-sided air-barrier!

Top, Bottom, Left, Right, Front, and Back

No top-plate!

Exterior WallsAll wall cavities MUST have a six-sided air-barrier!

Gable End Walls

No top-plate!

Cantilevered Floors

How to insulate properly?

Should be filled completely with blown-in insulation or batt that is thick enough to fill cavity.

Air-seal blocking to framing with foam or silicone caulk

Bulkheads & Dropped Soffits

Must install blocking above and behind soffits if on exterior walls, or if unconditioned space is directly above.

Skylight Air-Barrier

Easiest way to insulate skylights is with spray-foam insulation, otherwise it’s very difficult to get the air-barrier right!

Fireplace Wall Air-Barrier

Garage Band Joist Air-Barrier

Garage Band Joist Air-Barrier

Air-Barrier Behind Tub/Shower

Must extend the FULL height & width of shower or tub!

Must be SECURED & SEALED to framing!

How will this be insulated? Who will need to do it?

Plumbers

o Install R2 on water lines in a circulating systemoMust install automatic or manual shut-off for when

system is not in useo Be conscious of the SIZE of the holes they cut! oDon’t make it any bigger than it has to be!

o Ensure exterior walls behind tubs/showers are insulated with an interior air-barrier PRIOR to tub installation.◦ Can also blow-in insulation through air-barrier, then seal

the holes

Plumbers Need to:

Electricians

o Install ICAT-labeled recessed lights adjacent to unconditioned spaceo ICAT = Insulation Contact Air-Tight

o Prescriptively, install 50% or more CFL or LED lights in permanent fixturesoThese do not have to be Energy Star “pin-based” fixtures

Electricians Need to:

Recessed Lights

o IC-Rated and labeled with no penetrations between inside and outside of can.

o Sealed with a gasket and/or can is caulked/foamed to drywall ceiling.

HVAC Contractors

o Location of the thermal boundaryo Estimated air-leakage rate (for Manual J sizing)o Insulation levels throughout, including window &

door performance data (for Manual J sizing)o Will there be a system located in an unconditioned

attic?

HVAC Contractors Need to Know:

o Heating & cooling load calcs using Manual J or other approved software

o R-8 supply ducts in unconditioned spaceo If using Performance Path, use R-6

o R-6 for return air ducts in unconditioned spaceso Sealed duct work with mastic, UL-181 metal tape,

and/or silicone caulk

HVAC Contractors Need to Provide:

o One programmable thermostat for each forced-air system

o Heat-pumps must have a control to prevent emergency heat from coming on too early

o R-3 insulation on all piping carrying fluids over 105 degrees or under 55

These are all mandatory requirements!

HVAC Contractors Need to Provide:

o ALL duct work must be sealed, including those located inside conditioned space!

o If all ducts are inside conditioned space, no duct leakage testing required, however must still do a visual inspection by independent 3rd party (HERS Rater)

o Leakage to outside must be less than 8 CFM/100 SF of floor space serviced (each system)

o A Duct Blaster will be used to quantify leakage to outdoors

Duct Sealing is Critical

Duct Sealing is Critical

Duct Sealing is Critical

Duct Leakage TestingHERS Rater must provide certification that ducts meet Post-Construction standards:

o Leakage to outside <= 8 CFM per 100 SF floor area, ORo Total leakage <= 12 CFM per 100 SF floor area

Rough-in standards:o Total leakage with air-handler <= 6 CFM per 100 SF, ORo Total leakage without air-handler <= 4 CFM per 100 SF

Air-Sealing

Air-Sealing RequirementsSection 402.4.1 – Building Thermal Envelope

o Requires the envelope to be sealed to limit air-infiltrationo Use flexible, durable sealants to seal different building materials together. Example – Wood to metal, drywall to wood, etco Windows & doors MUST be sealed to framing with minimal expansion foam. Stuffing fiberglass is NOT allowed!o All utility penetrations to exterioro Dropped ceilings, chases, bulkheads, etc that are adjacent to thermal boundaryo Garage rim joists open to living space, between floorso Behind bath tubs, showers, and fireplaces on exterior wallso Double/common wallso Attic access openings

Insulation

Labels & Identification

Section 303.1.1 – Insulation installers shall provide a certificate listing insulation type, manufacturer, and R-value installed

Labels & Identification

Section 303.1.1.1 – Blown or sprayed roof/ceiling insulation must have one depth marker (ruler) installed for every 300 SF of attic space. Ruler should face attic access to read easily.

Insulation InstallationBatt wall insulation should be cut to fit around electrical boxes, split around plumbing and electrical lines, and not compressed in any way.

It should completely fill the cavity, including behind lateral framing and exterior corners

Foundation insulation should be permanently secured

Ceiling insulation should be even and continuous across exterior top-plates. R30 minimum at edges!

Standard Roof TrussDo not provide enough clearance at ceiling edges for full amount of insulation!

Raised Heel TrussProvides clearance at ceiling edges for full amount of

insulation!

Attic Hatches & DoorsAll attic hatches must be weather-stripped and insulated to same R-value as surrounding area.

Vertical hatches in knee walls must be sealed and insulated as well

Floor/FoundationIf building on a ventilated crawlspace or a room over garage, floor insulation must be in direct contact & supported against subfloor.

R19 is minimum code in Climate Zone 4 (KY)

Foundations must be insulated to R10 continuous or R13 in framed cavities (Prescriptively)o For continuous insulation this can be installed on exterior or interior

Conditioned Crawl SpacesAll openings to outside are sealed, with no vents needed

The entire perimeter of the crawlspace walls should be insulated from footer to top with R5 minimum.

Must be mechanically ventilated OR supplied with conditioned air at 1 CFM per 50 SF floor area

Ground must be covered with 6 mil thick vapor barrier, overlapped 6” and all seams taped. Plastic should extend up foundation walls at least 6” and be secured to wall or insulation.

Eric GeorgeThe Building Performance Group

502-509-5535Eric@BuildingPerformanceGroup.com

www.BuildingPerformanceGroup.com

www.NewKentuckyEnergyCode.com

Questions?