New Energy Era Starts March 1,2009!
Mar 1, 2009
Major energy code changes will occur on MARCH 1 2009!!!! Homes instantly must be 15% more energy efficient due to the Charlie Christ's executive order # 07-127. New homes and additions larger than 600 square feet will be compared to a more stringent state baseline home on a hour by hour simulation for every day of the year. This means that a home with 13 SEER equipment that barely passed the 2004 energy code will not pass the upcoming code without increasing the homes total energy efficiency. The more stringent energy code requires builders to construct a much better built home as compared to previous energy code standards. Energy Star rated homes are now the new minimum construction standard, the state has given a new sample home built in Tampa Florida with the following characteristics: 2000 sfl x 8 foot ceiling 3 bedrooms, single family home, Tampa airport for climatic data, slab on grade no insulation,full vented attic R-30 batts top of ceiling, 4/12 pitch, 1 to 300 vent ratio, tested shingle with solar absorptance of .75 .(generic white),frame walls with R-13 adjacent to garage and exterior,wood exterior doors (solid) ,15% glass/floor area double pane low e windows with TIM frames + U=.65 + SHGC = .35 + light drapes interior 100% coverage 50% open, infiltration pkg. "good" - building must be constructed per Florida building codes - suburban terrain coefficient, 13 SEER / 7.7 HSPF heat pump with factory sealed air handler located in garage, ducts in attic, 400 sf supply duct, 100 sf return duct. R-8 duct value, proposed leak free duct system (tested and certified by class 1 hers rater)interior mounted 50 gallon electric water heater with .90 EF rating
Tampa Sample home scores a .84 in the new energy code - .85 is the maximum it could score - so you could consider this is the new minimum construction standards you will see starting march 1 2009 - don't worry!!.. - I am here to help!! Neil 813 885 2258.
Each energy decision you make for the home will have an effect on the total building energy score. This required increase in total building energy efficiency can be accomplished by selecting energy saving credits from a list that uses a point system for each credit. So if your home needs 12 points to pass the new energy code - simply pick from the list of energy credits. Consider moving air handling equipment from an attic space into the conditioned space (centrally located for best performance) - can gain significant energy points. Sealed and tested ducts should become a common item selected for new homes with ductwork located in a vented attic space. The use of higher efficient equipment must be used for homes that have inefficient envelope components (homes with greater than 15% floor to glass area).
New input data added to this code change: solar absorptance of roof covering, county, building volume ventilation calculation, precise design location, adjacent garage dimensions and envelope energy values, slab area and % of tile, wood, or carpet coverage, roof style + pitch, vented or sealed attic, attic ventilation ratio, attic framing fraction, truss type (wood or metal), exposed wall orientation and framing fraction, window interior shading, NFRC rated windows allowed, infiltration calculation includes terrain wind shielding coefficient, HVAC equipment sensible heat ratio required, HVAC equipment sub type required, HVAC duct system must be designed using manual D and the exposed area for both supply and return air ducts have input now, amount of return grilles is required, duct leakage type must be selected, water heating system location must be know (interior, garage, exterior), to name a few of the new inputs required. the State has gone to a national energy code program that is based on DOE 2.0 simulation - this means we now have a hour by hour day by day calculation!!(this process takes the computer up to 2 minutes of time)!! big change from the Florida energy code program we used to use.
New mechanical and energy codes (2007) also begin March 1 2009. Some changes include:Reduced design conditions to 91 degree sensible outdoor summer with 78 degree summer indoor thermostat setpoint (68 degree winter indoor thermostat setpoint), design conditions based on exact county/city/state, manual D required for duct system designs FMC 603.2, equipment installation instruction required on site at time of inspection, elevated equipment tie down detail required on drawings, etc. still reading new code books (twice as thick as last 2004 code)!
Tampa Sample home scores a .84 in the new energy code - .85 is the maximum it could score - so you could consider this is the new minimum construction standards you will see starting march 1 2009 - don't worry!!.. - I am here to help!! Neil 813 885 2258.
Each energy decision you make for the home will have an effect on the total building energy score. This required increase in total building energy efficiency can be accomplished by selecting energy saving credits from a list that uses a point system for each credit. So if your home needs 12 points to pass the new energy code - simply pick from the list of energy credits. Consider moving air handling equipment from an attic space into the conditioned space (centrally located for best performance) - can gain significant energy points. Sealed and tested ducts should become a common item selected for new homes with ductwork located in a vented attic space. The use of higher efficient equipment must be used for homes that have inefficient envelope components (homes with greater than 15% floor to glass area).
New input data added to this code change: solar absorptance of roof covering, county, building volume ventilation calculation, precise design location, adjacent garage dimensions and envelope energy values, slab area and % of tile, wood, or carpet coverage, roof style + pitch, vented or sealed attic, attic ventilation ratio, attic framing fraction, truss type (wood or metal), exposed wall orientation and framing fraction, window interior shading, NFRC rated windows allowed, infiltration calculation includes terrain wind shielding coefficient, HVAC equipment sensible heat ratio required, HVAC equipment sub type required, HVAC duct system must be designed using manual D and the exposed area for both supply and return air ducts have input now, amount of return grilles is required, duct leakage type must be selected, water heating system location must be know (interior, garage, exterior), to name a few of the new inputs required. the State has gone to a national energy code program that is based on DOE 2.0 simulation - this means we now have a hour by hour day by day calculation!!(this process takes the computer up to 2 minutes of time)!! big change from the Florida energy code program we used to use.
New mechanical and energy codes (2007) also begin March 1 2009. Some changes include:Reduced design conditions to 91 degree sensible outdoor summer with 78 degree summer indoor thermostat setpoint (68 degree winter indoor thermostat setpoint), design conditions based on exact county/city/state, manual D required for duct system designs FMC 603.2, equipment installation instruction required on site at time of inspection, elevated equipment tie down detail required on drawings, etc. still reading new code books (twice as thick as last 2004 code)!
