ICC Res Energy flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Residential code scope

The residential energy provisions apply to detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories above grade plane, including associated systems and equipment.

Energy certificate requirement

A permanent certificate must list insulation R-values, fenestration U-factors and SHGC, HVAC equipment efficiencies, and water heating efficiencies, and be posted at final inspection.

Mandatory requirements

Certain requirements apply regardless of the compliance path chosen, such as envelope sealing, duct sealing, and equipment efficiency, and cannot be traded away.

Building official enforcement

The building official enforces the adopted energy code, may require inspections or tests, and may approve alternative materials or methods when code compliance is demonstrated.

Blower door threshold

In the 2021 residential provisions, tested air leakage must not exceed 5 ACH50 in climate zones 3 through 8 or 6 ACH50 in zones 1 and 2.

Fenestration U-factor

Fenestration U-factor limits vary by climate zone and window type; lower U-factors indicate better insulation and are shown in the adopted code's envelope table.

SHGC

Solar heat gain coefficient measures solar radiation admitted through fenestration; limits by climate zone control cooling loads, and lower values admit less solar heat.

Continuous insulation

Continuous insulation is uninterrupted by framing and is often required on walls or roofs to reduce thermal bridging; its R-value is counted in assembly calculations.

Manual J sizing

Residential heating and cooling equipment must be sized using ACCA Manual J or an approved equivalent load calculation, not by rule of thumb.

Duct leakage test

Duct systems must be pressure-tested to the adopted leakage limit, commonly 4 cfm per 100 square feet of conditioned floor area, unless ducts and air handler are inside conditioned space.

Whole-house ventilation

The code requires a whole-house mechanical ventilation system sized per ASHRAE 62.2 or an approved method to provide outdoor air and exhaust pollutants.

Duct insulation

Ducts located outside conditioned space must be insulated to the R-value required by the adopted duct insulation table, with higher R-values often required in attics.

Water heater efficiency

New water heaters must meet federal minimum efficiency or the adopted code table for their fuel type and storage volume; ratings are verified through AHRI or manufacturer data.

Hot water pipe insulation

Hot water piping from the water heater and piping in unconditioned spaces must be insulated to the code-required R-value to reduce standby heat loss.

Circulating hot water controls

Circulating hot water systems require automatic controls that turn off circulation when hot water is not needed, and the circulation loop must be insulated.

Pool cover requirement

Heated pools must have a vapor-retardant cover or other approved means to reduce evaporation and heat loss when the pool is not in use.

Lighting efficacy

Lighting efficacy is measured in lumens of light output per watt of input power; higher efficacy means more light for the same electricity use.

Solar-ready pathway

Where solar-ready provisions apply, a designated roof area and a continuous conduit pathway from the roof to the electrical service panel must be provided.

Exterior lighting control

Exterior lighting must be controlled by an automatic time switch, photocell, or other approved control so it operates only when needed.

EV-ready capacity

Electric vehicle-ready provisions require reserved electrical capacity and a branch-circuit pathway at designated parking spaces for future EV charging equipment.

High-efficacy lighting

High-efficacy lighting includes LED and other lamps meeting the adopted efficacy threshold; a minimum percentage of permanent fixtures must contain such lamps.

Federal appliance standards

Refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes washers, and similar appliances must meet federal minimum efficiency standards, which preempt less stringent state requirements.

EnergyGuide label

The EnergyGuide label displays estimated annual energy use or cost for an appliance, allowing comparison, but it is not itself a code compliance path.

Pool pump controls

Pool pumps and heaters must have controls such as timers or automatic shutoff, and some adopted codes require variable-speed pumps for larger pool systems.

Prescriptive compliance path

The prescriptive path requires each envelope, mechanical, water heating, and lighting component to meet its individual table or section requirement without overall trade-offs.

Performance compliance path

The performance path uses approved software to show that the proposed dwelling's annual energy cost is no greater than the standard reference design.

ERI compliance path

The Energy Rating Index path requires a certified rater to calculate an ERI score; the score must be no higher than the adopted climate-zone threshold.

Total UA alternative

The total UA alternative permits trade-offs among envelope assemblies when the proposed building's overall heat loss coefficient does not exceed the code baseline.

ASHRAE 62.2

ASHRAE 62.2 is the referenced standard for residential ventilation and indoor air quality, used to size whole-house and local exhaust ventilation.

ACCA Manual D

ACCA Manual D is the referenced method for sizing residential duct systems based on the air handler airflow and room-by-room load calculations.

Existing building alterations

Alterations and additions to existing dwellings must comply with the energy code provisions for the work area; unaltered portions generally need not be upgraded unless the code says so.

Alternative materials approval

The building official may approve alternative materials, designs, or methods when they meet the code's intent and performance requirements through accepted test data.