Huntsville Madison County Builders Association
Madison County Implementation of the 2009 IRC / IECC Energy Code Presented by: Huntsville Madison County Builders Association Green Building Council
Today’s Outline:
Introduction Involvement / Disclaimer What it was: – History of Energy Code in Alabama What it is: – Statewide Process (ADECA and AERCB) – Local Efforts toward Implementation What it shall be: – Current Process for Implementation Closing / Summary Questions "Madison County Energy Code Implementation" 2
Why is HMCBA Involved? Huntsville Madison County Builders Association Board of Directors - Governmental Affairs - Green Building Council
Desire to create a simplified and unified jurisdictional approach for mandatory implementation as required by State law for the residential home builder.
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Presentation Disclaimer: What it is NOT - This is NOT a technical presentation of HOW TO implement the actual provisions of the 2009 IRC / IECC Energy Code. - Implementation procedures and processes have been actively taught by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), for the last 18 months, across the state, as well as other sources such as Southface, and local resources. - SEEK out educational training opportunities that are still available for knowledge on how to implement energy considerations in your projects BEFORE the implementation date in Madison County of January 1, 2014. "Madison County Energy Code Implementation" 4
Presentation Disclaimer: What it IS - This IS a presentation of the history of the energy code implementation on a statewide level and WILL review the local implementation efforts in Madison County. - It WILL present the Madison County process for implementation of the 2009 IRC / IECC in residential new construction projects in all three jurisdictional inspecting authorities (Madison County, City of Huntsville, City of Madison).
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History of the Energy Code in Alabama
It all started with the federal stimulus program of 2009 "Madison County Energy Code Implementation" 6
History of the Energy Code in Alabama In March 2009, the request and certification of ARRA funds to be used by the State of Alabama was made by Governor Riley. Certification made for economic growth and job creation.
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History of the Energy Code in Alabama As part of the ARRA of 2009, the language of the acceptance of funding states that “......State Legislature consider activities to improve building energy codes, consistent with State law....and to consider the statutory language contained in the ARRA.� The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) was tasked with implementation of the energy considerations of the statutory language. "Madison County Energy Code Implementation" 8
History of the Energy Code in Alabama
$3B total funding from the ARRA, of which $400M for programs including energy efficiency.
Programs provided for in energy efficiency spelled out to be administered by state agencies including a review and approval process I.e (ADECA). Source: stimulus.alabama.gov "Madison County Energy Code Implementation" 9
History of the Energy Code in Alabama Receipt of energy funds ($150M) from the ARRA required the MANDATORY adoption of a state wide energy code within 8 years of the receipt date (i.e. 2017) and 'significant training and education' toward implementation. It also requires regular reporting and updates to the federal government on use of ARRA funds toward those implementation goals.
Summary: Since the State of Alabama accepted the ARRA funding, this triggered the discussion about the state energy code, and the path to adoption and implementation on a state wide scale. Unless the State delivers the $150M back to the federal government, this process and code is here to stay. Source: stimulus.alabama.gov "Madison County Energy Code Implementation" 10
Authority of the Alabama Energy and Residential Codes Board (AERCB) CHAPTER 305-2-4 (Administrative Code of the AERCB) ORGANIZATION AND AUTHORITY The Residential Energy Codes Board of Alabama was originally created under the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affair's area of responsibility. Governor Fob James signed Act 95-537 creating the Board for the purpose of promoting and overseeing the implementation of the Model Energy Code by encouraging the conservation and efficient use of residential energy resources within this state's local jurisdictions; encouraging and promoting the acceptance, adoption and implementation of residential model energy codes; advising and assisting local governments in adopting and implementing those model energy codes and identifying and promoting energy management technologies. In 2010 Governor Bob Riley signed Act 2010-185 increasing the representation of Board members and renaming the Board the Alabama Energy and Residential Codes Board (Board), and expanding the Board's authority with respect to all matters pertaining to the acceptance, adoption and implementation of commercial and residential energy codes and residential building codes by municipal and county governments in the state. These acts as amended are codified in Title 41, Chapter 23, Article 5 of the Code of Alabama, 1975. Energy Code Implementation" "Madison County 11
ADECA: Statewide Authority to Administer the Energy Code
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Statewide Energy Code What It Is Important
Remember these Dates "Madison County Energy Code Implementation" 13
Statewide Energy Code What It Is ARRA Mandate Adoption date No enforcement authority "Madison County Energy Code Implementation" 14
Local Authority Granted
Statewide Energy Code What It Is
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Why is it important to have continuity with code officials? - Saves time, money, effort and energy. - Makes the process easier, difficult enough already. - Reduces confusion as to how to build in each locale. - Keeps local builders in compliance with statewide codes. "Madison County Energy Code Implementation" 16
What It Is.....Local Implementation Efforts Since 10/1/2012 Statewide code was adopted, and implementation date set of 10/1/2012. This meant ALL builders MUST comply to this state law as of 10/1/2012 whether it is inspected or not by the local code official. If not, then a violation of state law. Leaves builders / owners in state of confusion as to how to comply. City of Madison – 2009 IECC, 4/2010 County of Madison – 2003 IRC / 10/1/2012 City of Huntsville – 2003 IRC / 10/1/2012 "Madison County Energy Code Implementation" 17
What It Is.....Local Implementation Efforts Since 10/1/2012 Huntsville Madison County Builders Association (HMCBA), that represents 1000 members in the local building trade including 150 builder members, became engaged in 4Q2012 working with local code officials to work through the implementation variations between municipalities. By the end of 1Q2013, all three were implementing and interpreting differently in each jurisdiction. It was crucial to find common ground for implementation. Implementation by prescriptive, UA Alternative Path, and Performance Path were being used by builders and owners during this time. "Madison County Energy Code Implementation" 18
Huntsville Utilities New Homes Program Purpose •
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CREATION OF A VIRTUAL POWER PLANT ● (Less expensive than nuclear) ENERGY SAVINGS ONLY ● (Does not include additional green building issues) SOLUTION FOR THE PRESCRIPTIVE METHOD ● (Allows for builder choice) VERIFIABLE SAVINGS ● (Nationally recognized software and process) "Madison County Energy Code Implementation" 19
Huntsville Utilities New Homes Program Tenents •
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REQUIRES A HERS SCORE OF 85 OR LESS ● (15% Better than model home) REQUIRES A ROUGH-IN INSPECTION ● (Thermal bypass checklist) REQUIRES A BLOWER DOOR TEST ● (Proves less than 7 ACH) REQUIRES A DUCT BLASTER TEST ● (Proves 6 CFM/100 S.F. or less) REQUIRES A THIRD PARTY VERIFICATION ● (HERS Provider) CERTIFICATION LEVEL IS ENERGY RIGHT PLATINUM ● ( = Energy Star 2.0 ) "Madison County Energy Code Implementation" 20
Huntsville Utilities New Homes Program Advantages •
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AN ESTABLISHED PROGRAM ● (Can be implemented quickly) TVA FUNDED ● (Brings federal money into Madison County) BUILDERS CHOICE ● (Computer modeling allows for easy comparisons) EASILY MODIFIED IN THE FUTURE ● (Currently 15% above model home)
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What It Is.....Local Implementation Efforts Since 10/1/2012 As a small step toward simplifying the process, in April of 2013, HMCBA presented to the AERCB a process of energy code compliance for acceptance as a baseline for all Madison County jurisdictions to implement. Approval was granted for the Huntsville Utilities New Homes Program. On average 750-1000 homes in Madison County use this program. Additionally in April, the City of Huntsville and County of Madison were not requiring compliance to "Madison County Energy Code Implementation" 22the energy code.
What It Is.....Local Implementation Efforts Since 10/1/2012 From June to August, HMCBA worked with the local jurisdictions to clarify the paths of compliance that would be accepted. Agreements were reached to accept the following: - UA/Trade Off and Performance Path - Huntsville Utilities New Homes Program Local jurisdictions do not have a prescriptive path, and all pathways of compliance per the above, would be by 3 rd Party verification. ** First time that all three code jurisdictions have ever been “on the same page� with inspections, and only county in the State that has this process adopted for compliance to the energy code. "Madison County Energy Code Implementation" 23
What It Is.....Local Implementation Efforts Since 10/1/2012
HMCBA Board of Directors Approved Implementation Plan July 2013 "Madison County Energy Code Implementation" 24
What It Is.....Local Implementation Efforts Since 10/1/2012
HMCBA Board of Directors Approved Implementation Plan July 2013 "Madison County Energy Code Implementation" 25
What It Is.....Local Implementation Efforts Since 10/1/2012 Press Conference announcing process attended by local leaders and inspection departments on September 27, 2013
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What It Will Be: The Process - Effective date to be January 1, 2014 - Only applies to New Residential Construction in Madison County, and for those areas of the City of Huntsville and Madison that lie in Limestone County - Simple three step process for compliance
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What It Will Be: The Process STATE OF ALABAMA ENERGY CODE COMPLIANCE Effective Date: 1-1-2014 The 2009 IRC/IECC Code is mandatory by the State of Alabama and compliance is required for new residential construction by the inspection departments of the City of Huntsville, the City of Madison, and Madison County. Inspection jurisdictions within Madison County will accept two paths of state energy code compliance, a) Compliance through REScheck or REMRate and credentialed verifier, or b) Huntsville Utilities/TVA Energy Right Platinum Certification Program. The builder will choose one of these two paths. Both paths require certification through a credentialed third party energy verification contractor. Energy verifiers must possess either BPI or HERS rater"Madison credentials. County Energy Code Implementation" 28
What It Will Be: The Process THREE STEP PROCESS: ONE (Prior to Building Start): Contact a verification energy contractor with a BPI or HERS rater credential, or Huntsville Utilities Energy Department to develop a plan for energy efficiency before construction begins. (Contact Information is found below). TWO (At Rough In Stage): Obtain a document from your chosen energy verifier to confirm rough-in compliance to the State of Alabama energy code. This document must include the following: 1) BPI or HERS rater name, date, signature, and current certification number 2) Name of builder 3) Address of new construction 4) Energy Rough In Compliance approval statement. NOTE: The form must be delivered to the inspection department of jurisdiction before sheet rock work may begin. "Madison County Energy Code Implementation" 29
What It Will Be: The Process THREE (At Final Stage): If verified by an energy verification contractor, obtain a REScheck or Rem/Rate IECC-09 compliance certificate. If verified by Huntsville Utilities, obtain an energy rating certificate compliant to the Energy Right Platinum certification standard. Deliver the certification document to the inspection departmen of jurisdiction when complete. NOTE: This document must be delivered before a certificate of occupancy can be provided. For Huntsville Utilities’ Energy Dept. Email energy@hsvutil.org or call 256-535-1485 For local energy verification contractor information: Contact the Huntsville Madison County Builders Association at 256-5362602 www.buildersassn.org or see these websites: www.resnet.us or www.bpi.org for a list of energy verification contractors. "Madison County Energy Code Implementation" 30
Closing / Summary
State Energy Code is here to stay. Period. Local Implementation will be effective January 1, 2014 It is not a 'perfect' system, however it will provide easy energy compliance for builders and owners at all levels of the building experience. All three jurisdictions will follow this process. This should be a model for statewide collaboration. Seek out those that are knowledgeable in energy implementation to assist you in your project. Get training, and education before implementation begins. "Madison County Energy Code Implementation" 31