Are You IECC Compliant?
A new building is full of potential – both good and bad. We know you care about the quality of your construction, and we’re here to help! We’ll take care of your building energy evaluations, and make sure your new construction project is fully up to code.
Energy codes and standards set minimum efficiency requirements for new and renovated buildings. This assures reductions in energy use and emissions. Energy codes are a subset of building codes, which establish baseline requirements and govern building construction. In addition to being up to code, your customers will enjoy being more comfortable in an energy efficient home, plus recieve the benefits of energy cost savings.
How do we Perform the Evaluation?
We rely on non-invasive, cutting-edge technology to find problem areas. Some of our testing equipment includes:
- The Blower Door– determines air exchange through the building shell. National data shows 20%-30% of a home’s energy is lost due to air infiltration.
- The Duct Blaster– up to 25% of a home’s total energy bill can be attributed to leaky duct work into unconditioned spaces.
- The Infrared Thermal Imaging Camera– identifies air leaks and missing or poorly installed insulation.
IECC Code for Blower Door Testing
R402.4.1.2 Testing. “The building or dwelling unit shall be tested and verified as having an air leakage rate not exceeding…three air changes per hour in Climate Zones 3 through 8….testing shall be conducted by an approved third party. A written report of the results of the testing shall be signed by the party conducting the test and provided to the code official.”
IECC Code for Duct Testing
R402.4.1.2 Testing.
R403.3.3 Duct Testing (Mandatory) “Ducts shall be pressure tested to determine air leakage by one of the following methods:
- Rough in test: Total leakage shall be measured with a pressure differential of 0.1 inch w.g. (25 Pa) across the system, including the manufacturer’s air handler enclosure if installed at the time of the test. All registers shall be taped or otherwise sealed during the test…The total leakage shall be less than 4 cubic feet per minute..per 100 square feet of conditioned floor area where the air handler is installed at the time of the test. Where the air handler is not installed at the time of the test, the total leakage shall be less than or equal to 3 cubic feet per minute…per 100 square feet of conditioned floor area.
- Postconstruction test: Total leakage shall be measured with a pressure differential of 0.1 inch w.g. (25 Pa) across the system, including the manufacturer’s air handler enclosure. Registers shall be taped or otherwise sealed during the test…The total leakage shall be less than 4 cubic feet per minute..per 100 square feet of conditioned floor area.”
Exception: “A duct air leakage test shall not be required where the ducts and air handlers are located entirely within the building thermal envelope.”
A written report of the results of the testing shall be signed by the party conducting the test and provided to the code official.
Get Your Blower Door Checklist
THE CODE: The building or dwelling unit shall be tested and verified as having an air leakage rate not exceeding 3 air changes per hour. Testing shall be conducted with a blower door at a pressure of 0.2 inches w.g. (50 Pascals). Testing shall be performed at any time after creation of all penetrations of the building thermal envelope.
