Type of Building Code

Type of Building Code

• Cooling Based
• Prescriptive Codes
• Trade Off

  Total building envelope UA (U-factor multiplied by area). This is the path predominantly used by the REScheckTM software. Based on the prescriptive U-factor table, it allows trade-offs whereby some energy-efficiency measures can fall below code requirements if balanced by other measures that exceed code requirements.

• Performance Codes for Refurbishments
• Performance Codes for New Builds
• Energy Declaration
• Model / reference Building

  Simulated performance (requires software programs). This path allows compliance if the home has a calculated annual energy consumption (or energy cost) equal to or less than that of a standard reference design that just meets the code’s prescriptive requirements. The method requires that heating, cooling and hot water system loads are included in the calculation. Renewable energy measure can now be included in this calculation.Called, the Total Building Performance method for commercial buildings.

• Mix of different models / Hybrids

Energy Covered

Basis for Energy Requirements

• Overall performance frame
• Final Energy

  Austin Energy primarily uses 'site' energy for its calculations.

• Primary Energy
• Life Cycle Assessment considered (embedded energy)

Energy Uses and Functions Covered by the Code

• Heating

  General precriptive equipment sizing and efficiency requirements. Documentation verifying the methodology and accuracy of heating equipment sizing shall be submitted with final mechanical code compliance package. In all residential buildings and mixed use buildings where the dwelling is in excess of 500 square feet, the primary source of space heating may not be electric resistence.

• Cooling

  General precriptive equipment sizing and efficiency requirements. Documentation verifying the methodology and accuracy of cooling equipment sizing shall be submitted with final mechanical code compliance package.

• Dehumidification
• Ventilation

  General precriptive equipment sizing and efficiency requirements. Local amendment carries many increased requirements applicable to ventilation systems; Sealing and testing of air distribution systems for leakage, Balancing of air distribution system, Pressure differentials, System static pressure, Multifamily building batch testing, Filtration for air distribution systems.

• Airtightness

  Only residential - Testing of the building thermal envelope for infiltration.  Leakage of the building thermal envelope shall not exceed Seven (7) Air Changes per Hour (ACH) when tested with a blower door at a pressure of 50 Pascals. 

• Thermal bridging

  Some requirements for Commercial buildings, including continuous insulation. No linear value required at this stage.

• Hot water

  Specific requirements, electric heaters minimum 93% efficiency insulation levels, Automation and insulation of HW circulation systems is required and IECC requirements. Electric timers required for electric water heaters in multi-family residential buildings.

• Technical installations
• Lighting

  A minimum of 90% of indoor lamps shall be high efficiency or the total connected lighting power must not exceed 0.6 watts per squear foot of interior space.

• Appliances

  No direct requirements.

• Design, position & orientation of building

  No direct requirements.

• Heat recovery

  Partially, requirements for heat recovery systems within heating of service hot water for large facilities running 24 hours a day. Other systems are covered by the IECC requirements

• Passive solar
• Passive cooling
• Natural ventilation

  Partially, no mandatory requirements but it is encouraged. If an engineer chooses, he can comply with ventilation requirements via ASHRAE 62.1 and that code does allow for more accuracy based upon actual building characteristics and we encourage its use. For homes, we try and limit leaky envelopes as much as possible and that work is leading to more attention paid to ventilation but it’s still a relatively new thing for residential.

• Solar protection

  Partially, radiant barrier requirements for roofs but not walls, however SHGC and projection factors for windows are addressed through the code.

• Daylighting requirements

  Daylight zoning requirements.

• Renewable Energy (solar, PV, others)

  Partially, no mandatory requirements but it is encouraged.

• Local renewable sources
• Energy Offsets/Green Certificates

Enforcement

Type of Enforcement

• Local enforcement
  Planning, Review and Development Department (PDRD) undertakes the plan and specification review permit process and onsite inspections.
• Third party inspection
  Third party testing is well established in Austin. For example, Airflow testing shall be performed by an independent third party technician approved by the building official, batch testing now no longer allowed.
• Central enforcement
• Accreditation of applicants
• Post Occupancy control
  Energy audits are required for all residential and multi-family homes after construction and before homes are sold. Audits are good for 10 years.

On-site Inspections Occur

• On-site inspections
• During construction
• Post completion
  Inspections are undertaken to assess the building envelope and the efficiency of technical systems installed.
• Post occupancy

Certification to Support Enforcement of Code

• Energy Performance Certificate support BC
• Positive labeling for building beyond the minimum BC level
  Austin Energy Green Building Program (AEGB) has a number of certification schemes for different types of buildings; AEGB Single-Family Rating System, the AEGB Multi-family Rating System and the AEGB Commercial Rating System. All based on a 5-Star rating system, 5 being the most efficient. U.S. Green Building Council -Central Texas Chapter
• Existence of EPC register database at national level
• Inspection of boilers
  Mechanical systems completion inspections for new buildings of less than 10,000 gross square feetarerequired. Prior to passing the final mechanical inspection, the design professional shall provide evidence of system completion.
• Inspection of HVAC systems
  Mechanical systems completion inspections for new buildings of less than 10,000 gross square feetarerequired. Prior to passing the final mechanical inspection, the design professional shall provide evidence of system completion.

Penalties for Non-compliance

• None
• Fine
• Imprisonment
• Refusal of permission to occupy
  The main enforcement tool is controlling when a building permit is issued and when a Certificate of Occupancy is issued at the end of construction. Similar to IECC and ASHRAE.
• Refusal of permission to construct
  The main enforcement tool is controlling when a building permit is issued and when a Certificate of Occupancy is issued at the end of construction. Similar to IECC and ASHRAE.
• Demolition

Measures Supporting Enforcement

• Commissioning requirements
  Significant commissioning requirements including submittal of a pre-design form, testing results and final report.
• Airtightness testing required prior to compliance
  Only for residential buildings
• Mandatory Computer Modeling
  Available but not mandatory.
• Training of Inspectors
  An “energy code discussion” is held once a quarter wherein, the commercial plan reviewers and the commercial inspectors get together for a couple of hours and talk about the finer points of the energy code.
• Other

Values for New Buildings

Code History and Future Targets

• Are stakeholders informed of future targets far in advance?

  Yes
  Are stakeholders informed of future targets far in advance Note

  Stakeholders are involved and informed in the development of the code.

Zero Energy Targets

• Definition of nZEB/ZEB/Plus Energy etc
• Are all end uses considered in the target?

  Only residential buildings.

• Is there a realistic roadmap towards ZEB
• National Target date for nZEB
• Special Requirements for public buildings

Supporting Measures

• Incentives/Rewards to Encourage People to go beyond Minimum Level?
• Involvement of Stakeholders in the Development of Codes
• Level of Training Provided to Stakeholders Following Implementation of Code?
• Provision of Appropriate Information for General Public
• Supporting Certification Schemes
• Codes Free to Access?

  Yes.