2016 Department of Energy National Energy Codes Conference

2016 Department of Energy National Energy Codes Conference

• 2016 Department of Energy National Energy Codes Conference

• Building Energy Codes Program

• AIA Provider #: I014

• AIA Course #: EC16-M02

• March 21, 2016

Basics of using the COMcheck software, reviewing generated compliance reports, and the latest and greatest new features.

• Basics of using the COMcheck software, reviewing generated compliance reports, and the latest and greatest new features.

Can exchange files between desktop and web

• Can exchange files between desktop and web

• Log in to web
• My Projects

Red

• Red

Comments

• Comments

• Orientation (code dependent)

• Projection Factor

• Visible Transmittance

• Exemptions/Allowances

ASHRAE 90.1 (Pre-2013) Normative Appendix C Methodology for Building Envelope Trade-Off Option

• ASHRAE 90.1 (Pre-2013) Normative Appendix C Methodology for Building Envelope Trade-Off Option

• 90.1-2007/2010
• 2009/2012 IECC

• ASHRAE 90.1-2013 Appendix C has limited performance method (EnergyPlus)

• 2015 IECC Component Performance Alternative (Total UA)

New Construction:

• New Construction:

• Trade-off compliance method
• Prescriptive – Oregon only

• Addition

• Trade-off compliance method
• Prescriptive – Oregon only

• Alteration

• Prescriptive compliance

Mandatory requirements

• Mandatory requirements

• Interior/Exterior lighting power requirements

• Complies if total connected power <= lighting power allowance

Basic information about the builder and project

• Basic information about the builder and project

• Area take-offs for exterior walls, fenestration, roof/ceiling, basement walls, floors, etc.

• Insulation R-values, fenestration U-factors, etc.

• Lighting fixture details

• Heating and cooling system details

• Service water heating details

Appropriate Code

• Appropriate Code

New Construction

• New Construction

• Addition

• Alteration

Projects involve changes to or replacement of

• Projects involve changes to or replacement of

• Existing building components that are part of building envelope
• Lighting, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and water-heating equipment

• Specify only those envelope components, lighting fixtures, or mechanical systems/equipment that will exist upon completion of the project

• Alteration detail dialogs

• Specify exemptions if applicable
• Additional qualifications may be required (e.g., Window/wall ratio)

• Compliance shown as Pass/Fail for Envelope and Lighting

Efficiency Options

• Efficiency Options

• High performance power (2012/2015)
• Reduced lighting power (2012/2015)
• On-site renewable energy (2012/2015)
• High performance SWH (2015)
• Enhanced interior lighting controls (2015)
• Dedicated outdoor air system (2015)

Optional

• Optional

• Sections

• Title/Site/Permit
• Owner/Agent
• Designer/Contractor

• Included on report

Primarily impacts envelope compliance

• Primarily impacts envelope compliance

• Whole building types that describe the envelope (separating conditioned and unconditioned spaces)

• Space conditioning type

• Nonresidential
• Residential
• Semiheated (no mechanical cooling) – 90.1 only

Method determines lighting power density and allowances

• Method determines lighting power density and allowances

• Area category allows for more detailed space representation

Selected method determines lighting power densities in interior lighting and exterior lighting screens

• Selected method determines lighting power densities in interior lighting and exterior lighting screens

• based on code, method, and applications selected on the Project screen

Zone and area type determine:

• Zone and area type determine:

• Lighting power density
• Units
• Tradability

Common applications where ‘unused’ allowable power can be traded where needed (e.g., driveways and entry ways)

• Common applications where ‘unused’ allowable power can be traded where needed (e.g., driveways and entry ways)

• Based on length or area of application then summed

Less common applications that cannot be traded, “use it or lose it” (e.g., building façade lighting, ATM stations)

• Less common applications that cannot be traded, “use it or lose it” (e.g., building façade lighting, ATM stations)

Don’t have to use every assembly type

• Don’t have to use every assembly type

• Can group “like” components

• Gross area (except slab-on-grade)

• Use “Other” assembly as needed

NFRC site-built certified product

• NFRC site-built certified product

• Performance evaluated (per NFRC guidelines)

• Energy code defaults

Menu View->Glazing Requirements

• Menu View->Glazing Requirements

Cavity R-value – used for insulation placed between structural members

• Cavity R-value – used for insulation placed between structural members

• Continuous R-value – used for insulation that is continuous across the structure (e.g., rigid insulation)

• After you’ve entered building components, look at compliance result

• Look for fields with red text
• If TBD, look for missing data

Select space then Add Fixture button or Fixture Library

• Select space then Add Fixture button or Fixture Library

• Fixture library preserves frequently used fixtures for future use

• Allowed/Proposed wattage balance maintained

Linear fluorescent

• Linear fluorescent

• Compact fluorescent

• HID

• Incandescent

• Halogen

• Track lighting

• LED

• Induction

Fixture wattage (helpful hint)

• Fixture wattage (helpful hint)

• In desktop, you can right click in fixture wattage to insert a default wattage value (not available for every fixture, however)

• Fixture ID is optional

• Can associate fixture with lighting fixture schedule

• Fixture Description is optional

• Can help keep track of fixtures in the list, avoid errors and oversights, and facilitate plan review and inspections

Options menu

• Options menu

• Exemptions

• Power for exempt fixtures is omitted from the proposed wattage

• Allowances

• Allowed wattage for building increased by allowable amount

Include ALL fixtures (both exempt and non-exempt) in the project

• Include ALL fixtures (both exempt and non-exempt) in the project

• Helps clarify where exemptions have been taken and can streamline plan review and inspection

Based on code selected

• Based on code selected

• Mandatory requirements

• Exemptions

Lighting applications entered similar to interior lighting

• Lighting applications entered similar to interior lighting

• Pay attention to tradable versus non-tradable criteria.

Limited means to determine compliance

• Limited means to determine compliance

• Enter characteristics of

• HVAC system
• Plant
• Water heating

• Characteristics you select determine which requirements apply

Example of a typical duct furnace and split system

• Example of a typical duct furnace and split system

If multiple different HVAC systems and/or Plant components are used within a single building

• If multiple different HVAC systems and/or Plant components are used within a single building

• Select HVAC System or Plant button multiple times to enter more than one system

• If multiple identical systems are used within a single building

• Describe them once and use the quantity fields to indicate # present

Selection of checkboxes determines which water heating requirements apply to your building

• Selection of checkboxes determines which water heating requirements apply to your building

• If multiple different water heating systems are present

• Select Water Heating button multiple times to enter more than one component

• If multiple identical (or nearly identical) systems are present

• Describe them once and use the quantity fields to indicate # present

Water heater type

• Water heater type

• Storage water heaters
• heat and store water within the water heater for delivery on demand and
• have input rating < 4,000 Btu/hour per gallon of stored water
• Instantaneous water heaters
• have an input rating ≥ 4,000 Btu/hour per gallon of stored water
• can be electric, gas, or oil

Assists with fan power system limitations requirement

• Assists with fan power system limitations requirement

• Used to define and determine compliance of each fan system

• Once defined on Fan Systems screen, you assign them to applicable mechanical system on Mechanical screen

• Motor nameplate HP and brake HP

• Brake HP includes pressure drop credits as applicable

Ensure user is aware of applicable mandatory requirements and addresses each in the software

• Ensure user is aware of applicable mandatory requirements and addresses each in the software

• Provide better documentation for code officials

For each requirement, the user

• For each requirement, the user

• Certifies that a code requirement is
• Met
• Exempt
• or does not apply
• Notes how compliance for applicable requirements are documented

• This information is shown on the report in the “Comments/ Assumptions” column of the Inspection Checklist

File View / Print Report

• File View / Print Report

• Choices, choose any or all

• Envelope Compliance Certificate
• Interior Lighting Compliance Certificate
• Exterior Lighting Compliance Certificate
• Mechanical Compliance Certificate

• First pages are the Compliance Certificate

• Follow-on pages are the Inspection Checklists by phase of inspection

• Plan Review
• Footing/Foundation
• Rough-in
• Final

Compliance software

• Compliance software

• Compliance checklists

• Technical support

• Code notes

• Publications

• Resource guides

• Training materials www.energycodes.gov

Pam Cole

• Pam Cole

• [e-mail]

• Bob Schultz

• [e-mail]

• Building Energy Codes Program

• www.energycodes.gov

• BECP help desk

• http://www.energycodes.gov/resource-center/help-desk