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Issue 12, Volume 2

December 23, 2004

IECC 2000, 2003, 2004: A Comparison
By Donney Dorton

   The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC, pronounced hiIEEEEEee see see by my good Cajun friend) has been published in more than one edition. The 2000 IECC as amended by the 2001 Supplement has been adopted as the minimum residential code for the State of Texas and is being considered by other states as well.  Many municipalities have considered adopting the 2003 IECC as their minimum code for residential buildings. With the introduction of the IECC 2004 Supplement, there are even more options for municipalities to explore for minimum code requirements. So how do the three codes differ in their insulation and component requirements for a residential home?

     In this brief discussion let us narrow our focus to the components in the codes that will most affect the ENERGY STAR score and the ENERGY STAR code compliance score in the Dallas area.  The following table gives the major components used in an ENERGY STAR rating and compares the requirements for each code.

	Values for the Dallas Area
	IECC 2000 with 2001 Supplement	IECC 2003	2004 Supplement	Units
Slab Perimeter	0	0	0	R
Above Grade Wall	13	13	15	R
Ceiling	30	30	30	R
Glazing U	.52	.52	.65	U
Glazing SHGC	.4	.4	.4	U
Frame Floor	19	19	19	R
Duct Supply Attic	8	8	8	R
Duct Return Attic	4	4	8	R
AC SEER	10	10	Min Fed Standard	SEER
Furnace AFUE	78%	78%	80%	AFUE

   As you will note from the table there is no change in components from the IECC 2000 (amended by the 2001 Supplement) to the 2003 IECC.  The State of Texas in Senate Bill 5 known as the Texas Trade Off, allows builders to use R-6 ducts by compensating with a 12 SEER Air Conditioner.  The changes come with the IECC 2004 Supplement. The 2004 Supplement’s window glazing of U=.65 is less stringent than the 2000 & 2003 code of U=.52.  Texas law states that Texas cities cannot adopt a code that is less stringent than IECC 2000.  It would appear that Texas will need more legislation addressing the less stringent glazing if they ever adopt IECC 2004.  Also notice that in the 2004 supplement the AFUE on the furnace went up to 80%.   An interesting development in the 2004 Supplement is in the AC SEER minimum.  The Supplement defers the SEER minimum standard to the current minimum Federal Standard, which is currently 10 SEER and scheduled to go to 13 SEER in January 2006.

 All this discussion about different codes reminds me of the time I tried to insulate my attic by code book. The dad-gum inspector said he didn’t care how many code books I had stacked in the attic, he wouldn’t count them as insulation (hiIEEEEEee!).

Do Consultant’s Cost You Money?
by Tim K. Garrison

   Whatever consultant you want to talk about — engineer, architect, accountant, you name it — their number-one job should be to save you money. But consultants don’t work for free, so how can they actually save money? Allow me to illustrate.
   A client of mine, we’ll call him Mister Eggplant, is building a large, lakefront home. His architect, Mrs. Radish, designed the most inefficient, expensive stained concrete deck imaginable. The elaborate structural system consisted of plywood, torch-down membrane, wood I-joists, beams, posts and footings. When it came to me for engineering, I immediately asked why we couldn’t simply use a composite metal deck. There was no good answer, so that is precisely what I designed, saving Mister Eggplant thousands.
   Now, I could have easily put on my blinders and analyzed the original deck. My fee would have been about the same either way. But, I am by nature a cheapskate, so I try to save money whenever I can. And I don’t care whose money it is: mine, yours, Red Robin’s (I constantly hound my kids to use only as many paper towels as they really need.)
     Let’s examine the bigger picture. What exactly is a consultant anyway? Isn’t it someone with specialized knowledge or experience who performs tasks someone else doesn’t have the time for? In general, most of us are smart enough to do most things in the construction industry if we’re given enough time to learn them. I don’t view consultants as smarter than anyone else, they’re just specialized in a particular area. I’m sure lots of builders could also be engineers or architects or accountants if they really wanted to. In fact, many would be superior at these occupations because they actually understand the real world — where the rubber meets the road.

It is amazing how much money a bad consultant can cost you. Here are a few examples:
   It is a consultant’s job to stay current with the latest industry trends in their area of expertise. A consultant still rooted in the '70s or '80s will probably cost you money by recommending antiquated methods or materials.
   Bad consultants are often too slow or too fast. Too slow causes ripples of delay up and down the project chain. Too fast is only a problem if it’s also too sloppy or not thorough, in which case re-do’s will occur, again, causing delays. Delays anger clients, costing you future business. Also, if borrowed money is being used, delays cost real dollars burning interest.
   Bad consultants don’t really get it. Sure, they may be book-smart, but if they don’t really understand the nuts and bolts of what you do and how you do it, they won’t likely get it right. Mistakes cost by a factor of three: doing, undoing and redoing.
   Bad consultants don’t keep up with current laws and ordinances. There really is no excuse for not knowing the rules. I understand that even the rule enforcers don’t always know their own rules, but a good consultant will not only know the most current rules, but also how the local jurisdiction interprets and enforces them.
   If you haven’t guessed where this is leading, here it is: Builders, too, are consultants. It just happens that their occupation involves a lot more field work than their white-collar counterparts.
   The upshot is this. First, if you are a builder, don’t use bad consultants. They’ll cost you time and money and cause knuckle-pounding frustration. Second, keep in mind that you, yourself, are a consultant. Make sure to provide your clients the best value possible. When they ask for bone-headed things, politely point out something more cost-effective. After all, isn't it truly a consultant's job to save money?

"Tim K. Garrison, P.E. of ConstructionCalc.com has authored books and short courses,
and lectures on topics relevant to builders. Got a technical or management issue? Email Tim at buildersengineer@constructioncalc.com Tim reads every one.
This article has been reprinted with permission from the author."

Inspector’s Corner
By: David B. Walker – National Operations Director

“Our Goals for 2005”

    The year 2004 has almost found its end, and this is the time we begin to reflect on the things we have accomplished and things we would like to improve. I have found that many people make what are called “resolutions”. This word basically means that a person is expressing the intent to settle and solve a conflict or problem they desire to change.
   Though I am not a fan of making resolutions, I do know that without setting goals that line up with the resolve – the resolve only becomes the substance of a broken promise. A goal must be set in order to map, track, and adjust the effort used to reach the intended outcome.
     I challenge the operations department this time every year to do a “self-inspection” in order to identify their weaknesses and their strengths. The strengths are the things that carry over to the next year. They are the reason success has been achieved in the first place. However, the weaknesses become the reason for the need to change. It isn’t always easy to expose your own weaknesses, but it is necessary in order to become the best at what you do.
     For all of our strengths, there are a few weak areas we have decided to work diligently towards in order to continue our great service to you. As we slowly come to the end of this year, I felt as though giving you a brief look into our goals would allow you the comfort of knowing that our number one goal will always be to serve you - our valued customer.
   Here are some of our goals for the coming year specific to you, and a brief way we have decided to accomplish them.

1). COMMUNICATION – Even though we believe our efforts here are not necessarily weak, we feel that improvement in this area is always needed. We want to continue to build relationships with our builders. Not just by cell-phone, but more face-to-face conversations. Believe it or not, this also includes our penmanship. How can we help you if we can’t communicate it to you in writing?

2). CONSISTENCY – With new ideas and new information being discovered in the Building Science industry, oftentimes we may find changes occurring in the midst of the stream. We must be able to implement these changes into the routine of construction without creating an atmosphere where inconsistency is observed. We need to always be sensitive to the needs of the builder without compromising what is right and necessary.

3). INCREASE OUR BUILDING SCIENCE KNOWLEDGE – Guaranteed Watt Saver sends more of its employees to continued educational seminars, trainings and courses than any other company. These are great opportunities, but we realize that the only way you become better is to strengthen each link of the chain on a consistent basis. Each month we will focus on a certain aspect of Building Science diagnostics. We have also revamped our continuing educational training by adding as much “in-field” instruction as we have done in the classroom. We also have marked goals for each technician including the necessary certifications that will advance us into new fields of Building Science.

4). CUSTOMER SERVICE – No matter how well you think you provide service to your customer base, improvement in this area is always needed. We are adding more services to expand our already vast list of diagnostic testing protocol. The ultimate goal here is to help you create the best product you can offer your customers. The more pertinent information you have, the greater the chance you have of satisfying the end user – the homeowner.

5). INFORMATION – We want to become your “one-stop” source for information concerning any issue or situation you have. As stated above, we are increasing our capabilities diagnostically in order to help you solve any issue that pertains to performance of your product. We have just completed the development of our “Infrared-Scan” department. With our new equipment, we are able to achieve a new level of research and trouble-shooting. One way we can keep you informed is by continuously searching for the latest products with which we can serve you. Not only providing the service, but becoming the best at providing the service and information in an expeditious way.

   As you can see, the ultimate goal is always directly associated with “you”, our valued customer. We want the next year to be as productive for you as we wish and desire for ourselves. If you would like more information concerning these goals, or would like to know more about some of our new diagnostic capabilities, just give us a call @ 888-488-0206. From all of the inspectors, managers and our corporate office, we would like to extend our best wishes to you during this wonderful holiday season. It is our sincere hope that you also meet your expected goals, and that 2005 is as productive and prosperous as you plan for it to be.

Announcements...

Attention Builders:
The 2005 RESNET Building Performance Conference is upon us.  The conference is scheduled for February 28 through March 2, and will be held at Plaza San Antonio.  This year’s theme is “Prospering in Changing Times” and will include an ENERGY STAR Builders Track.  The sessions offered within this track are as follows...

 “A New Environment for Builders” - changes to IECC
“Giving Credit to Quality Installation”
“Home Energy Ratings and Green Buildings” - USGBC & LEED
“Where Do We Go From Here?” - energy efficiency tax credits
“What it All Means” - changes to the rating score in 2006
“Let the Word Go Forth” - marketing
“New Business Opportunities with ENERGY STAR”
“Selling a Higher Quality Home”
“Defining Adding of Value Rating Services to Builders”
“Zero-Energy Homes Performance”

For more information, go to the RESNET site at www.natresnet.org
We hope to see you there!

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