www.energystarhomesamerica.com

Issue 12 Volume 3

December 2005

ENERGY STAR 2006:
How it Affects You - The Short Version
by Donney Dorton
The new 2006 Energy Star National Performance Path (06ES) requirements encompass changes that are easy to see and recognize as well as many behind the scenes changes in calculation methods.  It is the Performance path that provides GWS builders with the greatest flexibility in meeting 06ES and code requirements. Following are the topics and issues related to GWS builders for 2006.

Climate Zones
   The 06ES will use the new climate zones from the IECC 2004 supplement. This puts Dallas and OKC in Climate Zone 3. Houston, San Antonio, and Austin are in Climate Zone 2. 

Reference House
   The Performance Path requires a house be compared to a reference house in order to calculate the energy savings.  The 06ES will use a new Home Energy Rating Standard (HERS) defined reference house which is more energy efficient than the current ES reference house. Builders who were barely passing the current ES may now be failing 06ES.  GWS has already begun modeling our builders’ homes with 2006 ES and providing options that will insure a passing Index of 85.

Index
   The 2006 HERS rating will be in the form of an Index.  Using the 2006 reference house as 100, and a house that uses zero purchased energy as 0, an Index can be calculated showing where the new house falls on a 0 to 100 scale. The Index will decrease by 1 point for each 1% reduction in energy consumption.  So the lower the Index the better, or the less energy the house will use. The ES passing Index for Climate Zones 1 through 5 is 85 or lower.

Expanded Index
   The 2006 HERS rating was “Expanded” to include Lights and Appliances. In 2006 the HERS Index will include the Building Envelope, Heating, Cooling, Water Heating, Lights, and Appliances.  This means that the use of ES lights, appliances, and fans can improve the HERS rating Index.

2006 ES Envelope Requirement
   The house must pass the Thermal Bypass Inspection Checklist and be signed by the HERS Rater.  One Checklist can be completed for a batch of homes using the RESNET approved sampling protocol. The items on the Checklist are things that GWS has already been inspecting for our builders.

2006 ES Ductwork Requirement
   The new duct leakage will be >=6 cfm to outdoors / 100 sf of living space.  This calculates at 6% of floor area.  This is a little tighter than has been calculated previously; however, most of our builders are within the 6% limit.

2006 ES Products Requirement
   A new requirement specifying that each 06ES home must include at least one of three ES qualified product options. The options are;

• ES Heating (80 AFUE) or Cooling (14SEER) equipment, OR
• ES windows, OR
• Five or more of the following ES products;
• ES Light Fixtures
• ES Appliances (dishwashers, Refrigerators, washers)
• ES Ceiling Fans with Lighting Fixtures and/or ES Ventilation Fans

Right Sizing Requirement for Cooling Equipment
   Item 7 of the ES Performance Path Notes states “Cooling equipment shall be sized according to the latest edition of ACCA Manual J …”  GWS already provides Manual J Edition 8 Load Calculations for our clients to meet this requirement. The Notes also state that the maximum oversize limit is 15% with the flexibility to move up to the next available size. In practical terms this would be no more than a one ton over the load calculations.  IF the required load calculations are performed by the HVAC contractor the calculations are to be reviewed by the Rater.  
   This ES requirement means that the equipment will be inspected to be within one ton of the load calculations, and the 06ES Index is raised by oversized equipment.
   This one requirement could save builders thousands of dollars by not purchasing oversized equipment while making their homes function better.  GWS inspection data shows that the HVAC equipment installed in ES houses only matched the GWS Manual J8 load calculations 18% of the time in Texas during 2005.  Of the mismatches, HVAC equipment was often 2 full tons oversized.  The Right Sized requirement is an opportunity for builders to require sizing accountability from their HVAC contractors.
   Builders needing to upgrade their Builder Profile will have until July 1, 2006 to permit houses under the old ES as shown by the following timeline.  GWS will place Builders who can pass 06ES without changing their Builder Profile into 06ES beginning January 2006

1-Jan-06				1-Jul-06			1-Jan-07
				2006 Energy Star for homes permitted after July 1, 2006
Either existing Energy Star or 2006 Energy Star for;
							All homes certified under
and/or Homes permitted before July 1, 2006							2006 Energy Star

The new ES guidelines can be downloaded from http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=bldrs_lenders_raters.homes_guidelns09.

Additional Developments for 2006:
2006 Federal Tax Credit
 The Energy Policy Act of 2005 allows a $2000 credit to the builder of a new home that uses 50% less energy (for heating and cooling only) than the Standard Reference Design home as specified in the 2004 IECC.  Every home shall be independently field tested by a HERS Rater.  Minimum reporting requirements are;

• Address of the qualifying home
• All building component characteristics
• Annual energy consumption for heating and cooling
• Signature of Rater
• Name and version of software used for computations

A 50% savings over the 2004 reference is not an easy thing to achieve and may require extensive modeling and communication to find an economically acceptable combination of components and equipment.  GWS is providing builders, based on their Builder Profile and a sample plan, a preliminary evaluation of possible options to achieve the 50% savings on heating and cooling.

2006 Federal Minimum A/C SEER 13
One of the many changes for 2006 is the Federal requirement for all manufactured AC units to be 13 SEER or better.  This does not stop the installation of 10 or 12 SEER equipment as long as the house passes ES Performance Path.  ES certification will meet code requirements and allow builders and HVAC contractors to use existing stock

Texas Trade Off
There are two methods for meeting the IECC code as adopted by the state of Texas. 

The Chapter 5 Prescriptive method lists the minimum R value for each component.  It is Chapter 5 that requires R-8 ducts and gave rise to the Texas Tradeoff. The tradeoff allows 12 SEER AC to compensate for using R6 ducts.

Chapter 4 of the IECC is the Analysis method.  Chapter 4 basically says that if all the components added together of a new house has a U value equal to or better than a reference house then the house meets IECC code.  Chapter 4 Analysis provides great flexibility in compensating R-values of one component for another.  For example, better attic insulation and/or better windows can compensate for using R-6 ducts without going to a higher SEER unit.

The new Texas Tradeoff for Chapter 5 compliance as interpreted by Energy Systems Laboratory begins Jan 23, 2006 and the options are;

• 14SEER/R6 ducts, OR
• 12or13SEER/R6 ducts if AC is manufactured before 1/23/06, OR
• 13SEER/R6 ducts with improved windows, OR
• Energy Star Certification

Remember, the need for the Texas Tradeoff only affects builders using a REScheck to get a building permit and does not apply to ES, and ES will meet Texas state and municipal code compliance for permits.

Inspector’s Corner
Year-End Review
from David B. Walker - National Operations Manager
       As 2005 ends, it is always a pleasure for me to re-cap another successful campaign. Once again we have aspired to meet and exceed your expectations as well as our own. We have grown, and we have learned this year.

  With the same usual spirit, we have learned many valuable lessons, and on the way we have grown as a company. Our main mission has always been to service our customers to the best of our ability. It is in this mindset that we lifted our level of knowledge in the Building Science industry. The many conferences we have attended, as well as the training sessions we have provided are all indications of our commitment to better realize our desire and goal to be the best.

   As you have read over the last eleven articles for 2005, it is easy to see that Guaranteed Watt Saver has the vast knowledge it takes to provide quality service, education, and support. The continued educational training we have implemented, as well as the strategic protocol we have set in place has now manifested into our ability to provide multiple areas to service our customers. Each article was design specifically to increase your expanding knowledge. The topics we chose were what we felt would be valuable to you. In essence, this is another way (along with what we provide in inspections and tests) to communicate what we see as industry trends – those things that will make your homes and service better.

  This “multi-faceted” service approach is now a reality, and is the key for your continued success as well as our own. We are now able to provide services that will enable you, the builder, to broaden your own ability to ensure quality, health, safety and comfort for your customers. Air quality, trouble diagnostics, HVAC design, plan analysis, commercial analysis, and various energy inspections are to name a few. With the addition of “LEED for Homes” and “Green Building” programs, we are able to take our customers to new levels of home development and energy efficiency.

  We have also expanded our ability to work with builders on a national basis, by developing Raters across the country. Our “Rater Training” classes have expanded and 2006 appears to be another busy year for us.

  With the changes expected from the IECC code, as well as programs like “ENERGY STAR”, we have positioned ourselves to provide you with the best information and assistance necessary for your success. Your success is the main key. We believe that this success is a combination of your commitment and ours. We appreciate the quality and effort you have displayed in 2005, and look forward to working with you in 2006. In the end, we hope that working with us has been an enjoyable experience that you cherish as much as we cherish your business.

   Our goal is simple. To provide you with the quality, assistance, service, knowledge and support you deserve. If you would like more information concerning the other areas of service we can provide for you, please contact us at 888-488-0206. Or visit our Web-site, GWSSI.com.

Announcements:
2006 RESNET Building Performance Conference
The 2006 RESNET Conference theme is “Embracing the Future”. The conference will review the changes in the rating industry, discuss their implications, and explore how to position a rating business to profit from the new opportunities.
 
Februaury 27th - March 1st, 2006
Plaza San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas

For more information, please visit www.natresnet.org

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