The most significant change in the 2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Energy Code) for low-rise residential buildings is the introduction of photovoltaic (PV) requirements in the prescriptive standards. There are also significant changes related to indoor air quality requirements.
This is a summary of these and other major changes. These changes are effective January 1, 2020.
Mandatory Measures
Walls with 2x6 framing require R-20 minimum insulation for wood-framed; or 0.071 maximum U-factor. § 150.0(c)2
Modifications to the indoor air quality requirements of American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 62.2 are included for various building and dwelling unit configurations such as horizontally attached buildings, or central ventilation systems. Balanced or continuously operating supply or exhaust ventilation system required. Home Energy Rating System (HERS) verification required when kitchen range hoods are installed. § 150.0(o)
Minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) 13 air filters (or equivalent) are required for heating, cooling, and on the supply side of ventilation systems. § 150.0(m)12
Fan efficacy requirements are 0.45 watts/cubic feet per minute (CFM) or less for gas furnace air-handling units; or 0.58 watts/CFM or less for air-handling units that are not gas furnaces. New fan efficacy requirement for small-duct high-velocity forced-air systems. § 150.0(m)13B, C, D
Prescriptive Compliance
New PV solar electric generation requirement. § 150.1(c)14
New prescriptive Table 150.1-B for multifamily buildings. § 150.1(c)
Wall U-factors in climate zones 1-5 and 8-16 reduced to 0.048 maximum in single-family buildings; climate zones 6-7 remain at 0.065 maximum. § 150.1(c)1B
Increase in baseline ceiling insulation. Above roof deck prescriptive option has been removed, and the below roof deck rigid insulation requirement has increased from R-13 to R-19. § 150.1, Table 150.1-B
New exterior door U-factor 0.20 maximum and National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) labeling requirements. § 150.1(c)5, § 110.6(a)5
Glass Fenestration Maximum U-Factor decreases to 0.30 for all climate zones. Glass Fenestration Maximum SHGC decreases to 0.23 in CZ 2, 4, 6-15. § 150.1(c)3A
Doors with 25% or more glass are now treated as Glass Fenestration (currently it is 50% or more). § 150.1(c)5
Quality insulation installation (QII) for all single-family buildings in all climate zones, and multifamily buildings in all climate zones except climate zone 7. HERS verification required. § 150.1(c)1E
New prescriptive options for heat pump water heaters for newly constructed buildings, additions, and alterations. § 150.1(c)8, § 150.2(a)1D,§ 150.2(b)1H
Performance Compliance
Compliance for newly constructed buildings is now based on a proposed energy design rating (EDR) index, where a score of 100 represents a 2006 International Energy Conservation Code compliant
building, and a score of zero represents a building that has zero net energy consumption based on the time-dependent valuation (TDV) energy consumption. The total EDR is calculated using approved
compliance software as specified by the 2019 Alternative Calculation Method Approval Manual and includes an energy efficiency EDR, a solar electric generation and demand flexibility EDR, and the total EDR. § 150.1(b)1, § 110.1
Additions and Alterations
Changed the prescriptive requirement for continuous insulation on existing walls with wood siding; if siding is not removed, only cavity insulation is required. § 150.2(a)1
QII is not required for additions that are 700 square feet or less. § 150.2(a)1B
Roof and ceiling insulation for prescriptive additions of 700 square feet or less require R-38 minimum in climate zones 1, 11-16; or R-30 minimum in climate zones 2-10. A radiant barrier is required in climate zones 2-15. § 150.2(a)1B
Natural gas is available for newly constructed buildings if a gas service line can be connected to the site without a gas main extension. For additions, natural gas is available if a gas service line is connected to the existing building. § 100.1
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References
EnergyCodeAce - Title 24, Part 6 (Where We're Headed with 2019 Standards) virtual training provided 2/15/2019