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Article
Misconception
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Code
Fact
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| "With
limits, permits energy calculations to be prepared
by mechanical contractors or state certified commercial
building energy raters (systems 15 tons or less)." |
This
change in the code pertains to commercial energy
code calculations only. Anyone can perform residential
energy code calculations. |
| "Permits
the use of FLA/RES-01 printout in lieu of form
600A." |
FlaRes
has been Florida's approved compliance software
since 1993. It is not in lieu of form 600A but
is the computer application of Form 600A. EnergyGauge®
FlaRes 2.0 is the current computer software authorized
for compliance by Method A of the 1997 Florida
energy code. The new 2001 Florida Building Code
will use EnergyGauge FlaRes 3.1, which is currently
available for online sale at the EnergyGauge
website. Additional information is available by
phone through the Energy
Gauge Support Office at (321) 638-1492. Section
600.3.ABC.2 of the 1997 Edition of the Florida
Energy Efficient Code for Building Construction
specifies FlaRes as the software authorized by
the State of Florida for these purposes. |
| "Provides
glass blocks may use double -pane multipliers." |
Section
601.2.A.2 in the 1997 Energy Efficiency Code for
Building Construction (the present code) explicitly
states this - This is not a change or addition. |
| "Requires
all fireplaces and wood stoves to have flues." |
All
fireplaces and wood stoves are required at the
present to have flues. The code change referenced
specifies that combustion devices, which have
flues, shall also have a damper. |
| "Duct
Leakage - The number of persons approved by the
state to conduct duct testing is very limited
(estimated 60 -150)." |
There
are presently 174 active Class 1 Energy Raters
in the State of Florida. The National Energy Raters
Association (NERA) has reported that qualified,
ethical personnel will meet any demand for duct
testing. A comprehensive, up-to-date list of Class
1 Energy Raters is also maintained online at www.fsec.ucf.edu/raterselect.htp. |
| "Further,
the equipment necessary to pressurize duct systems
to perform the test is not widely available." |
There
are at least three sources that stock duct testing
equipment. They are: The
Energy Conservatory, Infiltec
and Retrotec.
Contact information for these companies may also
be obtained from the Energy
Gauge Support Office at (321) 638-1492. |
| "Finally,
the cost of testing is estimated to be $150.00
to $300.00 per test. The typical scenario involves
at least two tests for a potential impact of $300.00
to $600.00 without considering and any additional
costs entailed in sealing the system." |
Florida's
energy Code has required duct systems to achieve
"100 % closure" for many years. The
primary difference in the 2001 Florida Building
Code is that builders will be able to gain a credit
if they demonstrate through testing that their
duct systems are substantially leak free. Since
the 2001 'baseline' home has "leaky"
duct systems, there is no code penalty if builders
choose not to test their duct systems. This new
Florida code provision mirrors the specifications
of Chapter 4, IECC 1998. |
| "AMAF
now report they have recently been advised that
the replacement for FLA/RES, Energy Gauge, will
apply a U-factor of 0.47 for windows in the Central
Climate Zone." |
EnergyGauge
FlaRes 2.0 uses 'Baseline' home U-Factors of 0.50
for all climate zones. The 2001 Florida Building
Code altered the 'baseline' home U-Factors to
bring them in line with the requirements of Table
402.1.1(2), Chapter 4, IECC 1998. Thus, the new
EnergyGauge FlaRes 3.1 'baseline' home U-Factors
are 0.47 for north and central Florida climate
zones and 0.74 for the south Florida climate zones. |
| "The
U-factor for the Central Climate Zone discussed
during the code development meetings is greatly
different than that being utilized in the Energy
Gauge Program as reported by the Florida Solar
Energy Center." |
See
the above discussion. A U-Factor difference of
0.03 between the 1997 and 2001 versions of the
code does not seem to warrant this degree of consternation.
What was "discussed" by the Energy Technical
Advisory Committee (TAC) during Florida code development
meetings was the need and desirability for the
Florida Building Code to be consistent and aligned
with Chapter 4 of the 1998 IECC. |
| "The
reported U-factor of 0.47 in the Energy Gauge
Program far exceeds those of the IECC. For the
same climate zone the IECC specifies a U-factor
of 0.65 for a building with 25% glazing area to
gross wall area; a U-factor of 0.75 for 18-20%
glazing; a U-factor of 0.90 for 15% glazing; and
permits any U-factor for 8-12% glazing to gross
exterior wall area." |
The
window U-factors used for the 'baseline' home
in the Florida Building Code exactly match the
"Standard Design" requirements of Table
402.1.1(2) of Chapter 4 of the 1998 IECC. The
statement on the left confuses IECC's Chapter
5 or Chapter 6 prescriptive component compliance
methods with its Chapter 4, whole-building performance
compliance method. Florida's "Method A"
(Form 600A) is a whole-building performance compliance
pathway and, as such, must be consistant with
Chapter 4 of the IECC 1998. |
