Report Card on Kansas City Final Hearing on the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)

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Last week the Final Hearing of the 2018 IECC took place in Kansas City.  Working with HERS Raters and its strategic allies, RESNET was able to achieve a number of key successes.  The following are the key 2018 IECC provisions to the industry that made it through the hearings:
RE173-16
RE173-16 was proposed by the Leading Builders of America and modifies the Energy Rating Index option by raising scores by 5 to 8 points (depending on climate zone).  The original Leading Builders of America proposal was modified to require homes that use on-site power must meet the mandatory envelope requirements of the 2015 IECC.
The modified proposal attracted a broad base of support from:
  • North American Insulation Manufacturers Association
  • Leading Builders of America
  • RESNET
  • National Association of Home Builders
  • ACC Center for the Polyurethanes Industry
  • Extruded Polystyrene Foam Association
  • Foam Sheathing Coalition
  • Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers
  • Trane
  • Solar Energy Industries Association
  • Natural Resources Defense Council
  • Energy Efficient Codes Coalition
  • American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
  • Building Codes Assistance Project
  • Institute for Market Transformation

The proposal was approved unanimously.

Because RE173-2016 was amended at the hearing, a 2/3rds vote for approval will be required on the final electronic balloting by code officials and governmental representatives.
RE166-16
This proposal was submitted by RESNET.  It would have the ANSI/RESNET/ICC Standard 301 define how the Energy Rating Index score is calculated.  The RESNET proposal was modified on the floor by inserting a formula for calculating ventilation.  Since it was amended at the hearing, a 2/3rds vote for approval will be required on the final electronic ballot.
RE83-16
This proposal was also submitted by RESNET.  It would have the 2018 IECC requirement for blower door testing be defined by the ANSI/RESNET/ICC Standard 380.  This was adopted without an amendment and hence will only require a simple majority at the final electronic vote.
RE104-16
This was also proposed by RESNET.  It would have the 2018 IECC requirement for duct leakage testing be based on the ANSI/RESNET/ICC Standard 380.  The original proposal was voted down at the committee hearing in April.  RESNET modified the standard and it was adopted as amended.  Since it was amended at the final hearing a 2/3rds vote for approval will be required on the final electronic vote.
RESNET has published factsheets on the two ANSI standards.  They are:

Positive Change Requires Positive Action

These key proposals will be voted on electronically by code officials and governmental representatives in November.  It will be an uphill climb to secure the required 2/3rds vote.  The industry’s voice must be heard to preserve the progress achieved in Kansas City.  RESNET will be preparing a call of action for the industry to contact the code officials that they work with.