We’re reaching the end of 2015. New building energy codes have been introduced, but more than half of the country is still building homes to 2009 IECC or earlier — everyone but those in blue and green to the right. (Visit the Department of Energy’s EERE website for the latest map and statistics)
With the level of complexity involved in 2012, 2013 (California) and 2015 building codes, it’s much harder for trade contractors to meet performance requirements and ensure quality installations. From a design perspective, R-values are a lot higher if you choose the prescriptive path, and the performance path is more difficult to navigate. Houses also have to be a lot tighter, with a greater number of areas to be sealed, much lower air exchange rates to achieve, and mandatory visual inspections and pressure testing. At the same time, issues with framing labor have a trickledown effect – creating less than ideal environments for delivering home performance.
During our August webinar, JR Babineau, Johns Manville’s Building Scientist in Corporate R&D, and Graham Davis, a Building Performance Specialist with IBACOS’ Builder Solutions team, shared insights from two Voice of Customer studies, as well as their collective experience and observations from working in the field to achieve higher performance and ensure quality installations.
Together, we discussed:
- Best practices to achieve 2012 and 2015 insulation and air sealing requirements, using a variety of system solutions
- Common pitfalls contractors face and how to avoid them
- What to expect with California’s 2016 codes
Watch the archive below.