Page 25 - CodeWatcher Winter 2017 Issue

New Guidance

on Air Leakage, ERI

The 2018 IECC recognizes ANSI Consensus Standards

to define how to conduct air leakage testing and

how to calculate energy rating index scores.
TBY STEVE BADEN
HE ICC HAS adopted IECC. The 2015 IECC did not, however,
the 2018 International reference a standard for calculating the
Energy Conservation Energy Rating Index scores.
Code (IECC). Among
the provisions enacted In 2015 ICC and RESNET jointly
are definitions on how published the ANSI approved Standard
to perform air leakage 301. The American National Standard
defines how to calculate the ERI.

testing and calculate RE166 proposed to incorporate the

Energy Rating Index (ERI) scores for the ICC and RESNET standard into the ERI

ERI option. compliance option. At the recent ICC voting

Envelope leakage testing has been RE83 was incorporated into the 2018 IECC.

required since the 2009 version of the IECC. In addition to adopting the ICC/RESNET

There was, however, no guidance provided Standard 301, the 2018 IECC exempts

on the protocols to be used to conduct the homes from meeting the ventilation

testing. In 2016 ICC and RESNET jointly requirements of Standard 301 where

published the ANSI approved Standard 380. a home is built in accordance with the

The American National Standard spells out International Residential Code.

how to properly conduct a blower door test. The ICC/RESNET Standard 301 can be

(See related article, “Once Isn’t Enough,” obtained through the ICC here.

pages 32-33.) The incorporation of the ICC and

RE83 was proposed to incorporate the ICC RESNET ANSI Standards 301 and 380

and RESNET standard into the air leakage into the 2018 IECC is significant because

performance testing requirement. At the it provides to code officials and builders

recent ICC voting RE83 was incorporated clarity and consistency in how the ERI is

into the 2018 IECC. calculated and how to properly conduct

The ICC/RESNET Standard 380 can be air leakage testing. This clarity should

obtained through the ICC here. improve compliance to the 2018 IECC. CW
The ERI was incorporated as a compliance
Steve Baden is executive director of RESNET.
option path into the 2015 version of the

Photo: Ingo Bartussek “The incorporation of the ICC and RESNET ANSI Standards 301 and 380 into
the 2018 IECC is significant because it provides to code officials and builders
clarity and consistency in how the ERI is calculated and how to properly conduct
air leakage testing. This clarity should improve compliance to the 2018 IECC.”

www.codewatcher.us January 2017 / CodeWatcher 25