Page 24 - Green Builder November Issue Codes Update

The ICC’s
Nightmare
on Elm Street

The trade-off loophole in the proposed 2018 IECC may

earn first-ever “negative” determination from DOE.
IBY BILL FAY
N THE 2009 IECC, the ICC’s Governmental Member Voting 2012 IECC and again during hearings on the 2015 IECC.
Representatives (GMVRs) closed the equipment trade-off Like Freddy Kruger, the ETO is the loophole that just won’t die.
(ETO) loophole once and for all. This was good news: This year, a builder-stacked and builder-dominated Residential
An analysis by ICF International, one of the world’s leading
energy analytics firms found that stopping equipment Energy Committee once again recommended reinstating the ETO
trade-offs added at least 6-9 percent to the 2009 IECC’s (RE134), then added its support for two other trade-off loopholes for
already historic 12 percent boost in new home efficiency. windows and lighting.

Not only are trade-offs a zero-sum game at best, but with very few
proposals that boost efficiency, these three trade-offs could end up
sinking the 2018 IECC, itself.

Furthermore, the analysis found that an individual home RE134 will add at least 6-9 percent to new home energy use. The

built using all available equipment trade-offs could have consumed as ETO allows a builder to weaken a new home’s envelope features—

much as 22 percent more energy than a home that didn’t use them. most of which will perform for the 80- to 100-year life of the home—in

Did I say “once and for all?” exchange for installing more efficient equipment that may last 20-25

Actually, efficiency opponents have forced the GMVRs to vote three years. In other words, when the equipment is replaced after a few

more times on the ETO loophole – twice during consideration of the years, the trade-off home with the weaker envelope will continue

22 GREEN BUILDER November/December 2016 www.greenbuildermedia.com