Seattle Energy Code Update!!

Attached are the revised staff recommendations for the 2009 Seattle Energy Code. (Note: changes from the staff recommendatins discussed at the CCAB meeting on 20 May 2010 are highlighted in yellow in the draft). Click here to view the draft(note: this draft version has been superceded. Go to http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/codes/energy_code/overview/2009_ecupdate.asp to access the most current version).

The revisions are grouped into two categories and summarized below.

This document has been forwarded to CCAB. The CCAB meeting to discuss the revised draft 2009 Seattle Energy Code is scheduled for 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm on Thursday, 15 July 2010, in room 2240 (22nd floor) of the Seattle Municipal Tower at 700 Fifth Avenue. The meeting is open to the public.

Again, thank you all for your participation and contributions to the 2009 Seattle Energy Code,

John (Hogan)


1. Incorporation of CCAB recommendations from 20 May 2010 meeting

Seattle Envstd:

• 701: reference updated to 2009 version of Seattle EnvStd
• 1331, exception: added Seattle EnvStd back in as a compliance option, except for projects using footnote 2 to Table 13-1 and for Group R occupancies.
  
  

Table 13-1, fenestration U-factor:

• 0-30% fenestration area: added in footnote 2 for metal frame fenestration products.
• 30-40% fenestration area: changed metal frame fenestration to U-38 (instead of U-0.35) added in footnote 2 for metal frame fenestration products, added requirement for a minimum VT-0.51 for all fenestration products.
• Footnote 2: revised to clarify when this footnote could be used, when it could not be used, and what calculations were necessary.
  
  

Fenestration VT:

• See Table 13-1 above.
• 1323.4: added new section that references Table 13-1.
• 1335: added new section for trade-offs, with equations.
  

2. Other:

• 1310: deleted proposed amendment as RS-29, Section 1.1, specifies that the standard is for the total building including all of its systems, so nonresidential/residential trade-offs are allowed.
• 1314.6.2: revise to specify confidence interval, to more carefully specify test pressures and ranges, and to add another reference to the informative note.
• 1410: add references to 1470 and 1475.
• 1412.6: deleted proposed amendments as combustion heating equipment > 225,000 Btuh is regulated by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA).
• 1433: edited informative note for exception 1; deleted proposed amendment for exception 9 but added a word to clarify, also provide waiver of third-party certification for ASHRAE Standard 127 equipment until 2012.
• 1475: delete proposed amendment for Energy Star efficiencies for commercial solid door refrigerators and freezers, commercial ice machines, and refrigerated beverage vending machines, as these are regulated by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA).
• 1513.6.1: clarify application to stairwell lighting.
• 1621: delete proposed amendment that renewable energy systems be located within Washington State.
• RS-29, title: modify title to specifically include multifamily residential buildings.
• RS-29, Table 3.1 #5: air leakage criteria revised to be the same for both the Standard Design and the Proposed Design.
• RS-35: renamed (formerly Appendix A).
• RS-36: renamed (formerly Appendix B).
  
  

The adoption schedule is still a bit uncertain because some dates depend on schedules of the Mayor and City Council. But, DPD is expecting the legislation adopting the codes to take effect in late August or early September. The effective date will be followed by a 60-day period during which permit applicants can choose whether to use the 2006 or 2009 codes.