(2015 IECC) Residential Energy Code (Alabama)

Country / jurisdiction: United States · Year: 2016 · Status: In force · Level: State/Provincial · Type: Voluntary

The State of Alabama has joined the ranks of state and municipal code jurisdictions that have incorporated the Energy Rating Index as a compliance option to their residential energy building codes.

The Alabama Residential Energy Code incorporates the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with state modifications. Included with the adoption is the Energy Rating Index compliance option (R406). The required Energy Rating Index score in Alabama that must be met is 70 or lower.

The energy provisions of this code include detached one- and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) as well as Group R-2, R-3, and R-4 buildings three stories or less in height above grade plane.

Application to replacement fenestration products

Where some or all of an existing fenestration unit is replaced with a new fenestration product, including slash and glazing, the replacement fenestration unit shall meet the applicable requirements for U-factor and SHGC.

Building Envelop Requirements

Building thermal envelop assemblies for building that are intended to comply with the code on a perspective basis, in accordance with the compliance path described in Item 2 of Section C401.2, shall comply with the following:

The opaque portion of the building thermal envelop shall comply with the specific insulation requirements of Section C402.2 and the thermal requirements of either the R-value –based method of section C 402.1.3; the U-, C-, F-Factor-based method of Section C402.1.4; or the component performance alternative of Section C402.1.5

Roof solar reflectance and thermal emittance shall comply with Section C402.3

Fenestration in building envelop assemblies shall comply with Section C402.4

Air leakage of building envelop assemblies shall comply with Section C402.5

Perspective Compliance

Vertical Fenestration: New vertical fenestration area that results in a total building fenestration area less than or equal to that specified in Section C402.4.1 shall comply with Section C402.4. Additions with vertical fenestration that result in a total building fenestration area greater than Section C402.4.1 or additions that exceed the fenestration area greater than Section C402.4.1 shall comply with Section C402.4.1.1 for the addition only. Additions that result in a total building vertical glass area exceeding that specified in Section C402.4.1.1 shall comply with Section C407.

Skylight area

New skylight area that results in a total building fenestration area less than or equal to that specified in Section C402.4.1 shall comply with Section C402.4. Additions with skylight area that result in a total building skylight area greater than Section C402.4.1 or additions that exceed the skylight area greater than Section C402.4.1 shall comply with Section C402.4.1.2 for the addition only. Additions that result in a total building skylight area exceeding that specified in Section C402.4.1.2 shall comply with Section C407.

Water heating System

New service water heating equipment, controls and service water heating piping shall comply with Section C404

Heating and Cooling System

New heating, cooling and duct systems shall comply with Sections C403

Lighting

New lighting systems shall comply with Sections C405

Official source: http://adeca.alabama.gov/Divisions/energy/energycodes/Energy%20Codes/Alabama%20Energy%20and%20Residential%20Code.pdf