# Presentation: 341674

## David Abrey

- Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Inc.
**Gary Epstein**
- Energy *&* Resource Solutions
**National Workshop on State Building Energy Codes**
- July 16, 2002

## Energy Code Technical Assistance Circuit RiderProgram Concept

**Meet with Architects, Engineers, Contractors and/or Code Officials in their Offices to Discuss how the Energy Code Applies to Their Projects**
**Agenda Mainly Set by Participants to Focus on Areas of the Energy Code Confusing to Them**
**Field Training to Supplement Classroom Training (Not Replace it) **

**Review Actual Plans and Specifications to Discuss Concepts Such as “Continuity of Insulation”, “Thermal Bridging” and “Condensation”**

## Energy Code Technical Assistance Circuit RiderProgram Goals

**Aggressive Support of Energy Code Compliance**
**Participants Will:**
**Gain a Better Understanding of Energy Code Requirements**
**Learn Technical Approaches for Complying with the Energy Code**
**Discuss State-of-the-Art Approaches for Energy-Efficient Design & Construction Practice**
**Learn How and Why to Go Beyond Code**
**Encourage Positive Attitudes Toward Compliance**
**Forum for Candid Conversation on Code Issues**

## Energy Code Technical Assistance Circuit RiderProgram Intent

**The Intent of the Circuit Rider Program was to:**
**Openly discuss the advantages ****and disadvantages of specific ****building designs, systems, ****equipment, applications and ****details that are used to meet ****the Energy Code.**
**Learn from your peers about ****specific innovative approaches used ****in the construction industry today to ****meet and exceed the requirements of ****the Energy Code.**

## Energy Code Technical Assistance Circuit RiderProgram Intent (Continued)

**The Intent of the Circuit Rider Program was also to:**
**To identify and discuss specific ****requirements within the Energy Code ****that are difficult to comply with in ****certain building types or under certain ****conditions. **
**To provide feedback to the Code ****Agencies concerning areas of the ****Energy Code that are most often ****misunderstood or misapplied. This could ****lead to enhancements to future training ****curriculums or to possible future changes ****in code requirements.**

## Energy Code Technical Assistance Circuit RiderProgram Intent (Continued)

**The Intent of the Circuit Rider Program was **_**NOT**_** to:**
**Provide legal or binding ****interpretations on Energy Code ****compliance for specific details, ****designs, systems or equipment.**
**Promote or provide detailed ****information concerning specific ****manufacturer’s products or ****equipment.**

## Energy Code Technical Assistance Circuit RiderPilot Program Overview

**Customized to the Needs of the A/E or Contractor Firm**
**Available to Any Firm that Participated in Formal Classroom Code Training**
**Conducted at Client Offices**
**Based on the Requirements in the Massachusetts Commercial Energy Code (Chapter 13)**

## Technical Support Features
Energy Code Clarification
Technical Assistance with Specific Projects
Guidance on Technical Topics and Design Approaches for Compliance
Technical Assistance Team Comprised of Architects, Mechanical Engineers and Electrical Engineers

**Energy Code Clarification**
**Technical Assistance with Specific Projects**
**Guidance on Technical Topics and Design Approaches for Compliance**
**Technical Assistance Team Comprised of Architects, Mechanical Engineers and Electrical Engineers**

**Energy Code Technical Assistance Circuit Rider**** ****Pilot**** ****Program Overview ****(Continued)**

## Six Month Effort (May – November 2001)
Massachusetts (& Vermont)
Attendance at Training Class Required for Participants
Typical Session Attendance: 12-15 people
Session Length: 2-4 hours
Sessions Conducted for Architects, Engineers, Contractors, Vendors, Building Owners
Total Number of Sessions: 28
Sessions Addressed Technical Issues for All Aspects of the Commercial Energy Code

**Six Month Effort (May – November 2001)**
**Massachusetts (& Vermont)**
**Attendance at Training Class Required for Participants**
**Typical Session Attendance: ****12-15 people**
**Session Length: ****2-4 hours**
**Sessions Conducted for Architects, Engineers, Contractors, Vendors, Building Owners**
**Total Number of Sessions: ****28**
**Sessions Addressed Technical Issues for All Aspects of the Commercial Energy Code**

**Energy Code Technical Assistance Circuit Rider**** ****Pilot**** ****Program Overview ****(Continued)**

## Energy Code Technical Assistance Circuit RiderOverview of Session Topics

**Energy Code Technical Assistance Circuit Rider****Overview of Session Topics**

## Energy Code Technical Assistance Circuit RiderAdministrative Tasks

**Energy Code Technical Assistance Circuit Rider****Administrative Tasks**

**Program Promotion**
**Brochure**
**Web Page**
**Classroom Trainings**
**Professional Association Meetings**
**Direct E-mailings**
**Establish Toll-free Telephone Line**
**Coordinate and Schedule Visits**
**Maintain Database of Callers & Sessions**

## Energy Code Technical Assistance Circuit RiderSpecific Issues

**Energy Code Technical Assistance Circuit Rider****Specific Issues**

**Participant Perspectives**
**Compliance & Enforcement Issues**
**Building Envelope Requirement Issues**
**HVAC Requirement Issues**
**Lighting Requirement Issues**

## Architect’s Perspective

***“******We always comply with codes.  But these new codes are too stringent and I don’t see how we can comply with all elements.  These new requirements will make buildings much more expensive.”***

**Notes:**
Over sizing of the DH systems – even from the design phases – in order to cover thermal demands corresponding to utopian development plans. Therefore, both heat generation capacities – many of them steam turbines with extraction and/or back-pressure – and the transmission and distribution networks are designed to assure heat quantities much higher than necessary. For this reason, the equipment is operated at partial load or in abnormal operating regimes, which leads to a low overall efficiency. 

Another characteristic of the CEE countries DH systems is the limited duration of the installed capacity utilization, mainly because of the inaccurate correlation between the heat demand and outside temperatures. Most of the systems, especially in the Central and East-European countries  (except for the former Soviet Union countries) are designed for outside temperatures much lower than the real registered temperatures, for a certain period of time. The thermal inertia of the buildings was not properly considerate when systems were designed. The heat storage practically do not exist in the CEE countries, despite the fact that it is widely used in the Scandinavian countries, for comparable side systems. Therefore, many of the systems are operating at partial load, with low efficiency.

The heat was not considered as a service, based on market rules, but as a social good. That is why there is lack of energy flow measurement and control. The consumers have paid also the heat transmission and distribution losses, which have become higher and higher in time, due to the system degradation.

Due to the fact that in the former-communist economy was adopted the “vertical urban development” solution, meaning multi-floors block of flats, which can provide a high density of heat consumption, the heating systems were also vertically developed. This kind of systems make very difficult the heat metering, leading to the situation when the consumer has no control on the service he has to pay.

The regulating systems inside the apartments (valves installed on the heat exchangers) and the heat exchangers (which in most of the cases were not the propriety of the lodgers) have been inspected rarely or not at all. Consequently, most of the heat exchangers are clogged and the valves are obstructed. The inside apartment temperature is maintained using windows. Even in the cases when the heat exchangers are in a good condition, the temperature is maintained using windows, because the bill includes anyway a heat quantity very difficult to follow.

## Architect’s Perspective

***“******The engineers are always the weak link in the process.  And the contractors will do what they what want to do anyway.  This is all very troublesome.”***

**Notes:**
Over sizing of the DH systems – even from the design phases – in order to cover thermal demands corresponding to utopian development plans. Therefore, both heat generation capacities – many of them steam turbines with extraction and/or back-pressure – and the transmission and distribution networks are designed to assure heat quantities much higher than necessary. For this reason, the equipment is operated at partial load or in abnormal operating regimes, which leads to a low overall efficiency. 

Another characteristic of the CEE countries DH systems is the limited duration of the installed capacity utilization, mainly because of the inaccurate correlation between the heat demand and outside temperatures. Most of the systems, especially in the Central and East-European countries  (except for the former Soviet Union countries) are designed for outside temperatures much lower than the real registered temperatures, for a certain period of time. The thermal inertia of the buildings was not properly considerate when systems were designed. The heat storage practically do not exist in the CEE countries, despite the fact that it is widely used in the Scandinavian countries, for comparable side systems. Therefore, many of the systems are operating at partial load, with low efficiency.

The heat was not considered as a service, based on market rules, but as a social good. That is why there is lack of energy flow measurement and control. The consumers have paid also the heat transmission and distribution losses, which have become higher and higher in time, due to the system degradation.

Due to the fact that in the former-communist economy was adopted the “vertical urban development” solution, meaning multi-floors block of flats, which can provide a high density of heat consumption, the heating systems were also vertically developed. This kind of systems make very difficult the heat metering, leading to the situation when the consumer has no control on the service he has to pay.

The regulating systems inside the apartments (valves installed on the heat exchangers) and the heat exchangers (which in most of the cases were not the propriety of the lodgers) have been inspected rarely or not at all. Consequently, most of the heat exchangers are clogged and the valves are obstructed. The inside apartment temperature is maintained using windows. Even in the cases when the heat exchangers are in a good condition, the temperature is maintained using windows, because the bill includes anyway a heat quantity very difficult to follow.

## Engineer’s Perspective

***“******If the equipment is available, we can readily meet any code requirements.  But, who came up with this stuff anyway?  I don’t think they knew what they’re doing...these crazy code administrators.  Can you tell me a technical approach to avoid complying with the code?”***

**Notes:**
Economical recessing of these countries during the ’80 and the structural changes at the end of the eight decade, followed by deep economical crises have generated phenomena which leads to the continuously degradation of the DH systems. Among these phenomena, the following have had a maximal impact in Romania:
          The lack of financing sources for the rehabilitation and the modernization of heat generation, transmission and distribution. The equipment are still at ‘50-’60 technological level, haven’t been replaced with modern devices. Only in some cases, where the external financing sources were available, it was possible to perform rehabilitation and modernization. 
          The absence of a national energy strategy, with a distinct position of DH, in order to encourage the systems rehabilitation programs.
          The lack of concern and initiative of the local utilities management regarding the improvement of supply services, due to the business environment: monopoly on a local market, with captive clients.
          The absence of a clear and transparent legal frame, which allow the decisions with a long term impact on DH systems.
          The continuously increase of the heat price, because of the services market liberalization and because of the fact that the main resources are paid in external currency, at a time when the internal inflation rate was very high. 
          The continuously decrease of the living standard of the citizens supplied with heat from DH. That leads to impossibility of payment the heat bill and to the increase of debts toward the heat suppliers. This aspect was aggravated by the lack of metering systems.

We don’t have to forget the extremely restrictive energy policy in Romania in the late ’80, when the heat delivery was very low  (just to avoid the frozen of the system). 

With this final detail we have all the necessary pieces to build the image of the DH systems, characterized by an advanced degradation and a loss of the market. The consumers have no more trust in the DH systems, due to the inability of the suppliers to perform high quality services and to promote the advantages of this kind of systems.

The presence of the competitors on the energy equipment market leads to a higher interest of the consumers, which meanwhile become the owners of the apartments they live in. They are more and more interested in using other sources for heating, therefore the number of disconnections from the DH system is increasing. 

These disconnections have throw off the balance of the DH systems. The heat is now produced with higher fuel and electricity consumption, because of the functioning on partial load. Consumers that still prefer to be supplied via DH systems are in a paradoxical situation to be incapable to benefit of this service, even if they want to pay and they afford to pay the heat.

Baia Mare is one of the most representative cities in Romania. Despite the fact that the local supplier, ENERGOTERM SA, has acted to improve the heat supply, the company market  is constantly decreasing (see chapter 2).

The main reasons for the spreading of the disconnection phenomenon are: the presence of the natural gas, low price of the gas for the residential consumers, the small traffic on the Hungarian border – main source of apartment heating units and stoves at a god price - and the absence of the control on the way that these are installed.  

For the consumers with small revenues, the disconnection was the consequence of the impossibility to pay the heat bill. They have chosen a lot of “domestic” solutions: from the gas cooker to wood stoves. For this category of consumers a future re-connection is possible, with an acceptable tariff and a help for improvement the inside apartment installations. 

## Engineer’s Perspective

***“******The architects are the real problem here, you know. We are expected to comply with these codes and they don’t even leave any physical space to fit in all the required systems.”***

**Notes:**
Economical recessing of these countries during the ’80 and the structural changes at the end of the eight decade, followed by deep economical crises have generated phenomena which leads to the continuously degradation of the DH systems. Among these phenomena, the following have had a maximal impact in Romania:
          The lack of financing sources for the rehabilitation and the modernization of heat generation, transmission and distribution. The equipment are still at ‘50-’60 technological level, haven’t been replaced with modern devices. Only in some cases, where the external financing sources were available, it was possible to perform rehabilitation and modernization. 
          The absence of a national energy strategy, with a distinct position of DH, in order to encourage the systems rehabilitation programs.
          The lack of concern and initiative of the local utilities management regarding the improvement of supply services, due to the business environment: monopoly on a local market, with captive clients.
          The absence of a clear and transparent legal frame, which allow the decisions with a long term impact on DH systems.
          The continuously increase of the heat price, because of the services market liberalization and because of the fact that the main resources are paid in external currency, at a time when the internal inflation rate was very high. 
          The continuously decrease of the living standard of the citizens supplied with heat from DH. That leads to impossibility of payment the heat bill and to the increase of debts toward the heat suppliers. This aspect was aggravated by the lack of metering systems.

We don’t have to forget the extremely restrictive energy policy in Romania in the late ’80, when the heat delivery was very low  (just to avoid the frozen of the system). 

With this final detail we have all the necessary pieces to build the image of the DH systems, characterized by an advanced degradation and a loss of the market. The consumers have no more trust in the DH systems, due to the inability of the suppliers to perform high quality services and to promote the advantages of this kind of systems.

The presence of the competitors on the energy equipment market leads to a higher interest of the consumers, which meanwhile become the owners of the apartments they live in. They are more and more interested in using other sources for heating, therefore the number of disconnections from the DH system is increasing. 

These disconnections have throw off the balance of the DH systems. The heat is now produced with higher fuel and electricity consumption, because of the functioning on partial load. Consumers that still prefer to be supplied via DH systems are in a paradoxical situation to be incapable to benefit of this service, even if they want to pay and they afford to pay the heat.

Baia Mare is one of the most representative cities in Romania. Despite the fact that the local supplier, ENERGOTERM SA, has acted to improve the heat supply, the company market  is constantly decreasing (see chapter 2).

The main reasons for the spreading of the disconnection phenomenon are: the presence of the natural gas, low price of the gas for the residential consumers, the small traffic on the Hungarian border – main source of apartment heating units and stoves at a god price - and the absence of the control on the way that these are installed.  

For the consumers with small revenues, the disconnection was the consequence of the impossibility to pay the heat bill. They have chosen a lot of “domestic” solutions: from the gas cooker to wood stoves. For this category of consumers a future re-connection is possible, with an acceptable tariff and a help for improvement the inside apartment installations. 

## Contractor’s Perspective

***“******Nobody ever asks us.  The architects and engineers spec the systems and we’re expected to make it all work in the field.  Who gets the call at 3 AM when a system fails?  Not the architect or engineer; it’s us.”***

## Contractor’s Perspective

***“******Who’s going to make sure that our competition complies with this new code?  We will do what we have to do to stay competitive.”***

## Other Perspectives...

***“******We have to worry about occupant safety and structurally ******integrity; things that are a lot more important than saving ******a few dollars on the energy bill.” ******	******	******	******	******	******	******Architect***
***“******We don’t have to comply with our buildings, they are ******Tilt-Wall and are designed in Illinois.”***** ****	****	****	****	****	****	*****Architect***
***“******This is going to be just like the last energy code; nobody ******will enforce it, so we’ll all ignore it.” ******	******	******	******	******	******	******Engineer***

## Other Perspectives...

**“*****The word on the street already is that there will be no enforcement.  We now know that we can choose on a project-by-project basis whether it is worthwhile to comply with the code. In general, we just ignore it.”***** ****	****	****	****	****	*****HVAC Contractor***
***“******Our clients keep asking us what they need to comply ******with the code. Hell; we don’t know.”***** ****	****	****	****	****	****	****	****	*****Lighting Mfg. ******	******	******	******	******	******	******	******Representative***

## Energy Code Technical Assistance Circuit RiderCompliance & Enforcement Issues

**Energy Code Technical Assistance Circuit Rider****Compliance & Enforcement Issues**

**Most session attendees were very interested in what the consequences were if they did not comply with the new energy code. **
**Many questions addressed the mechanisms for enforcement and liability if a designer or contractor is identified with the design or construction of non-compliant buildings. **
**Session attendees regularly asked who is responsible for making sure that a new design or building is code-compliant. **
**Many session attendees had considerable difficulty understanding the basic steps required for approval and acceptance. **

## Energy Code Technical Assistance Circuit RiderBuilding Envelope Requirements

**Energy Code Technical Assistance Circuit Rider****Building Envelope Requirements**

**Insulation**
**Interpreting Tables and ****Requirements**
**Relationship/Confusion ****Between Air and Vapor ****Barriers**
**Permeability Data**
**Air Barrier Materials and Location**
**Thermal Bridging**
**Continuity of Insulation**
**Relationship to Condensation & IAQ**
**LEED Certification**

## Energy Code Technical Assistance Circuit RiderHVAC Requirements

**Energy Code Technical Assistance Circuit Rider****HVAC Requirements**

**Heating and Cooling Load ****Determination**
**Safety Factors**
**Documentation**
**System & Equipment Sizing**
**Equipment Redundancy**
**HVAC Equipment Performance ****Tables**
**Air vs Water Cooled Equipment**
**Variable Frequency Drive Chillers**
**Thermostat & Humidity Control Requirements vs Control Capability**
**New Construction Programs**

## Energy Code Technical Assistance Circuit RiderElectrical & Lighting Requirements

**Energy Code Technical Assistance Circuit Rider****Electrical & Lighting Requirements**

**Lighting Power Densities for ****Certain Building Types**
**Display or Accent Lighting**
**General vs Task Lighting**
**Lighting Controls**
**What’s Really Required?**
**Automatic vs Manual**
**Transformers**
**Availability of Products**
**Using Modern Technologies to Provide Compliance With High Performance**
**New Construction Programs**

## Massachusetts BBRS Technical Assistance Program Circuit Rider

**Large Scale Effort to Provide Expert Consulting for:**
**Architects**
**Engineers**
**Contractors**
**Vendors**
**Building Owners**
**Technical Assistance Project ****Conducted Through 2002**
**Approximately 100 Consulting Sessions Planned**
**ERS’ Consulting Team Includes Engineers and Architects**
**Similar Requirements to NEEP’s Pilot Efforts  **

## Are High Compliance Rates Difficult to Achieve?

**YES!!!**
**Lack of Awareness of Codes**
**Inadequate Education on Technical Approaches**
**Energy and Resource Efficiency is a Low Priority**
**Concerns About Competitiveness**
**Perception - There is No Accountability**

## RecommendationsEducation

**Energy Efficiency Training for Architects**
**Load Estimating/Equipment Sizing Training for HVAC Engineers**
**Energy Efficiency/Code Training for Contractors and Vendors**
**Energy Efficiency/Code Training for Engineering and Architecture Students**

## AdditionalRecommendations

**Expand Process for Other States**
**Improve Outreach for Non-Architectural Firms**
**Produce Simplified List of Code Compliant HVAC Equipment**
**Produce Additional Narrative Report Samples**
**Produce Code Compliant Architectural Detail Drawings**
**Produce Checklists and Guides to Support Code Official Efforts **
**Integrate Technical Assistance Efforts with Utility Programs**** **
**Publish Summary Guides of Available Utility Programs**

## Energy Code Circuit Rider Technical Assistance Conclusion

***During numerous technical assistance sessions, firms indicated that as a result of the session they would do better at complying with the new energy code.  This applies to design firms who claim they now have an enhanced understanding of the new requirements and to contractors who claim that they previously did not make compliance a priority.***
***Such changed perspectives are indicators of the general value and success of the technical assistance effort.***** **