# ENE R GY S TA R Qu a l i fi ed H o mes, Vers i on 3 ( R e v. 0 3 )

T h e rmal E n closure S ystem R at e r Ch e c k l i st Ho m e Ad d re s s : Ci ty : St a t e : **I ns**  **p ec**  **t i**  **o n**  **G u**  **i d**  **e l**  **i n**  **e s**  **M u**  **s t**  **Cor r** **ec t**  **Bui l**  **d e**  **r**

**V e**  **rifi ed**  1 **Rat e**  **r**

**V e**  **rifi e**  **d N/A**  **1 .**  **Hig h**  **- P**  **e rfor**  **m a**  **n c**  **e F**  **e n**  **es t**  **rat i**  **on** 1 .1 Pr e scr ip t iv e Pa t h : F e nes t rat io n sh a l l mee t o r e x cee d EN E R G Y S T

AR requi reme n ts 2     1 .2 Pe r f o r m an c e Pa t

h : F en e s t r

a t io n s h al l m e e t o r e x

cee d 20 0 9 I ECC req u ire m en ts 2     **2 .**  **Q u**  **a l**  **i t**  **y -**  **I ns**  **t a**  **l le**  **d I**  **n s**  **u l**  **a ti**  **o n**  2 .1 C e ili n g , wall , floo r, an d s la b i n sul a t i o n le ve l s sh a l l mee t o r e x cee d 20 0 9 I ECC le v e l s 3, 4 ,5     2 .2 A l l c ei l ing , wall , fl o o r, a n d sla b i n su l a t i o n s ha l l a chie v e R ESN E T- de fine d Gra d e I ins tal l a t i o n o r, al t e rna t i vel y , G rad e I I fo r su rfa c e s w i th i n su l a te d s hea t hin g ( s e e c he c k l is t i t e m 4.4
. 1 fo r req u i re d i n sul a t i o n le ve l s )     **3 .**  **F u**  **l l**  **y -** **A l**  **i g**  **ne d**  **A ir B**  **a r**  **ri e**  **rs** 6 At e a c h i ns u la t e d l oca t io n no te d b e lo w , a c o mp l e te ai r b a rri e r s h al l b e p ro v ide d t ha t i s fu ll y align e d w i th th e i n su l a t i o n a s fol l o ws : At i n t e r io r su r

fa c e o f c e il in g s i n a l l C l i ma te Z o nes ; a l so , at in t e rio r edg e o f a tt i c ea v e i n al l C l im a te Z on e s u sin g a w in d ba f f l e t h a t e x t end s to t h e fu l l hei g h t o f th e in s ula t io n . I n clu d e a ba f fl e i n e v e ry ba y o r a t a bbe d ba f fl e i n ea c h ba y w i th a so f fi t v en t t h a t w il l al s o p re v en t w in d washi n g o f i n sul a t io n i n a dj a cen t ba ys At e x t e r io r s u rfa c e o f wall s i n al l C l i ma te Z o n es ; an d al s o a t i n t e r i o r s u rfa ce o f wall s f o r C lim a te Z on e s 4 - 8 7, 8 At i n t e r io r su r

fa c e o f fl o o rs i n al l C l i ma te Z o n es , in c lu d i n g s u ppo rts to e n su re pe rm an e n t c o n t a ct a n d b lo c ki n g a t e xpose d e d g e s 9 , 10 3 .1 W a l l s 3
. 1 .1 W al l s be h in d sho we rs a n d tu b s     3
. 1 .2 W al l s be h in d fi re p l a ce s     3
. 1 .3 Att i c k ne e wal l s / S lop e d a tt i c s 11     3
. 1 .4 S ky l i gh t sha f

t wall s     3
. 1 .5 W al l a dj o ini n g po rc h ro o f     3
. 1 .6 S tai rc a s e wall s     3
. 1 .7 D ou b l e wall s     3
. 1 .8 Garag e r i m / b an d jo i s t adj o ini n g c on d i t i o ne d sp a ce     3
. 1 .9 A l l o t h e r e x

t e r io r wall s     3 .2 F loo rs 3
. 2 .1 F loo r abo v e ga ra g e     3
. 2 .2 C a n t i le v e re d floo r     3
. 2 .3 F loo r abo v e un c on d i t i on e d b a s e men t o r ven t e d c ra w lspac e     3 .3 C e ili n g s 3
. 3 .1 Dro pp e d c ei l ing /so f fi t b e l o w uncon d i t i o ne d a tt i c     3
. 3 .2 S lo p e d c ei l in g s 11     3
. 3 .3 A l l o t he r ce i li n g s     **4 .**  **Re d**  **u c**  **e d**  **T h**  **e rm**  **a l**  **B r**  **i d**  **g i**  **n g**  4 .1 F o r i n su l a t e d c e il i ng s w i th a tt i c s pa ce a b o ve ( i
. e ., n o n - c at hed ra li z e d ce i li n gs ), unc o mp re s s e d in s ula t io n e x t en d s to t h e i n si d e fa c e o f t h e e x t e r io r wal l belo w a t t h e follo w in g le ve l s : CZ 1 to 5 : > R- 21 ; CZ 6 to 8 : > R - 3 0 12     4 .2 F o r s la b s o n g ra d e i n CZ 4 an d hi g he r, 100 % o f sl a b e d g e i n su l a t e d to > R - 5 a t th e d e p th sp e ci fi e d b y t h e 2 00 9 I ECC a n d al i gn e d w i th the rma l bo u nd a ry o f t h e wall s 4,5     4 .3 I n s u la t i o n b en e a th a tt i c p l a tfo r m s ( e . g ., HVAC p la tf o r m s , walkwa ys ) > R - 2 1 i n CZ 1 to 5 ; > R - 3 0 i n CZ 6 to 8     4 .4 Re d u c e d t h e r m a l b rid g in g a t wall s ( ri m / ba n d j oi s ts a re e x emp t ed ) u sin g on e o f t h e f o l lo w in g op t i o n s : 4
. 4 .1 C o n t i nuo u s r i gi d i n sul a t i on , i ns u la t e d s id i ng , o r c o m b i n a t io n o f t h e two ; > R - 3 i n C l i ma te Zo n e s 1 to 4 , > R - 5 i n C l i ma te Zo n e s 5 to 8 1 3 ,14 , **O R**  ;     4
. 4 .2 S t ruct u ra l In s ul a t e d P a n el s (S I P s ), **O R**  ;     4
. 4 .3 I n s ula te d C o n c re te F o rm s ( I CF s ) , **O R**  ;     4
. 4 .4 D o ub l e -wal l fra mi n g 15 , **O R**  ;     4
. 4 .5 Ad vanc e d fra m i ng , i n c l u din g al l o f t h e i te m s b elo w : 4.4
. 5 a A l l co rne rs i n su l a t e d > R - 6 to e d g e 1 6 , **A N**  **D** ;     4.4
. 5 b A l l he a de rs abo ve w in d o ws & doo rs i n sul a t e d 17 , **A N**  **D** ;     4.4
. 5 c F ra mi n g l im i t e d a t a l l w indo ws & doo rs 1 8 , **A N**  **D** ;     4.4
. 5 d A l l in t e r io r / e x

t e r io r wal l in te rs e ct i on s i n su l a t e d to t h e sa m e R - valu e a s t h e res t o f t h e e x t e r io r wal l 19 , **A N**  **D** ;     4.4
. 5 e M inimu m s t u d s p a cin g o f 16 ” o . c . fo r 2 x 4 frami n g i n al l C l im a te Z on e s a n d , i n Cl ima te Z o ne s 5 t h rou g h 8 , 2 4 ” o . c . fo r 2 x 6 frami n g u n le s s co n s tr u ct i o n doc u me n ts sp e ci fy o t he r sp a c i n g i s s t ruct u ra l l y requ i re d 2 0     OMB Control No. 2060 - 0586

# ENE R GY S TA R Qu a l i fi ed H o mes, Vers i on 3 ( R e v. 0 3 )

T h e rmal E n closure S ystem R at e r Ch e c k l i st

**I ns**  **p ec**  **t i**  **o n**  **G u**  **i d**  **e l**  **i n**  **e s**  **M u**  **s t**  **Cor r** **ec t**  **Bui l**  **d e**  **r**

**V e**  **rifi ed**  1 **Rat e**  **r**

**V e**  **rifi e**  **d N/A**  **5 .**  **A ir S**  **ea l**  **ing** 5 .1 P e n e tra t io n s to u n con d i t i o ne d sp a c e fu ll y s eal e d w i th s ol i d b l o c ki n g o r fla s hi n g a s n e e d e d a n d g a p s se a le d w i th ca u l k o r fo a m 5
. 1 .1 D u ct / fl u e s ha ft     5
. 1 .2 P lu m bi n g / p ip i n g     5
. 1 .3 E le ctr i c a l w i r in g     5
. 1. 4 B a t h ro o m an d k i tch e n e xhau s t fa n s     5
. 1 .5 R e c e s s e d l igh t in g fi x t u re s a dja c en t to u n co n di t ion e d s p ac e I CAT la b el e d a n d fu ll y ga s ke t e d
. A l so , i f i n i n su l a te d cei l in g w i t hou t a tt i c abo v e , e x t e r io r su rfa c e o f fi x

t u re ins u la t e d to > R - 1 0 i n CZ 4 a n d hi g he r to m in i mi z e c on d en s at io n po t e n t i a l
.     5
. 1 .6 Li g h t t u be s adj a c en t to u nco n di t i on e d s pa c e i n c l ud e l e n s s epa ra t i n g unc o ndi t io n e d a n d con d i t i one d sp a c e a n d a re fu ll y g a s k e t e d 21     5 .2 Cra c ks i n t h e bu i ld i n g e n velop e fu l l y se a le d 5
. 2 .1 A l l si l l p l a t e s a dj a cen t to con d i t i o ne d s p ac e s e ale d to fo unda t io n o r s ub -fl oo r w i th cau l k
. F oa m g a s k e t a l s o pl a c e d be n ea th s i l l p la te i f res t in g a to p c onc re te o r ma s on ry an d adj a c en t to c ond i t ion e d s pa c e .     5
. 2 .2 At to p o f wal l s a djo i nin g unc o ndi t io n e d sp a ce s , c on t i n u ou s to p p la t e s o r s e al e d blo c k i n g u si n g c au l k , fo am , o r equi va l en t ma t e ria l     5
. 2 .3 S hee t ro c k s ea l e d to to p pla te a t a l l a tt i c/wal l i n t e rfa c e s usi n g c au l k , f oam , o r equi va l en t ma t e ria l
. E i t he r a p p l y sea l an t di re ct l y b e twee n s he e tro c k a n d to p p l a te o r to t h e s e a m be twee n t h e two fro m th e a tt i c a bo v e . Co n s t ruct i o n a dh e si ve s ha l l no t b e u s e d     5
. 2 .4 R o ug h op e ni n g a ro un d w indo ws & e x t e r io r d o o rs se al e d w i th c a ul k o r fo a m 2 2     5
. 2 .5 M a rr iag e jo i n ts be twee n mod u la r h o m e m odu l e s a t a l l e x t e r io r boun d a ry con d i t i o n s fu l l y se a le d w i th g a ske t an d fo a m     5
. 2 .6 A l l se a m s be twee n Str uct u ra l I ns u la te d P a ne l s (S I P s ) f oam e d a n d /o r tap e d pe r man u fact u re r‟ s i ns t ruct io n s     5
. 2 .7 In mul t i -fa mil y b ui l din g s , th e g a p b e twee n th e d rywal l s ha ft wal l ( i
. e . co m m o n wall ) an d t h e s tr u ct u ra l fra mi n g be twee n u ni ts fu ll y s e al e d a t al l e x t e r io r bou n da ry con d i t i o n s     5 .3 Oth e r O p en i ng s 5
. 3 .1 D oo rs adj a c en t to u n co n di t i o ne d sp a c e ( e . g . , a tt i c s , g arage s , b a s e men ts ) o r amb i en t co n di t io n s g a s k e t e d o r ma d e s ubs tan t iall y a i r- t i gh t     5
. 3 .2 Att i c a cc e s s pa n el s an d d ro p - do w n s tai rs e q uip p e d w i t h a du rab l e > R - 1 0 ins u la t e d c o ve r th a t i s g a s k e te d ( i
. e . , no t c a u l ked ) to p ro d u c e con t in u ou s ai r se a l w he n occ u pan t i s no t a c c e ss in g th e a tt i c 23     5
. 3 .3 W ho le - h o u s e fa n s e qu ip pe d w i th a du ra b l e > R - 1 0 i ns ul a t e d co ve r t h a t i s g a s ke te d an d e i t he r i n s t a l le d o n t h e h o u s e s id e o r m e c han i c a ll y ope ra te d 23     Ra te r N a m e : Ra te r Pre - Drywal l In s p e ct i o n Da te : Ra te r I n i t i a ls : Ra te r N a m e : Ra te r F i na l I n s p e ct i o n D a t e : Ra te r I n i t i a ls : B uild e r E m p lo yee : B uil d e r I n sp e ct i o n D a te : B uil d e r I n i t i a ls : **Not es**  **:** 1
. At t h e d i sc re t i o n o f t h e Ra t e r , t h e b ui l de r ma y ve r i fy u p to e i gh t i t e m s s p ec i fie d i n t h i s c h e ck l is t. W he n e x e rcise d , t h e b u ilde r

‟ s resp o ns i bi l i ty w il l b e fo r m all y a ck n o w ledge d b y th e b ui l de r s i gnin g o ff o n t h e ch e ck l is t fo r th e i t e m ( s ) t ha t the y ve r i fied
. 2
. Fo r Pr

e s cr i p t iv e Pa t h : A l l w i n do ws , doo rs , an d sky l igh ts s hal l mee t o r e x cee d ENE RG Y S T

AR Prog ra m Re qui rem e n ts f o r Re si d en t i a l W i n d o ws , Do o rs , an d S ky ligh ts – V e rs io n 5 .0 a s ou t l ine d a t w ww . ene rg ys t a r. g o v/w indo ws . Fo r Pe rf o r m a n c e Pa t

h : A l l w indo ws , doo rs a n d s ky li g h ts s ha l l m ee t o r e x cee d t h e comp o nen t U -f acto r a n d SH G C requi rem e n ts sp e ci fie d i n t h e 200 9 IECC – Tabl e 4 0 2
. 1
. 1
. If n o N FRC ra t in g i s no te d o n t h e w i n do w o r i n p ro d uct li te ra t u re ( e . g ., fo r si te - bu i l t f e n e s tra t i on ), s ele ct t h e U -fa cto r a n d SH G C valu e fro m tab l e s 4 an d 14 , res pe ct i v el y , i n 20 0 5 ASH RAE F u n dam e n t a l s , C h ap t e r 31
. S el e ct t h e high e s t U -f

acto r a n d SH G C v alu e am o n g t h e va l ue s l i s t e d f o r t h e kno w n w indo w cha ra ct e r is t i c s ( e . g ., fram e ty pe , n u m be r o f pan e s , g la s s c olo r, an d p re s e nc e of lo w- e c o a t i n g ). No te t ha t t h e U -fa cto r re qui rem e n t app l ie s to a l l f e n e s tra t i o n w hi l e t h e SH G C onl y app l ie s to t h e g la z e d po rt io n . T h e fo l lo w in g e xcep t io n s a ppl y : a . An a rea -weig h t e d a ve rag e o f f ene s tra t i o n p rod u cts s h al l b e p e r mi tte d to s a t i s fy th e U -f acto r requi rem e n ts ; b
. An a rea -weigh t e d a ve rag e o f fen e s tra t i o n p ro du cts m o re t h a n 50 % g l a z e d sh a l l b e p e rm i t t e d to s a t i s fy t h e SH G C requi rem e n ts ;

# ENE R GY S TA R Qu a l i fi ed H o mes, Vers i on 3 ( R e v. 0 3 )

T h e rmal E n closure S ystem R at e r Ch e c k l i st c . 1 5 sq u a re fee t of gla z e d f e n e s tra t i o n pe r d well i n g u n i t sh a l l b e e x emp t fro m t h e U -f

a cto r an d SH G C requi re men ts , an d sha l l b e e x

clude d fro m a re a -weigh t e d a v e rag e s ca l cu l a te d u sin g a ) a n d b ) , a b o v e ; d
. O n e sid e - hi n ge d o p a q u e doo r as s em b l y u p to 2 4 s qua re f ee t i n a re a s h al l b e e x

emp t fro m t h e U -facto r req u i re men ts an d sha l l b e e x

clude d fro m a re a -weigh t e d a v e rag e s ca l cu l a te d u sin g a ) a n d b ) , a b o v e ; e . F en e s tra t io n u t ili z e d a s p a rt of a pa s si v e s ola r de s ig n sh a l l b e e x emp t fro m t h e U -fa cto r an d SH G C requi re m e n ts , an d s h al l b e e x

clud e d fro m a re a -weigh t e d a v e ra ge s ca l cu l a t e d u s in g a ) a n d b ), abo v e . E x emp t w indo ws shal l b e fac i n g w i t hi n 4 5 deg ree s o f t ru e s ou th an d di rect l y co u pl e d to t h e rm a l s to ra g e ma s s t ha t ha s a h ea t ca p a c i ty > 2 0 b t u /ft 3 x

o F an d p ro v ide d i n a ra t i o o f a t le a s t 3 sq . f t pe r sq . f

t. o f s o u th f

ac i n g f e n e s tra t i on . G ene rall y , t he r m a l m a s s ma t e ria l s w il l b e a t le a s t 2 ” t h i c k
. 3
. I ns u la t i o n l e v el s i n a ho m e s h al l mee t o r e x cee d t h e c om po nen t i ns u la t io n requi re m en ts i n t h e 2 0 0 9 I ECC - Tabl e 40 2
. 1
. 1
. T h e f ollo w in g e x

cep t io n s a p pl y : a . St eel -fram e c e il i n g s , walls , a n d fl o o rs s h al l m e e t t h e in s ul a t i o n re qui re m e n ts o f t h e 20 0 9 I ECC – Tabl e 402
. 2
. 5
. In C Z 1 an d 2 , t h e c o n t i n uo u s i n su l a t io n re qui rem e n ts i n t h i s t a bl e sha l l b e p e r m i tt e d to b e re d uce d to R - 3 fo r s tee l -fra m e wal l as s em b li e s w i th s t u d s s p ace d a t 2 4 ” o n c en t e r. T hi s e xcep t io n sh a l l no t a ppl y i f t h e a l t e r na t i v e c a lc u la t io n s i n d ) a re u sed ; b
. F o r c e il i ng s w i th a tt i c s p ac e s , R - 3 0 s h al l sa t i s fy th e req u i re m en t fo r R - 3 8 a n d R - 3 8 sha l l s a t is fy th e requ i re m en t f o r R 4 9 w he re ve r t h e fu l l h e igh t o f unc o mp re s s e d i ns u la t i o n a t t h e lo we r R - valu e e x t end s o v e r t h e wal l to p p la te a t t h e ea ves . T hi s e x

emp t i o n s hal l n o t ap p l y i f t h e a l t e r n a t i v e ca l c u la t i o n s i n d ) a re us e d ; c . F o r c e il i n g s w i t ho u t a tt i c s pa ces , R - 3 0 s h al l s a t i s fy t h e re qu i reme n t fo r an y req u i re d valu e abo v e R - 3 0 i f t h e d es i g n o f t h e ro of /c ei l in g a s se m bl y do e s no t p ro v id e su f fic i en t sp a c e f

o r t h e req u i re d in s ula t io n va l u e . T hi s e xemp t i o n sha l l b e li m i t e d to 50 0 sq u a re f

t
. o r 2 0 % o f t h e to t a l in s ula te d c ei l in g a rea , w hiche v e r i s l e ss . T h i s e x emp t io n s ha l l no t a ppl y i f t h e a l t e r n a t i ve c a l cu l a t i o n s i n d ) a re us e d ; d
. An al te r na t i ve e q ui val e n t U -fa cto r o r to t a l UA c a l cul a t i o n m ay als o b e u se d to d em o ns t ra te co m pl i an c e , a s fo llo ws : An a s s e mbl y w i th a U -fa cto r e qua l o r l e s s th a n s pe c i fi e d i n 2 00 9 I ECC Tabl e 40 2
. 1 .3 c o m p lie s . A to t a l b u il d in g t he rma l en ve l op e UA t ha t i s l e s s t h a n o r e qua l to t h e to ta l UA re su l t in g fro m t h e U -f acto rs i n Tab l e 402
. 1
. 3 al s o c o mp l ie s . T h e in s ula t i o n le v e l s o f a l l n on -fe n e s t ra t io n c o m pon e n ts ( i
. e ., c ei l in g s , walls , floo rs , a n d sl a bs ) ca n b e tra d e d o ff u s in g t h e UA app roac h un d e r bo th t h e P resc rip t i v e a n d t h e Pe r f o r ma n c e pa t h
. No t e t ha t fen e s tra t i o n p rod u cts ( i
. e ., w i ndo ws , sky l i gh ts , d o o rs ) sh a l l no t b e i n c lud e d i n t h i s c a lc ul a t io n . A l s o , no te t h a t w hil e cei l in g a n d s l a b i n su l a t i o n ca n b e inc l ude d i n trad e - o ff c al c u la t i o ns , t h e R - valu e m u s t m e e t o r e x cee d t h e min i m u m value s l i s t e d i n i t e m s 4 .1 t h ro ug h 4 .3 of t h e c h e ck l is t to p ro v id e a n e f f ect i v e t h e r m a l b reak , reg a rdl e s s o f t h e U A tradeo f fs c a l cul a t e d
. T h e UA ca l cu l a t i o n sh a l l b e d on e u s i n g a me t ho d c o n sis ten t w i th t h e AH RAE Ha ndbo o k of F und a me n t a l s an d s ha l l in c l u d e t h e t he rm a l b r id g i n g e f fe cts o f fra m in g m a t e ri a l s . T h e calc u la t io n fo r a s t ee l -fra m e en velo p e a s s e m b l y sha l l u s e a se ri e s - p a ra l le l pa th c a l c ula t i o n me t hod
. 4
. Co ns i s t e n t w i th t h e 200 9 IECC, s la b ed g e in s ula t io n i s onl y requi re d fo r s la b - on - g ra d e fl o o rs w i th a floo r su rfa c e l e s s t h a n 1 2 inc h e s b e lo w g rade
. S la b i ns u la t i o n sh a l l e x t en d to t h e to p of t h e sl a b to p ro v id e a c o m ple te t he r m a l b re a k
. If t h e to p ed g e of t h e in s ula t io n i s i ns tal l e d be t wee n t h e e x

t e r io r wal l a n d t h e edg e o f t h e in te r io r s lab , i t s h al l b e pe rmi tt e d to b e cu t a t a 45 - deg re e an g l e a wa y fro m th e ex t e r io r wall
. 5
. W he re a n i n su l a t e d wal l sep a ra t e s a ga ra ge , pa t i o , po rch , o r o t he r un c on d i t i o ne d sp a c e fro m t h e c on d i t i o ne d sp a c e o f t h e hou s e , s la b in s ul a t io n s h al l als o b e i ns tal l e d a t t h i s i n t e r fac e to p ro v i d e a t he rma l b rea k b e twee n t h e c o ndi t io n e d an d unc o ndi t io n e d sla b
. P o s t - t e n s i one d sl a b s w i th i n t eg ra t e d po rc h fo un d a t i o n s a re e x emp t e d fro m t hi s req u i re men t i n al l h o me s , a s a re po s t - t e n si o ne d sl a b s w i th in t e g ra te d ga rag e f ou n da t i o n s i n m u l t i -fa m i l y bui l di n gs , u n t i l fe as i bl e a rc h i te ct u ra l de tai l s ca n b e de ve l op e d
. 6
. F o r pu rpo s e s o f t hi s c he c kl i s t, a n a i r b a rr ie r i s de fin e d a s a n y du ra b l e so l i d ma t e ria l t ha t blo c ks ai r flo w be twee n co n di t ion e d sp a c e a n d u n co n di t i on e d s pa ce , i nc l ud i n g n e c e ssa ry s ea l i n g to b l o c k e x cessi v e a i r fl o w a t ed g e s a n d s ea m s a n d a de qua te sup p o rt to res i s t p os i t i ve a n d nega t i ve p re ssu re s w i t hou t d i spl a c e men t o r d a ma g e . EPA rec o mm e nd s , bu t do e s no t re qui re , r igi d ai r ba rr ie rs . O pen - c e l l o r c l os e d - c e l l f o a m sha l l ha ve a fin i sh e d t hi c k n e s s > 5
. 5 ” o r 1
. 5 ”, re s pe ct i v el y , to qual i fy a s a n ai r ba rr i e r unl e s s t h e man u fact u re r ind i c a te s o t he r w i se . If fle xibl e ai r ba rr i e rs s u c h a s hou s e w ra p a re u s ed , t he y s h al l b e full y sea l e d a t a l l se a m s a n d e dg e s a n d sup p o rt e d u si n g fas t e ne rs w i th ca p s o r h e ad s > 1 ” di a me te r u nl e s s o t h e r w is e i n di c a t e d b y t h e ma n u fa ct u re r. F l e xibl e a i r b a rr ie rs sh a l l n o t b e mad e o f k ra ft p ape r, pa p e r- b a se d p rod u cts , o r o t he r ma t e ria l s tha t a re e a s il y to r n . If p o l ye t hy len e i s u s ed , i ts t h i ck n e s s s h al l b e > 6 m il
. 7
. B an d jo i s ts a re cu rren t l y e x emp t fro m in t e rio r ai r ba rr i e r re qu i reme n t i n Cl i ma te Z on e s 4 t h ru 8 , bu t h i g h l y e nco u ra g e d b y EPA a s a be s t p ra ct i ce . 8
. Up to 10 % o f t h e to ta l e x t e r io r wal l su rfa c e a re a i s e x emp t e d fro m th e red u ce d t h e r m a l b ri d gin g req u i re men ts to a c c o mm oda te t he r m a l fins , w in g walls , ma s o n ry fi rep l ac e s o r s i m i la r a rc h i t e ct u ra l de tai l s .

# ENE R GY S TA R Qu a l i fi ed H o mes, Vers i on 3 ( R e v. 0 3 )

T h e rmal E n closure S ystem R at e r Ch e c k l i st E x a m pl e s o f su p po rts n e c e s s a ry f o r pe rman e n t c on t a ct in c lud e s t a v e s fo r b a tt i n s ula t io n o r ne tt in g fo r b lo w n - i n i n su la t io n . 9. B a tts tha t c o m p le t e l y fi l l a ca v i ty enc l os e d o n a l l si x sid e s m a y b e u s e d to mee t t h i s requi re men t w i t hou t t h e nee d fo r s up p o rts , e v e n t h o ug h s o m e c o mp re s s i o n w il l o c c u r d u e to t h e e xce s s i n s u la t i on , a s l o n g a s t h e c o mp re ss e d val u e mee ts o r e xcee d s t h e req u i re d in s ula t io n le vel
. S pec i fi c all y , t h e fo l lo w in g ba tts ma y b e u s e d i n si x - side d floo r ca v i t i e s : R - 1 9 b a tts i n 2 x 6 ca v i t ie s , R - 3 0 ba tts i n 2 x8 ca v i t i e s , R - 3 8 ba tts i n 2 x 1 0 ca v i t i es , a n d R - 4 9 ba tts i n 2 x 1 2 ca v i t ie s . F o r e x ample , i n a ho m e tha t requi re s R 1 9 fl oo r i ns u la t ion , a n R - 3 0 ba tt ma y b e u s e d i n a si x- side d 2 x8 floo r ca v i ty . 10
. F ull y- a l ign e d ai r ba rr i e rs m a y b e ins t a lle d a t t h e e x t e r io r su r

f a c e o f t h e floo r c a v i ty i n a l l Cl ima te Z on e s i f t h e i n su l a t i o n i s ins tal l e d i n c o n t a ct w i th t h i s ex t e r io r ai r ba rr i e r a n d t h e pe r i me t e r ri m an d b an d jo i s ts o f t h e fl o o r c a v i ty a re a l s o se a l e d a n d ins u la t e d to c o mpl y w i th t h e ful l y- alig n e d a i r b a rr ie r req u i re m e n ts f o r walls
. 11
. S lope d a tt i c s s h al l mee t t h e a i r ba rr ie r req u i re men ts fo r wall s an d a re de fine d a s s l ope d su r fac e s se p a ra t in g c ond i t i o ne d a tti cs fro m a mbi e n t c o nd i t io n s . In con tra s t, s l op e d c e ili n g s sha l l mee t t h e ai r b a rr ie r re qui re m en ts fo r ce i li n g s a n d a re d efi ne d a s slo p e d s u rfa ce s se p a ra t i n g condi t io n e d h o us e sp a c e fro m amb i en t c on d i t i o n s ( e . g ., s l ope d c ei l in g a t t h e p e r i me t e r o f a bed ro o m ). 12
. T h e mi n im u m de s ig n a t e d R - valu e s mus t b e a chie v e d re g a rdle s s o f t h e t rad e - of f s de te r m i ne d u s i n g a n e qui va l en t U -fa cto r o r UA al t e r n a t i v e ca l c u la t i on . N o te t h a t i f t h e mi n im u m de s i gna t e d val u e s a re us e d , t he y m u s t b e c o m pe n sa te d w i th high e r value s el s e w he re u s in g a n e q ui valen t U -facto r o r UA a l t e r nat i ve ca l c u la t i o n i n o rd e r to me e t t h e o v e ra l l i ns u la t io n requi re me n ts o f t h e 200 9 IECC. A l s o , n o te t ha t t h es e req u i re m en ts c a n b e me t b y u si n g an y a va i la b l e s t ra t eg y , s uc h a s a ra i se d - he e l t russ , al t e r n a te fra mi n g t ha t p ro v id e s adequa te sp a ce , a n d /o r hi g h - den s i ty ins u la t i on . In c l i m a te zone s o n e t h ro u g h t h re e , on e o p t io n t ha t w il l wo rk fo r m o s t h o m e s i s to us e 2 x 6 fra m ing , a n R - 2 1 h igh - d e n si ty b a tt , an d a w in d b a f fl e t h a t o nl y re q ui re s 0
. 5 ” of clea ran c e . 13
. I ns u la t e d s h ea t h in g ra t e d f o r wa t e r p ro t ect io n ca n b e u s e d a s a wa t e r re s is tan t b a rr ie r i f a l l s e a m s a re tape d an d se a l e d
. If t h e ins u la t e d s h ea t h in g i s n o t ra te d fo r wa t e r p ro t e ct io n , i t s ha l l b e a tt a che d d i re ct l y o v e r a wa t e r - res i s t i v e ba r rie r a n d s h ea t h i n g . In addi t ion , i t s ha l l p ro v id e t h e re qui re d R - valu e a s d e m on s tra te d t h rou g h e i t he r t e s t i n g i n a c co rd a nc e w i th AS T M C 136 3 o r b y a tta i nin g t h e req u i re d R - valu e a t i ts mi n i m u m t h i c k n e ss . If no n - i n s u la t e d s tr u ct u ra l shea t hin g i s us e d a t co r n e rs , a d vanc e d fram i n g de tai l s l i s t e d u n de r re qui re men t 4
. 4 .5 s ha l l b e m e t f o r thos e wal l s e ct i on s . Ri gi d i n sul a t io n , i f us e d , ma y b e i n s t a l le d o n ei t he r th e in t e r io r o r e x

t e r io r s i d e o f t h e wal l
. 14
. St ee l fra m in g sh a l l mee t th e re duc e d t h e r m a l b r i dg i n g re qui re men ts b y c om p l y in g w i th i t e m 4
. 4 .1 o f t h e c he c k l is t
. 15
. Do uble -wal l fra m in g i s de fin e d a s an y fra m i n g me t h o d t ha t en s u re s a con t in u ou s l a ye r of i n sul a t i o n c o v e r in g t h e s t u d s to a t lea s t t h e R - valu e req u i re d i n S ect i o n 4
. 4 .1 o f t h e c he c k l is t, su c h a s o f f se t do u bl e - s t u d wall s , a l ig n e d d ou b l e - s t u d wal l s w i th con t inu o u s i n su l a t i o n b e twee n t h e a dja c en t s t u d f ac e s , o r s i ngle - s t u d wall s w i th 2 x 2 o r 2 x3 c ro s s -fra m i ng . In a l l ca s es , ins u la t io n sh a l l fil l t h e en t i re wal l ca v i ty fro m th e in te r io r to e x t e r io r sh e a t h i n g e x

cep t a t w in d o ws , doo rs an d o t h e r p e ne tra ti ons . 16
. A l l e x

t e r io r c o r ne rs s ha l l b e co ns tr u ct e d to al l o w acc e s s f o r t h e i n s ta lla t io n o f > R - 6 i n s u la t i o n t h a t e x t end s to t h e e x

t e r io r wal l she a t hi n g . E x

ample s o f co m p lia n c e op t io n s i n cl u d e s t a nda rd - de n si ty in s ul a t io n w i th al t e rna t i v e fra min g tec h ni q ues , s u c h a s usi n g th re e s t u d s p e r co rne r, o r hig h - de n si ty i ns u la t i o n ( e . g ., sp ra y fo a m ) w i th s t an d a rd fra min g t e chn i qu e s . 17
. He ade rs sh a l l b e m i ni m u m R - 3 fo r Cl i ma te Z on e s 1 t h roug h 4 an d R - 5 fo r C l i m a te Z o ne s 5 t h ro u g h 8 u si n g c o n t i n uo u s r ig i d ins u la t io n she a t h i ng , SIP he ade rs , o t h e r p re f ab r i ca te d i n sul a t e d h ea d e rs , si n gl e - m e m be r o r two - m e mbe r h ea d e rs w i th ins u la t io n ei t h e r i n b e twee n o r o n o n e si d e , o r a n eq u i vale n t a s se m bl y , e x cep t w he re a fra min g p l a n p ro v ide d b y t h e b u i l de r, a rch i t e ct, d e sig n e r, o r e n gi ne e r ind i ca te s t h a t fu l l - d e p th s o li d h e ade rs a re t h e onl y a c c ep t a b l e op t io n . T h e ra t e r ne e d no t e valua te t h e s t ruct u ra l n e c e s si ty o f t h e de tai l s i n t h e fra m in g pla n to qu a li fy t h e h om e . A ls o , t h e fra m i n g p la n n e e d onl y enc o mp a s s t h e d e t a i l s i n q u e s t io n an d n o t n ec e s s a r il y t h e e n t i re h o m e . R - va l u e req u i re m e n t re f e rs to m a nu f

a ct u re r‟ s n o min a l ins u la t io n va l ue . 18
. Fram i n g a t w indo ws s h al l b e l imi te d to a ma ximu m o f on e p ai r o f k in g s t u d s a n d on e pai r ja c k s t u d s p e r w indo w open i n g to sup p o rt t h e h e ade r a n d w indo w sill
. Ad d i t i o na l j a c k s t u d s s h al l b e u se d o n l y a s nee d e d fo r s tr uct u ra l s uppo r t an d c ripp l e s tu d s onl y a s ne e de d to mai n t ai n o n - cen te r s pa c in g o f s t u d s . 19
. I ns u la t i o n sha l l r u n be h in d in te r io r/e x t e r io r wal l i n t e rse ct io n s us i n g l adde r bl o c k ing , fu l l l en g th 2 ” x 6 ” o r 1 ” x 6 ” fu rr in g b e h i n d t h e fi rs t pa rt i t io n s t ud , d rywal l cli p s , o r o t he r e qui va l en t a l t e rna t i ve . 20
. V e rt i c a l fram i n g m e mbe rs s h a l l e i t he r b e o n - c en t e r o r h a v e a n a l t e r n a t i v e s tr u ct u ra l pu rp os e ( e . g ., fra min g m e m b e rs a t t h e edg e o f p re -f

a b r i ca te d p a ne l s ) t ha t i s a p pa re n t to t h e ra te r o r do c u m en te d i n a fra min g p la n p ro v i d e d b y t h e bu i lde r , a rc h i t ect , des i gne r, o r e ng i nee r. T h e ra t e r nee d n o t e valua te t h e s t r uct u ra l n e ce s si ty o f t h e d e t a il s i n t h e fra mi n g pl a n to qua l i f y t h e hom e . A l so , t h e fra mi n g p l a n nee d onl y e n c o mp a s s t h e d e tail s i n qu e s t i o n a n d no t n e ce s sa r il y t h e e n t i re ho m e . No mo re t h a n 5 % o f st u d s m a y lac k a n ap p a ren t o r d o c u men te d s t ruct u r a l pu r p o se , w hic h i s eq u i val e n t to on e v e rt i ca l s t u d fo r e ve ry 3 0 lin e a r fe e t o f wall , a s s u min g 1 6 ” o . c . s t u d sp a ci n g . 21
. Ligh t tu b e s t ha t d o n o t i n c l ud e a g a ske te d le n s a re req u i re d to b e se a le d an d in s ul a t e d > R - 6 fo r t h e l eng t h o f t h e t ub e . 22
. In Cl i ma te Z o ne s 1 t h ro u g h 3 , s t u cc o o ve r rig i d i ns u la t i o n t i gh t l y s ea l e d to w indo ws a n d d oo rs sh a l l b e co n s i de re d e q u i valen t to s e al i n g ro ug h op e nin g s w i th ca u l k o r fo a m . 23
. E x

ampl e s o f d u ra b l e c o ve rs i n clu d e , b u t a re n o t l i m i te d to , p re -fab r i ca te d c o v e rs w i th in teg ra l i n su l a t i o n , r i g i d fo a m adhe re d to co v e r w i th adh e si ve , o r b a tt i nsu l a t i o n m e ch a n i ca l l y fas te n e d to t h e co v e r ( e . g ., u sin g b ol ts , me ta l w i re , o r me ta l s tra ppin g )
. EPA Form 5900 - 176 The government estimates the average time needed to fill out this form is 0.45 hours and welcomes suggestions for reducing this effort. Send comments (referencing OMB Control Number) to the Director, Collection Strategies Division, U.S. EPA (2822T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20460
.