Wecker says that some of the controversy in regard to the energy code could have been eliminated had there been better communication between the Department of Energy, which wrote the energy code, and the Department of Building Codes and Standards, which wrote the mechanical code. He also notes that installing mandatory mechanical ventilation will increase contractor revenue, so contractors can benefit. Now that builders have a choice about which code to implement, partially built homes are in limbo. There are many new homes already earmarked to go forward with the new code. Builders are left to decide whether or not to still include all the options mandated in the new code, or just include what was in the Category 1 code.
Inspectors are confused, contractors are confused.
The one positive side to this issue is that it's raised public awareness of the benefits of mechanical ventilation. Wecker notes that he's seen a general increase in the number of homeowners looking for a solution to their moisture problems. The following describes how contractors can comply with the 2000 Minnesota Energy Code. The supplemental ventilation is the total ventilation computed as above, minus the people ventilation rate. The sound rating is limited for surface-mounted fans to 1.0 sone, and for other fans, 1.5 sones.