Code of Vermont Rules › Agency 31 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE › Sub-Agency 000 - GENERAL › Chapter 004 - VERMONT RESIDENTIAL BUILDING ENERGY STANDARDS (RBES) AMENDMENTS › Section 31 000 004 - VERMONT RESIDENTIAL BUILDING ENERGY STANDARDS (RBES) AMENDMENTS

Current through June, 2024
Preface
delete and replace Preface as follows:
Introduction
The 2020 Vermont Residential Building Energy Standards (RBES)
				  is based on the 2015 Vermont Residential Building Energy Standards, which are
				  based on the International Energy Conservation Code® (IECC) 2015 edition.
				  The 2020 RBES also include IECC 2018 updates.
This comprehensive energy conservation code establishes
				  minimum regulations for energy efficient buildings using prescriptive and
				  performance-related provisions. It is founded on broad-based principles that
				  make possible the use of new materials and new energy efficient designs.
The International Energy Conservation Code provisions provide
				  many benefits, among which is the model code development process that offers an
				  international forum for energy professionals to discuss performance and
				  prescriptive code requirements. This model code also encourages international
				  consistency in the application of provisions.
Development
This 2020 RBES is founded on principles intended to establish
				  provisions consistent with the scope of an energy conservation code that
				  adequately conserves energy; provisions that do not unnecessarily increase
				  construction costs; provisions that do not restrict the use of new materials,
				  products or methods of construction; and provisions that do not give
				  preferential treatment to particular types or classes of materials, products or
				  methods of construction.
Background
The Vermont Residential Building Energy Standards (RBES) was
				  adopted by statute (
				  30
				  V.S.A. §
										51 ) in 1997. Act 89 passed in
				  2013, established a Stretch Code defined as a building energy code for
				  residential buildings that achieves greater energy savings than the RBES. The
				  stretch code shall be available for adoption by municipalities under 24 V.S.A.
				  § 117 and shall apply in proceedings under
				  10 V.S.A. §
										151 (Act 250).
Update Process
The Residential Building Energy Standards statute requires
				  that revisions to the RBES are made promptly after the issuance of updated
				  standards under the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The
				  Department of Public Service (PSD) is required to convene stakeholders that
				  include mortgage lenders, builders, building designers, utility
				  representatives, and other persons with experience and expertise prior to the
				  adoption of a revised RBES to provide recommendations.
The 2020 RBES is based on the language in the 2015 edition of
				  the IECC and includes all of the efficiency improvements included in IECC 2018
				  as well as some of the improvements proposed for IECC 2021 to insure continued
				  progression in efficiency in the Vermont RBES. The 2020 RBES also provides a
				  new "Package Plus Points" approach to code compliance. (Previous code
				  compliance was achieved through a "prescriptive package" approach). The
				  addition of "points" provides builders and designers greater flexibility in
				  complying with RBES. The Vermont PSD held a series of stakeholder meetings in
				  2018 and 2019 to gather feedback on proposed changes to RBES. The revisions
				  presented in this document were modified based on input received from these
				  meetings.
EFFECTIVE USE OF THE 2020 VERMONT RESIDENTIAL BUILDING ENERGY
				  STANDARDS
The 2020 Vermont Residential Building Energy Standards (RBES)
				  is a code that regulates minimum energy conservation requirements for new
				  buildings as well as additions, alterations, renovations, and repairs to
				  existing buildings. The 2020 RBES addresses energy conservation requirements
				  for all aspects of energy uses in residential construction, including heating
				  and ventilating, lighting, water heating, and power usage for appliances and
				  building systems.
The 2020 RBES is a design document. For example, before
				  constructing a building, the designer must determine the minimum insulation R
				  -values and fenestration U -factors for the building exterior envelope. The
				  RBES sets forth minimum requirements for exterior envelope insulation, window
				  and door U -factors and SHGC ratings, duct insulation, lighting and power
				  efficiency, mechanical ventilation, and water distribution insulation.
Arrangement and Format of the 2020 RBES
The 2020 RBES, like other codes published by ICC, is arranged
				  and organized to follow sequential steps that generally occur during a plan
				  review or inspection. The 2020 RBES is divided into six different parts:
Chapters
Subjects
1-2
Scope, Administration and Definitions
3
General Requirements
4
Residential Energy Efficiency
5
Existing Buildings
6
Referenced Standards
Italicized Terms
Selected terms set forth in Chapter 2: Definitions, are
				  italicized where they appear in code text. Such terms are not italicized where
				  the definition set forth in Chapter 2 does not impart the intended meaning in
				  the use of the term. The terms selected have definitions that the user should
				  read carefully to facilitate better understanding of the code.
The following is a chapter-by-chapter synopsis of the scope
				  and intent of the provisions of the 2020 Vermont Residential Building Energy
				  Standards:
Chapter 1 : Scope and
				Administration. This chapter contains provisions for the application,
				enforcement and administration of subsequent requirements of the code. In
				addition to establishing the scope of the code, Chapter 1 identifies which
				buildings and structures come under its purview. Chapter 1 is largely concerned
				with maintaining "due process of law" in enforcing the energy conservation
				criteria contained in the body of this code. Only through careful observation
				of the administrative provisions can the code official or other authority
				having jurisdiction, where one exists, reasonably expect to demonstrate that
				"equal protection under the law" has been provided.
Chapter 2Definitions. Chapter 2 is the
				repository of the definitions of terms used in the body of the code. Codes are
				technical documents and every word, term and punctuation mark can impact the
				meaning of the code text and the intended results. The code often uses terms
				that have a unique meaning in the code and the code meaning can differ
				substantially from the ordinarily understood meaning of the term as used
				outside of the code.
The terms defined in Chapter 2 are deemed to be of prime
				  importance in establishing the meaning and intent of the code text. The user of
				  the code should be familiar with and consult this chapter because the
				  definitions are essential to the correct interpretation of the code and the
				  user may not be aware that a term is defined.
Where understanding of a term's definition is especially key
				  to or necessary for understanding of a particular code provision, the term is
				  shown in italics wherever it appears in the code. This is true only for those
				  terms that have a meaning that is unique to the code. In other words, the
				  generally understood meaning of a term or phrase might not be sufficient or
				  consistent with the meaning prescribed by the code; therefore, it is essential
				  that the code-defined meaning be known.
Guidance regarding tense, gender and plurality of defined
				  terms as well as guidance regarding terms not defined in this code is provided.
Chapter 3 General
				Requirements. Chapter 3 provides interior design conditions that are used as a
				basis for assumptions in heating and cooling load calculations and provides
				basic material requirements for insulation materials and fenestration
				materials, and provides standards for residential mechanical ventilation and
				combustion safety.
Chapter 4
				Residential Energy Efficiency.Chapter 4 contains the energy-efficiency-related
				requirements for the design and construction of residential buildings regulated
				under this code. It should be noted that the definition of a residential
				building in this code is unique for this code. In this code, a residential
				building is an R-2, R-3 or R-4 buildings three stories or less in height. All
				other R-1 buildings, including residential buildings greater than three stories
				in height, are regulated by the energy conservation requirements in the Vermont
				Commercial Building Energy Standards (CBES). The applicable portions of a
				residential building must comply with the provisions within this chapter for
				energy efficiency. This chapter defines requirements for the portions of the
				building and building systems that impact energy use in new residential
				construction and promotes the effective use of energy. The provisions within
				the chapter promote energy efficiency in the building envelope, the heating and
				cooling system, lighting and the service water heating system of the building.
				Vermont has adopted a two-tiered code structure with a "base code" that applies
				statewide, and a "Stretch Code" that is more stringent. The Stretch Code
				applies to all Act 250 development projects and is also available for
				municipalities that choose to adopt a higher energy standard.
Chapter 5 Existing Buildings.Chapter 5 of
				each set of provisions contains the technical energy efficiency requirements
				for existing buildings. Chapter 5 provisions address the maintenance of
				buildings in compliance with the code as well as how additions, alterations,
				repairs and changes of occupancy need to be addressed from the standpoint of
				energy efficiency. Specific provisions are provided for historic buildings.
Chapter 6 Referenced Standards.
				The code contains numerous references to standards that are used to regulate
				materials and methods of construction. Chapter 6 contains a comprehensive list
				of all standards that are referenced in the code. The standards are part of the
				code to the extent of the reference to the standard. Compliance with the
				referenced standard is necessary for compliance with this code. By providing
				specifically adopted standards, the construction and installation requirements
				necessary for compliance with the code can be readily determined. The basis for
				code compliance is, therefore, established and available on an equal basis to
				the code official, or other authority having jurisdiction, where one exists,
				contractor, designer and owner.
Chapter 6 is organized in a manner that makes it easy to
				  locate specific standards. It lists all of the referenced standards,
				  alphabetically, by acronym of the promulgating agency of the standard. Each
				  agency's standards are then listed in either alphabetical or numeric order
				  based upon the standard identification. The list also contains the title of the
				  standard; the edition (date) of the standard referenced; any addenda included
				  as part of the ICC adoption; and the section or sections of this code that
				  reference the standard.
Marginal Markings
Solid vertical lines in the margins within the body of the
				  code indicate a technical change from the requirements of the IECC 2015 and
				  2018 edition. Vermont specific additions and changes are designated through
				  dotted lines in the margin. Deletion indicators in the form of an arrow are
				  provided in the margin where an entire section, paragraph, exception or table
				  has been deleted or an item in a list of items or a table has been
				  deleted.
Abbreviations and Notations
The following is a list of common abbreviations and units of
				  measurement used in this code. Some of the abbreviations are for terms defined
				  in Chapter 2. Others are terms used in various tables and text of the
				  code.
AFUE Annual fuel utilization efficiency
bhp Brake horsepower (fans)
Btu British thermal unit
Btu/h-ft[2] Btu per hour per square foot
C-factor See Chapter 2--Definitions
CDD Cooling degree days
cfm Cubic feet per minute
cfm/ft [2] Cubic feet per minute per square foot
ci Continuous insulation
COP Coefficient of performance
DCV Demand control ventilation
°C Degrees Celsius
°F Degrees Fahrenheit
DWHR Drain water heat recovery
DX Direct expansion
[E] c Combustion efficiency
[E] v Ventilation efficiency
[E] t Thermal efficiency
EER Energy efficiency ratio
EF Energy factor
ERI Energy Rating index
F -factor See Chapter 2--Definitions
FDD Fault detection and diagnostics
FEG Fan efficiency grade
FL Full load
ft [2] Square foot
gpm Gallons per minute
HDD Heating degree days
HERS Home Energy Rating System
hp Horsepower
HSPF Heating seasonal performance factor
HVAC Heating, ventilating and air conditioning
IEER Integrated energy efficiency ratio
IPLV Integrated Part Load Value
Kg/m [2]Kilograms per square meter
kW Kilowatt
LPD Light power density (lighting power allowance)
L/s Liters per second
Ls Liner system
m [2]square meters
MERV Minimum efficiency reporting value
NAECA National Appliance Energy Conservation Act
NPLV Nonstandard Part Load Value
Pa Pascal
PF Projection factor
pcf Pounds per cubic foot
PSD Department of Public Service (Vermont)
psf Pounds per square foot
PTAC Packaged terminal air conditioner
PTHP Packaged terminal heat pump
R -value See Chapter 2--Definitions
SCOP Sensible coefficient of performance
SEER Seasonal energy efficiency ratio
SHGC Solar Heat Gain Coefficient
SPVAC Single packaged vertical air conditioner
SPVHP Single packaged vertical heat pump
SRI Solar reflectance index
SWHF Service water heat recovery factor
U -factor See Chapter 2--Definitions
VAV Variable air volume
VRF Variable refrigerant flow
VT Visible transmittance
W Watts
w.
c.
Water column
w.
g.
Water gauge
CHAPTER
				1 ADMINISTRATION
PART 1
-- SCOPE AND APPLICATION
Section R101. Scope and General Requirements.
delete and replace R101.1 Title.
This code shall be known as the 2020 Vermont Residential
				  Building Energy Standards (RBES) and shall be cited as such. It is referred to
				  herein as "this code."
delete and replace R101.2 Scope.
This code applies to residential buildings and the building
				  sites and associated systems and equipment, including one family dwellings, two
				  family dwellings, and multi-family housing three stories or less in
				  height.
While many sections of this code (e.g., inspections, review
				  of construction documents, compliance, etc.) do not pertain to most of Vermont
				  that lacks code officials, these sections are included to provide guidance for
				  those jurisdictions that do have a code official or other authority having
				  jurisdiction.
delete and replace R101.5.2 Exempt buildings.
The following buildings, or portions thereof, shall be exempt
				  from the provisions of this code:
1.
				Low Energy Use Buildings. Those with a peak design rate of energy usage less
				than 3.4 Btu/h. ft [2] (10.7 W/m [2)] or 1.0 watt/ft [2] (10.7 W/m [2)] of
				floor area for space conditioning purposes.
2. Unconditioned Buildings. Those that do not
				contain conditioned space.
3.
				Mobile homes. Homes subject to Title VI of the National Manufactured Housing
				Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (
				42 U.S.C. §§
												5401 -. 5426). On-site constructed basements
				and crawlspaces must comply with this code.
4. Hunting camps. Residential buildings shall
				not include hunting camps.
5.
				Summer camps. Residential buildings constructed for non-winter occupation with
				only a biomass (wood) or other on-site renewable heating system.
6. Yurts with only a biomass (wood) or other
				on-site renewable heating and hot water system.
7. Owner-built homes. Residential
				construction by an owner, if all of the following apply:
7.1. The owner of the residential
				construction is the builder, as defined in
				30
				V.S.A §
													51(a)(1), and;
7.2. The residential construction
				is used as a dwelling by the owner, and;
7.3. The owner in fact directs the details of
				construction with regard to the installation of materials not in compliance
				with the RBES, and;
7.4. The owner
				discloses in writing to a prospective buyer, before entering into a binding
				purchase and sales agreement, with respect to the nature and extent of any
				noncompliance with the RBES.
Any statement or certificate given to a prospective buyer
				  shall itemize how the home does not comply with RBES and shall itemize which
				  measures do not meet the RBES in effect at the time construction commenced. Any
				  certificate given under this subsection shall be recorded in the land records
				  where the property is located and sent to the Department of Public Service
				  (PSD), within 30 days following sale of the property by the owner. A
				  certificate that itemizes how the home does not comply with RBES is available
				  from the PSD.
delete and replace R101.8 Compliance options.
There are three thermal efficiency compliance options:
1. Package Plus Points: For the Base Code,
				Table R402.2.1 lists the options for insulation and fenestration packages.
				Table R402.1.2.2 lists the additional points required for compliance based on
				building square footage, and Table R402.1.2.3 lists the components and
				respective point values to be used to meet the point requirement in Table
				R402.1.2.2. For the Stretch Code, Table R407.2.1.1 lists three options for
				insulation and fenestration packages, Table R407.2.1.2 lists the required
				additional points for compliance based on building square footage, and Table
				R407.2.1.3 lists the components and respective point values to be used to meet
				the point requirement in Table R407.2.1.2.
2. RES check [TM:] The U.S. Department of
				Energy's REScheck [TM] software.
3.
				Home Energy Rating System (HERS): A HERS energy rating that demonstrates
				compliance with Section 406.4 for the Base Code or Section 407.2.2 for the
				Stretch Code. (All HERS Index values in this code are based on REM/Rate version
				15.7.)